We are the first centre in Cyprus to introduce time-lapse technology. The incubation of embryos with constant monitoring and photographing at regular intervals (time-lapse) is the latest technology used in IVF treatments, which enables Embryologists to evaluate embryos in detail. It is a special type of incubator with an integrated camera and microscope lens that takes pictures of the developing embryos every few minutes. This camera unit is connected to a microscope system. This allows us to assess each vital stage of a developing embryo. This assessment is further facilitated with the use of special software that analyses the time-lapse images with the aid of artificial intelligence.
Why is this technology important? Checking embryos outside the incubator exposes them to laboratory conditions and can change the culture medium (pH, temperature) and, as a result, the embryo’s environment. This is thought to create metabolic stress in the embryo, which may affect the development and quality of the embryo. It is, therefore, important to minimise the time spent handling oocytes and embryos outside the controlled environment of the incubator. Time-lapse technology allows us to do so, without disturbing them.
The main role of the time-lapse monitoring technique is the detection of the most viable embryos for transfer, those with the highest chance of implantation and resulting in pregnancy based on morphokinetics and artificial intelligence.
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