Biocompatible Microcarriers for Precise Embryo Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for infertility treatment, such as IVF and ICSI, result in low implantation and pregnancy rates due to invasive procedures and low precision, leading to high economic and social costs, while methods like GIFT are invasive and have low reproducibility.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using biocompatible carriers, such as microrobots and nanorobots, to releasably connect and move gametes, zygotes, and embryos in fluids, guided by external fields or chemical stimuli, ensuring minimal invasiveness and high precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive surgical procedures like laparoscopy are used for GIFT/ZIFT, then implantation rates improve, but tissue damage and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surgical instruments (laparoscope, catheters) with a magnetic field-based system. Magnetic particles attached to gametes/embryos enable non-contact manipulation and positioning, eliminating the need for invasive mechanical insertion and reducing tissue trauma while maintaining precise control for high implantation rates
Solution Approach 2:
Magnetic particles serve as intermediaries between the external magnetic field and the gametes/embryos. These particles are attached to the biological material and mediate the interaction, allowing external control without direct mechanical contact, thus reducing tissue damage while enabling precise positioning for improved implantation
2Measurement precision
If macroscopic imaging and manipulation tools are used for laparoscopy, then precise positioning is achieved, but invasiveness and surgical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces macroscopic mechanical manipulation tools with a magnetic field-based control system. Magnetic particles respond to external magnetic fields for precise positioning without requiring complex surgical instruments, cameras, or invasive catheters, thereby maintaining positioning precision while dramatically reducing device and procedural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field system serves multiple functions: it attaches to gametes/embryos, positions them precisely, transports them through the reproductive tract, and releases them at the target location. This single multi-functional approach replaces multiple separate surgical tools and procedures, reducing overall complexity
3Reliability
If repeated embryo transfers are performed to improve pregnancy rates, then implantation success may improve, but economic and social costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent attaches magnetic particles to gametes or embryos before transfer, enabling precise positioning and optimal placement in the uterus or fallopian tube during a single transfer procedure. This preliminary preparation ensures high implantation potential from the first attempt, reducing the need for repeated transfers and associated time losses
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves significantly higher implantation and pregnancy rates by allowing controlled, non-invasive movement of gametes and embryos to optimal locations, reducing tissue damage and improving synchronization with endometrial preparation.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic particles with the motile cells introduced thereinto or attached thereto are moved in a directed manner by an application of an external magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
guided by external fields or chemical stimuli
Implementation Method 3
guided by external fields or chemical stimuli
Implementation Method 4
composed at least primarily of biocompatible materials
Data Source
AI summary
A method, as can be applied, for example, in in vivo reproduction and in healthcare, and to a device for realizing the controlled movement. The device can be used in a considerably less invasive manner and significantly higher implantation rates can be realized using the method. By the method, gametes and/or zygotes and/or embryos are releasably connected to one or more carriers, and the carriers, with or without gametes and/or zygotes and/or embryos, are moved in a directed manner autonomously or by external influences. The device includes at least one carrier having maximum dimensions in all spatial directions of 500 μm, which carrier is composed at least primarily of biocompatible materials.