Flared Oocyte Holding Pipette for Membrane Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipettes used in ICSI procedures face challenges in breaking the oocyte's cytoplasmic membrane due to its high elasticity, often requiring cytoplasmic aspiration, which can disorganize the mitotic spindle and affect cell division mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A novel oocyte-holding pipette with a flared end that uses suction to deform the oocyte, increasing its turgor and allowing the injection pipette to break the membrane without prior cytoplasmic aspiration, ensuring secure holding and minimizing structural damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cytoplasmic aspiration is performed with the injection pipette to break the membrane, then the membrane can be broken for sperm release, but the cytoplasm becomes disorganized and the mitotic spindle arrangement is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The holding pipette performs preliminary deformation of the oocyte by suction before the injection procedure. This pre-deformation increases membrane tension and turgor, making the membrane more susceptible to breaking during injection without requiring aggressive cytoplasmic aspiration, thereby preserving cytoplasm organization
Solution Approach 2:
The holding pipette acts as an intermediary tool that prepares the oocyte membrane for injection. By using a specialized flared end configuration to deform and tension the membrane beforehand, it facilitates easier membrane breaking by the injection pipette without needing to aspirate cytoplasm
2Ease of operation
If conventional pipettes are used without deformation, then the oocyte is held by suction, but the membrane remains too elastic to break without cytoplasmic aspiration
Solution Approach 1:
The holding pipette changes the physical state of the oocyte by applying controlled suction deformation that increases membrane tension and turgor pressure. This parameter change in membrane elasticity makes the membrane breakable without cytoplasmic aspiration
Solution Approach 2:
The flared end of the holding pipette has a specific curved geometry that distributes suction forces evenly across the oocyte surface, allowing controlled deformation that increases membrane tension without causing damage or slippage
3Reliability
If pressure is applied at the working tip to hold the oocyte, then membrane breaking is facilitated, but the operation requires high skill to prevent oocyte slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The flared end geometry provides a curved surface area that distributes holding forces, allowing secure oocyte retention without requiring precise tip positioning. This reduces the skill level needed to prevent slippage while maintaining membrane tension for effective breaking
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
The pipette effectively holds the oocyte without aspiration, reducing the risk of structural damage and ensuring efficient sperm deposition, while maintaining the integrity of the oocyte and mitotic spindle.
Implementation Method 1
the new pipette, provided with a flared end, holds the oocyte by suction, slightly deforming it inside said end, and said deformation causes an increase in oocyte turgor
Data Source
Figure 1~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an oocyte-holding pipette for sperm injection methods without cytoplasmic aspiration comprising an elongate, narrow, and hollow cylindrical body (100), inside which runs a suction conduit (101) that communicates with a working end (1a) for holding an oocyte (2), wherein said working end (1a) has a flared funnel-shaped configuration defining an internal conical cavity (105), the smaller-diameter proximal end (102) of which communicates with the suction conduit (101) and the larger-diameter distal end (103) of which is sized to receive the oocyte (2) in a tight-fitting manner, such that, upon aspirating same via the suction conduit (101), the oocyte remains partially trapped inside and becomes deformed, changing from its spherical shape in the resting state to an oval shape that tensions the surface and increases the turgor thereof.