News | New Microdevice Could Transform Fertility Treatment for Men With Infertility
An innovation led by the University of Adelaide and developed with medical technology company Fertilis could transform conventional assisted reproductive technology. The team developed a device smaller than the tip of a needle that can greatly simplify intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)—the only IVF treatment suitable for men with a low sperm count—and offer hope to thousands of families affected by male infertility.
ICSI uses microinjection to place a single sperm directly into an egg for fertilization. It is technically demanding, time-consuming, and currently requires a highly specialized embryologist. The new device could change how the procedure is performed.
Microtechnology, Major Efficiency Gains
According to Dr. Kylie Dunning, lead researcher at the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute, the microdevice can hold and separate up to 10 eggs at once, allowing embryologists to inject them quickly and precisely. This substantially reduces the risk of handling errors, shortens training time, and lowers equipment costs, enabling more laboratories and clinicians to offer ICSI.
“Our technology cuts this previously lengthy and complex treatment procedure in half and greatly reduces the specialist skills required,” Dr. Dunning said. “For families affected by male-factor infertility, this is a genuine breakthrough.”
Removing a Major Micromanipulation Challenge
During conventional ICSI, a specialized glass micropipette is used to hold the egg in place. This demanding process and its costly equipment are major barriers preventing many smaller IVF clinics from offering ICSI.
The Dunning team’s device uses a new holding structure that eliminates the need for this pipette, turns a complex technique into a reproducible process, and improves embryo production efficiency. This could have far-reaching effects on assisted reproduction worldwide.
“This discovery removes a major technical barrier for patients with infertility,” Dr. Dunning said. “It will also directly improve IVF success rates.”
Updating Technology That Had Lagged for 30 Years
Fertilis co-founder and device co-inventor Professor Jeremy Thompson said, “Scientific research in IVF laboratories has advanced over the past 30 years, but the related technology and equipment have barely changed.”
He described the technology as an important milestone: “We must continue advancing laboratory technology to improve conception success while reducing the financial and emotional burden on patients.”
Broad Support and International Collaboration
The device was being prepared for international clinical trials in 2022, supported by organizations including the Australian Research Council and The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
Foundation CEO Paul Flynn said the organization had fully funded Dr. Dunning’s research for the previous three years and believed the technology would change the prospects of thousands of prospective parents who rely on ICSI. “This device will be a true game-changer.”
The findings were published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics in a paper titled “Fabrication on the microscale: a two-photon polymerized device for oocyte microinjection.”
The lead author was Suliman Yagoub, a PhD candidate in biomedicine at the University of Adelaide. Other international researchers included Professor Kishan Dholakia of the University of Adelaide and the University of St Andrews, Professor Brant Gibson of RMIT University, and Dr. Antony Orth of the National Research Council Canada.
News | New Microdevice Could Transform Fertility Treatment for Men With Infertility
News | New Microdevice Could Transform Fertility Treatment for Men With Infertility
An innovation led by the University of Adelaide and developed with medical technology company Fertilis could transform conventional assisted reproductive technology. The team developed a device smaller than the tip of a needle that can greatly simplify intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)—the only IVF treatment suitable for men with a low sperm count—and offer hope to thousands of families affected by male infertility.
ICSI uses microinjection to place a single sperm directly into an egg for fertilization. It is technically demanding, time-consuming, and currently requires a highly specialized embryologist. The new device could change how the procedure is performed.
Microtechnology, Major Efficiency Gains
According to Dr. Kylie Dunning, lead researcher at the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute, the microdevice can hold and separate up to 10 eggs at once, allowing embryologists to inject them quickly and precisely. This substantially reduces the risk of handling errors, shortens training time, and lowers equipment costs, enabling more laboratories and clinicians to offer ICSI.
“Our technology cuts this previously lengthy and complex treatment procedure in half and greatly reduces the specialist skills required,” Dr. Dunning said. “For families affected by male-factor infertility, this is a genuine breakthrough.”
Removing a Major Micromanipulation Challenge
During conventional ICSI, a specialized glass micropipette is used to hold the egg in place. This demanding process and its costly equipment are major barriers preventing many smaller IVF clinics from offering ICSI.
The Dunning team’s device uses a new holding structure that eliminates the need for this pipette, turns a complex technique into a reproducible process, and improves embryo production efficiency. This could have far-reaching effects on assisted reproduction worldwide.
“This discovery removes a major technical barrier for patients with infertility,” Dr. Dunning said. “It will also directly improve IVF success rates.”
Updating Technology That Had Lagged for 30 Years
Fertilis co-founder and device co-inventor Professor Jeremy Thompson said, “Scientific research in IVF laboratories has advanced over the past 30 years, but the related technology and equipment have barely changed.”
He described the technology as an important milestone: “We must continue advancing laboratory technology to improve conception success while reducing the financial and emotional burden on patients.”
Broad Support and International Collaboration
The device was being prepared for international clinical trials in 2022, supported by organizations including the Australian Research Council and The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
Foundation CEO Paul Flynn said the organization had fully funded Dr. Dunning’s research for the previous three years and believed the technology would change the prospects of thousands of prospective parents who rely on ICSI. “This device will be a true game-changer.”
The findings were published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics in a paper titled “Fabrication on the microscale: a two-photon polymerized device for oocyte microinjection.”
The lead author was Suliman Yagoub, a PhD candidate in biomedicine at the University of Adelaide. Other international researchers included Professor Kishan Dholakia of the University of Adelaide and the University of St Andrews, Professor Brant Gibson of RMIT University, and Dr. Antony Orth of the National Research Council Canada.
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