Container assembly for intravaginal fertilization and culture and embryo transfer and method of intravaginal fertilization and culture employing such a container
First Claim
1. Fertilization and culture container comprising a container body having an orifice for introducing a culture medium, one or more oocytes and sperm and subsequent retrieval of an embryo or embryos with a retrieval catheter, resealable closure means for selectively opening and closing the container body orifice, said container body having a main chamber for receiving the culture medium, oocytes and sperm and a microchamber for collecting for retrieval of one or more embryos, the container body having means for restricting access of a retrieval catheter or pipette relative to the microchamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intravaginal fertilization and culture container includes a main chamber and a microchamber. A culture medium, one or more oocytes and sperm are introduced through an access opening having an associated resealable closure device. The container is enveloped in a capsule of soft elastic material prior to lodgment in the posterior fornix. A loop on one capsule part adapts the length to anatomic variations. The microchamber has a channel which receives the catheter tip to facilitate embryo retrieval while eliminating risk of injury thereto. The microchamber permits embryos to be microscopically inspected in situ before transfer to the uterine cavity.
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Citations
48 Claims
- 1. Fertilization and culture container comprising a container body having an orifice for introducing a culture medium, one or more oocytes and sperm and subsequent retrieval of an embryo or embryos with a retrieval catheter, resealable closure means for selectively opening and closing the container body orifice, said container body having a main chamber for receiving the culture medium, oocytes and sperm and a microchamber for collecting for retrieval of one or more embryos, the container body having means for restricting access of a retrieval catheter or pipette relative to the microchamber.
- 14. Fertilization and culture container comprising a container body having an orifice for introducing a culture medium, one or more oocytes and sperm, resealable closure means for selectively opening and closing the container body orifice, said container body having a main chamber and a microchamber in communication therewith, the main chamber containing culture medium and being adapted to receive oocytes and sperm, said container having an embryo collection position in which the microchamber is disposed below said main chamber, said culture medium permitting the movement of the one or more embryos in and out of the microchamber and positioning the one or more embryos for retrieval from said container, the microchamber having one or more transparent sidewalls of optical quality for microscopically inspecting one or more embryos in the microchamber.
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23. Fertilization and culture container comprising a container body having an orifice for introducing culture medium, one or more oocytes and sperm, resealable closure means for selectively opening and closing the container body orifice, said container body having a main chamber and a microchamber in communication with the main chamber, the main chamber containing culture medium and and adapted to receive oocytes and sperm and having an internal volume between about 1 ml and about 5 ml and the microchamber having an internal volume of less than 100 μ
- l and adapted to collect one or more embryos for retrieval, a free access zone being defined between the main chamber and the microchamber for the passage of the culture medium, and, after fertilization, the one or more embryos, said culture medium permitting movement of the one or more embryos in and out of the microchamber and positioning the one or more embryos for retrieval for embryo retrieval position.
- View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
- 30. Intravaginal fertilization and culture container assembly comprising a container body having an orifice for introducing a culture medium, one or more oocytes and sperm, resealable closure means for selectively opening and closing the container body orifice, said container body having a main chamber and a microchamber in communication therewith, said microchamber having an external configuration, the microchamber having an outer surface defining an external protruding portion from an end of the main chamber and having external dimensions very substantially less than those of the main chamber, and a tubular capsule for entirely enveloping the container, said capusle being made of soft elastic material having a smooth and continuous outer surface, said capsule also having opposed rounded ends and a tubular body portion of substantially cylindrical configuration between the rounded ends, said capsule also having an internal compartment complementary to the external configuration of the microchamber for mating therewith at a thickened end of the capsule.
- 33. Intravaginal fertilization and culture container assembly comprising a container body having an orifice for introducing a culture medium, one or more oocytes and sperm, resealable closure means for selectively opening and closing the container body orifice, said container body having a chamber for fertilizing oocytes and retrieving an embryo or embryos therefrom for implantation, and a tubular capsule for enveloping the container, said capsule being made of soft elastic material having a smooth and continuous outer surface, a deformable cushioning means disposed proximate an end of said capsule for adapting the longitudinal dimensions of the assembly to a chordal dimension of the posterior fornix when the container assembly is received therein.
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35. Intravaginal fertilization and culture container assembly comprising a container body having an orifice for introducing a culture medium, one or more oocytes and sperm, resealable closure means for selectively opening and closing the container body orifice, said container body defining a main chamber and a microchamber in communication therewith, and a tubular capsule for enveloping the container, said capsule being made of soft elastic material having a smooth and continuous outer surface, said capsule also having opposed rounded ends and a tubular body portion of substantially cylindrical configuration between the rounded ends, said capsule comprising at least two parts, one of said parts having an inwardly extending central plug adapted to be received in and seal off said orifice when said capsule envelopes said container.
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36. A method of fertilization and culture comprising the steps of:
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providing a fertilization and culture container having an orifice and a main chamber for fertilization and culture and the microchamber for inspection and retrieval of one or more embryos, and resealable closure means for selectively opening and closing the orifice; filling the container with the culture medium and introducing one or more oocytes and sperm into the culture medium, and thereafter closing the orifice; incubating the closed container for 48 to 72 hours to allow fertilization and culture of the oocytes; allowing migration of the resulting embryo or embryos into the microchamber; microscopically inspecting the embryo or embryos in the microchamber; and retrieving one or more embryos from the microchamber with a catheter and transferring one or more embryos from the catheter to the uterine cavity. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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47. Apparatus for fertilization and culture of oocytes and retrieval of embryos comprising a container having a body with an orifice for introducing a culture medium, one or more oocytes and sperm, resealable closure means for selectively opening and closing the container body orifice, said container body having a main chamber and a microchamber in communication therewith, the container body containing culture medium and being adapted to receive oocytes and sperm, said container having an embryo collection position in which the microchamber is disposed below said main chamber, said culture medium permitting the movement of the one or more embryos in and out of the microchamber and positioning the one or more embryos for retrieval from said container, said apparatus further comprising means for retrieving from the microchamber the one or more embryos in said culture medium, said microchamber having one or more transparent zones for viewing the one or more embryos therein.
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48. Apparatus for fertilization and culture oocytes and retrieval of embryos comprising a container having a body with an orifice for introducing culture medium, one or more oocytes and sperm, resealable closure means for selectively opening and closing the container body orifice, said container body having a main chamber and a microchamber in communication with the main chamber, the container body containing culture medium and being adapted to receive oocytes and sperm, and said main chamber having an internal volume between about 1 ml and about 5 ml and the microchamber having an internal volume of less than 100 μ
- l and adapted to collect one or more embryos for retrieval, a free access zone being defined between the main chamber and the microchamber for the passage of the culture medium and, after fertilization, the one or more embryos, said culture medium permitting movement of the one or more embryos in and out of the microchamber and positioning the one or more embryos for retrieval for embryo retrieval position, said apparatus further comprising means for retrieving from the microchamber the one or more embryos in said culture medium.
Specification