Mesoscale sperm handling devices
First Claim
1. A device for in vitro fertilization, the device comprising:
- a solid substrate microfabricated to define;
an egg nesting chamber;
a sperm inlet port; and
an elongate channel of mesoscale cross-sectional dimension, communicating between said egg nesting chamber and said sperm inlet port, which permits competitive sperm migration from said inlet port to said nesting chamber for egg fertilization; and
an egg disposed within said nesting chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods are provided for the clinical analysis of a sperm sample. The devices comprise a solid substrate, typically on the order of a few millimeters thick and approximately 0.2 to 2.0 centimeters square, microfabricated to define a sample inlet port and a mesoscale flow channel extending from the inlet port. In one embodiment, a sperm sample is applied to the inlet port, and the competitive migration of the sperm sample through the mesoscale flow channel is detected to serve as an indicator of sperm motility. In another embodiment, the substrate of the device is microfabricated with a sperm inlet port, an egg nesting chamber, and an elongate mesoscale flow channel communicating between the egg nesting chamber and the inlet port. In this embodiment, a sperm sample is applied to the inlet port, and the sperm in the sample are permitted to competitively migrate from the inlet port through the channel to the egg nesting chamber, where in vitro fertilization occurs. The devices of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications in the analysis of a sperm sample, including the analysis of sperm morphology or motility, to assess sperm binding properties, and for in vitro fertilization.
650 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A device for in vitro fertilization, the device comprising:
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a solid substrate microfabricated to define; an egg nesting chamber; a sperm inlet port; and an elongate channel of mesoscale cross-sectional dimension, communicating between said egg nesting chamber and said sperm inlet port, which permits competitive sperm migration from said inlet port to said nesting chamber for egg fertilization; and an egg disposed within said nesting chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21)
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19. A device for analyzing a sperm sample, comprising:
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a solid substrate microfabricated to define; a sperm sample inlet port; and a mesoscale channel system comprising; a tortuous channel, in communication with said inlet port, and containing a sperm medium; sperm disposed within said sperm medium in said channel system; and means for detecting the migration of the sperm through said system. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for the in vitro fertilization of an egg comprising:
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(i) providing a device including a solid substrate microfabricated to define; an egg nesting chamber; a sperm inlet port; and an elongate channel of mesoscale cross-sectional dimension, containing a sperm medium and communicating between said egg nesting chamber and said sperm inlet port, which permits competitive sperm migration from said inlet port to said nesting chamber for egg fertilization; (ii) placing an egg in said nesting chamber; (iii) applying a sperm sample to said inlet port; and (iv) allowing said sperm to competitively migrate from said inlet port through said channel to said egg in said nesting chamber. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 42, 43, 44)
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40. A method for analyzing a sperm sample, comprising:
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(i) providing a device including; a solid substrate microfabricated to define; a sperm sample inlet port; and a mesoscale channel system containing a sperm medium and comprising a primary channel extending from said inlet port; and
means for detecting the migration of the sperm through said system;(ii) applying a sperm sample to said inlet port; and (iii) detecting the migration of sperm from said inlet port through said channel. - View Dependent Claims (41, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification