Time-Lapse

The Time-Lapse incubators combine an incubator and a microscope connected to a high definition camera. This camera captures images of each of the embryos at a certain relatively short time interval. When these images are assembled, they offer a video with the embryo development.

One of the main benefits of these culture systems versus the traditional incubators is the possibility to observe the embryos without the need of taking them out of the incubator. In this way, the disruption of the optimal culture conditions is avoided, reducing the stress levels for the embryos.

Another advantage offered by Time-Lapse is the possibility to witness each and every one of the events that occur in an embryo during its development process. Before this technique, the embryo observation was limited to once a day during the 3-5 days when the embryos were in their in vitro culture. Therefore, there were 3 to 5 images on which to base the predictions. Now, with a Time-Lapse system, one image is captured every 5 minutes, having much more information about the embryo condition.

We now have more information to identify the embryos with the highest implantation potential and reduce the number of embryos transferred, with the ultimate objective of increasing the pregnancy rates and the consequent waiting time reduction.

What advantages does Time-Lapse offer?

• As the embryos are not taken out of the incubator to study their morphology, we do not disrupt the ideal conditions of the culture, providing the embryo with a much more stable environment.
• It is a non-invasive information collection tool that allows us to detect morphological abnormalities in the embryo, which we could not view before with the traditional culture method.