Embryo Quality Evaluation via Multi-Stage Movement Feature Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embryo quality evaluation techniques for IVF, such as PTL 1, are insufficient in accuracy as they rely solely on changes in embryo shape at the 1-cell stage, failing to distinguish high-quality embryos effectively, which limits the prediction of embryonic development potential and pregnancy success.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that captures and analyzes the movement of embryos across multiple cell stages using image analysis, specifying motion vectors and calculating movement feature values to evaluate embryo quality accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only changes in embryo shape at the 1-cell stage are used for evaluation, then the evaluation process is simple, but the prediction accuracy of embryo quality is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from evaluating only spatial changes (shape) at a single time point to evaluating temporal changes (movement over time) across multiple cell stages. This adds the time dimension to the evaluation, enabling measurement of intracytoplasmic movement patterns that correlate with embryo quality without significantly increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the evaluation parameter from static shape characteristics to dynamic movement characteristics. By measuring intracytoplasmic movement through image analysis of embryos at multiple cell stages (2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell), the system captures temporal dynamics that provide more accurate quality prediction while maintaining a relatively simple evaluation framework
2Measurement precision
If multiple cell stages are analyzed to improve prediction accuracy, then the measurement precision increases, but the complexity of the evaluation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the evaluation process into distinct cell stage intervals (1-cell to 2-cell, 2-cell to 4-cell, 4-cell to 8-cell), analyzing movement characteristics at each transition. This segmentation allows comprehensive multi-stage evaluation while organizing the complexity into manageable, standardized analysis units that can be processed systematically
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image analysis to create digital representations of embryo movement patterns across multiple cell stages. By capturing and analyzing images at standardized intervals, the system replicates the evaluation process across different time points without requiring physical manipulation or complex experimental setups, thereby increasing precision while controlling system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an information processing device including: an analysis unit that specifies a movement in a region-of-interest relating to an embryo on a plurality of images using the plurality of images including the embryo captured in a time series manner during periods corresponding to a plurality of cell stages; a feature value calculation unit that calculates a movement feature value relating to an inside of the embryo on the basis of the specified movement; and a presentation control unit that controls a presentation of the movement feature values acquired during periods corresponding to at least two cell stages among the plurality of cell stages in order to evaluate a quality of the embryo.