Automated Sperm Manipulation System for ICSI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sperm manipulation in clinical and research settings are largely manual, making them skill-intensive and inefficient, especially for immobilizing multiple oocytes and sperm simultaneously, and lack automated tracking and manipulation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system integrating motorized positioning devices, imaging, and computer vision for real-time tracking and motion control to automate the manipulation of motile specimens, including a device for holding multiple oocytes and sperm, enabling automated tracking and manipulation under a microscope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual sperm manipulation is performed using a micropipette controlled by a joy stick, then the operator can physically tap and immobilize sperm under an optical microscope, but the procedure requires stringent skill requirements and is time-consuming due to the need to simultaneously monitor sperm motion and manually move the micropipette to tap the sperm tail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control of the micropipette with an automated motorized positioning system. The motorized positioner automatically tracks sperm motion and positions the micropipette tip to tap the sperm tail, eliminating the need for manual joy stick control and simultaneous coordination by the operator. This substitution of mechanical manual control with automated motorized control directly resolves the technical contradiction by improving ease of operation while reducing the skill requirements.
2Productivity
If a micropipette is used to tap and immobilize sperm, then sperm can be manipulated and aspirated, but the procedure is skill-intensive and inefficient for handling multiple oocytes and sperm simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs sperm manipulation tasks independently without requiring skilled manual operation. The motorized positioner automatically tracks sperm, positions the micropipette, and executes tapping motions based on computer vision feedback. This self-service capability allows the system to handle multiple oocytes and sperm efficiently without increasing skill requirements, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.
3Extent of automation
If pulsed laser is used to immobilize sperm in culture medium, then sperm immobilization can be achieved without manual micropipette control, but the method does not enable other operations such as aspiration and dispensation of sperm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the automated micropipette positioning system with the capability to perform multiple operations including immobilization, aspiration, and dispensation. The motorized positioner controls the micropipette to perform tapping for immobilization, while the same micropipette can be positioned to aspirate sperm into its interior space and dispense them into oocytes. This merging of multiple functions into a single automated system resolves the contradiction between extent of automation and adaptability by providing both automated immobilization and versatile manipulation operations.
4Extent of automation
If optical tweezers are used to move microscopic particles between different regions, then automated particle manipulation is achieved, but the system does not provide integrated tracking and manipulation capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system where the motorized positioner and micropipette serve multiple functions: tracking sperm motion, positioning the micropipette tip, performing tapping for immobilization, aspiration of sperm, and dispensation into oocytes. The computer vision system provides integrated tracking that works with the motorized positioning. This multi-functional universal system resolves the contradiction by providing automated manipulation with integrated tracking, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate specialized systems.
5Extent of automation
If dielectrophoresis fields are used for extracting and separating microscopic particles, then automated particle separation is achieved, but the system does not enable integrated manipulation and tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces dielectrophoresis field-based separation with a motorized mechanical positioning system that uses computer vision tracking to guide the micropipette to specific sperm and oocytes. This mechanical substitution provides automated manipulation with the versatility to perform multiple operations (immobilization, aspiration, dispensation) while maintaining adaptability to handle different cell types and manipulation requirements, resolving the contradiction between automation extent and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to systems and methods for automated, computer-controlled, tracking and manipulation of motile specimen. The systems and methods of the present invention are suited for tracking and manipulating sperm, particularly for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedures. The present invention also relates also to devices for holding motile cells, such as sperm, and non-motile cells, such as oocytes. The device of the present invention comprises a sealed chamber having an air outlet, one well for the motile cells, and another well for non-motile cells.