As millions of families worldwide face infertility, Cornell University researchers have developed a new chip device that could simplify and automate oocyte cumulus removal (CR), a key step in assisted reproductive technology.
The technology was developed by a team led by Alireza Abbaspourrad, associate professor of food science at Cornell University and an expert in food chemistry and ingredient technology. The paper, “On-Chip Oocyte Cumulus Removal using Vibration Induced Flow” (DOI: 10.1039/d5lc00414d
), was published in Lab on a Chip on September 5, 2025.
During conventional in vitro fertilization, clinicians must carefully remove cumulus cells from the oocyte surface to assess oocyte maturity. This manual procedure usually uses a micropipette to repeatedly wash each oocyte. It is technically demanding, time-consuming, and vulnerable to human error that can damage the oocyte and affect fertilization or pregnancy rates.
“Our chip platform can complete CR automatically, safely, and consistently without requiring highly trained personnel,” Professor Abbaspourrad said.
The disposable, open-structure device uses vibration-induced flow for automated processing. A spiral array of micropillars inside the chip creates a rotating fluid flow when vibration is applied, separating the smaller cumulus cells from the larger oocyte.
Doctoral researcher Amirhossein Favakeh explained: “The process is efficient, noninvasive, and highly reproducible. It minimizes manual intervention while preserving embryo development quality. The oocyte remains in the loading chamber, while removed cumulus cells are directed into an adjacent collection chamber.”
To assess safety and effectiveness, the researchers compared fertilization and embryo development after conventional manual removal and vibration-induced flow. Outcomes were similar: manual removal produced a 90.7% fertilization rate and a 50.0% blastocyst formation rate, compared with 93.1% and 43.1%, respectively, for the chip.
“These data show that our method does not affect the developmental potential of oocytes,” Professor Abbaspourrad said.
The team also emphasized the device’s practicality and broad applicability. “In current clinical practice, CR is time-consuming and depends on highly skilled personnel. Our platform is portable and inexpensive, lowering barriers and enabling use in laboratories in underserved regions, which could improve access to fertility treatment worldwide.”
The advance could make assisted reproduction more efficient, safer, and more accessible, offering new hope to families trying to have a child.
News | Fertility Treatment Breakthrough: Vibrating Chip Automates Oocyte Cumulus Removal
News | Fertility Treatment Breakthrough: Vibrating Chip Automates Oocyte Cumulus Removal
As millions of families worldwide face infertility, Cornell University researchers have developed a new chip device that could simplify and automate oocyte cumulus removal (CR), a key step in assisted reproductive technology.
The technology was developed by a team led by Alireza Abbaspourrad, associate professor of food science at Cornell University and an expert in food chemistry and ingredient technology. The paper, “On-Chip Oocyte Cumulus Removal using Vibration Induced Flow” (DOI: 10.1039/d5lc00414d
), was published in Lab on a Chip on September 5, 2025.
During conventional in vitro fertilization, clinicians must carefully remove cumulus cells from the oocyte surface to assess oocyte maturity. This manual procedure usually uses a micropipette to repeatedly wash each oocyte. It is technically demanding, time-consuming, and vulnerable to human error that can damage the oocyte and affect fertilization or pregnancy rates.
“Our chip platform can complete CR automatically, safely, and consistently without requiring highly trained personnel,” Professor Abbaspourrad said.
The disposable, open-structure device uses vibration-induced flow for automated processing. A spiral array of micropillars inside the chip creates a rotating fluid flow when vibration is applied, separating the smaller cumulus cells from the larger oocyte.
Doctoral researcher Amirhossein Favakeh explained: “The process is efficient, noninvasive, and highly reproducible. It minimizes manual intervention while preserving embryo development quality. The oocyte remains in the loading chamber, while removed cumulus cells are directed into an adjacent collection chamber.”
To assess safety and effectiveness, the researchers compared fertilization and embryo development after conventional manual removal and vibration-induced flow. Outcomes were similar: manual removal produced a 90.7% fertilization rate and a 50.0% blastocyst formation rate, compared with 93.1% and 43.1%, respectively, for the chip.
“These data show that our method does not affect the developmental potential of oocytes,” Professor Abbaspourrad said.
The team also emphasized the device’s practicality and broad applicability. “In current clinical practice, CR is time-consuming and depends on highly skilled personnel. Our platform is portable and inexpensive, lowering barriers and enabling use in laboratories in underserved regions, which could improve access to fertility treatment worldwide.”
The advance could make assisted reproduction more efficient, safer, and more accessible, offering new hope to families trying to have a child.
Source:
Collected online