They claim that a new dynamic cell culture has been created by researchers. It can dramatically improve in-vitro fertilation (IVF). Researchers used a unique polymer material, and 3D printing process. The technology—a combined effort between two companies, UpNano GmbH in Austria and Adelaide, Australia-based startup Fertilis—can reduce the complexity of the IVF process and thus the stress put on embryos during implantation, according to the companies.
UpNano has developed the material called UpFlow. It can be used with the NanoOne 2PP printer by the company to create a new type dynamic cell culture microfluidic devices. This device was created by Fertilis, an IVF specialist. Marty Guavin (CEO of Fertilis) said that the device simplifies IVF for patients. It also saves them money and relieves some of the emotional burden IVF can place on couples who are trying to conceive.
IVF can be complicated, both for the parents who are trying to conceive, and also for the embryos they hope will lead to pregnancy. The current process often involves multiple steps. Embryos must be moved to different environments to increase their chances of being viable. It may also require multiple implantation procedures to succeed.
Fertilis’s 3D-printed microdevice—which is based on UpFlow, a photopolymerizing material—can reduce the number of implantations needed by 30 to 40 percent, Guavin said, which improves the chance that the process will have a desired outcome.
“Our device allows fertilization, embryo culture, and embryo cryopreservation to occur in the one structure—no more moving embryos around by hand,” he explained. This increases the success rate and reduces the time, cost, and stress for parents.
Functional Design for the 3D-Printing the Micro-Device
Specifically, Fertilis has created a 3D-printed micro-device based on UpFlow that automates the critical life phase between fertilization and implantation of the embryo in the IVF process, the companies said. Guavin explained that the device measures 0.05 millimeters in size and allows scientists control the culturing procedure of the fertilized egg. This eliminates the need for IVF professionals to move cells around in petri dishes and puts stress on embryos, which could reduce their viability.
The companies stated that certain aspects of the UpFlow material as well as the NanoOne 2PP printer used for printing the device were responsible for the design of the features. Denise Hirner is the chief operating officer of UpNano and cofounder.
UpNano selected specific base resins for UpFlow to create materials with this feature. The material’s viscosity is kept low until the final UV exposure hardens and sets it ready for use. “This allows for a far superior post-production processing, especially the flushing of the very fine channels”—which are smaller than a human hair—”to remove unpolymerized material and ensure reproducibility of structural elements,” Hirner said.
UpFlow also features a high optical transparency, which makes it well suited for microscopic inspections of embryos in incubation as well as a low autofluorescence, Hirner added. Guavin stated that the NanoOne 2PP printer produced a micro-device with high quality and reduced the printing time by an astonishing four hours.