INSIDE IVF
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Inside an in vitro fertilisation |
I realise that the laboratory where we work is often a place of great mystery and intrigue to you. For us it’s all very straightforward. We spend most of my working time here, after all. But you don’t get the opportunity to see what happens between the collection of your sperm and eggs and your embryo transfer.
What’s going on in those stressful times when nothing seems to be happening in their treatment. Why do they have to wait? And what exactly are we doing to their precious eggs, sperms and growing embryos?
So here’s a chance for you to see your treatment cycle through the eyes of your embryologists on you tube
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| 1 Incubator 2.Joy-stick for ICSI 3.UPS Power (continious power supply) 4. Monitor for observation of ICSI 5.Micro-tool holder on Inverted microscope 6.Warming stage/7.Icsi Dish/8.Joy-stick for ICSI 9.Coarse manipulation joystick 10. Syringe controlling the manipulation of gametes 11.Corian Walls. Non porous, anti-bacterial 12.Anti-vibration table 13.Central cables enclosed in s. steel band 14.Microscope link to computer 15. Anti-bacterial, anti-static floor 16.Anti-vibration, cushioned legs of table ICSI Station |
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1.Laminar flow cabinet: clean air for work surfaces Work Station |
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1.HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filters Air lock and air filtration with Hepa filters
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1.Liquid nitrogen embryo storage bank Liquid nitrogen Tanks |
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1.Special gas bottles supplying the incubators have fail-safe system to . |
Quality Control in the Lab.
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In a Clean-room environment, positive pressure must be preserved. Ultra clean air first enters the lab. and is pushed out to less critical areas. Here, we can see the testing of the pressure difference between two rooms. |
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As above. Note air tight seal between lab. and operating theatre. |
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Harmful chemicals in the air can be detected by use of VOC badges. Especially important when constructing a new lab or addition of new equipment into the lab. |
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We don't just rely on the temperature reading given by the incubators or work surfaces- daily calibration is monitored. |
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As above. Temperature measurement of the warm surface where we work. |
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The pH of the culture media which nurishes the growing embryo is very important!! We check for the correct pH from inside the incubator! |
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Thermo coins help us check the work surface temperature. |
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All work surfaces can be adjusted for the correct temperature. |
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Security is a must! All critical rooms and laboratories have restricted access and a PIN is required. |
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The efficiency of the filters in the work cabinates are tested. |
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A particle counter reports on the quality of the air. see ACC-Kalavrias website |
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Again, filter efficiency is monitored. |
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Special gas mixture that helps the embryo develop is quality assured enters the lab through stainless steel pipes-but we add an extra filter before entering the incubator. |
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To enter the lab each embryologist has to pass through an air lock/air shower, seen in the background. Note the embryologist does not wear the normal hospiatl "greens". Special clothing, no pockets, high neck and long sleeved help reduce contamination. The material emits no fibres into the environment, and is specially laundered. |
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