When embryos are developed in our laboratory in a standard culture incubator, they are typically removed from the incubator around four or five times, so we can assess how they are growing and changing.

This involves removing them from the incubator.

The time-lapse incubator enable our scientists to assess the embryo through high quality time-lapse images of embryos without removing the embryos from the incubator.

Time-lapse incubator is suitable for every patient, however, it’s more valuable for patients who have had previous failed cycles of IVF or ICSI.

• The time-lapse incubator allows more frequent imaging, therefore, more information about the crucial early developments.
• Anomalies shown in the time-lapse incubator may not be visible during standard embryo culture.
• The images allow our scientists to collate and build up data relating to the precise timing of specific developmental milestones that we expect to see in good embryos, helping us to identify the embryos with the highest potential for pregnancy. You’ll receive a document of the key stages of development once we have identified which of your embryos is most suitable for transfer.

There are no extra risks involved in using time-lapse imaging to monitor your embryos.

However, it is important to realise that because the time-lapse incubator gives our scientists such highly-detailed information, it may mean that the information gathered may suggest that there are fewer or no embryos suitable for transfer or freezing.

Your time-lapse incubator slot has the capacity to culture up to 12 eggs or embryos.

If you have ICSI, your eggs are placed in the time-lapse incubator after the ICSI procedure so actual fertilisation can be observed.

If you have IVF, your embryos are placed in the Time-lapse incubator after they have been checked for fertilization the day after egg collection. This is because the cells surrounding your embryo have to be removed for the camera to have a clear view of its development.

EmbryoScope is a time-lapse incubator brand.

Care Fertility was using EmbryoScope until December 2022 for time-lapse imaging. In January 2023 we are excited to commission our new time-lapse machine which has capacity for more patients and up to sixteen embryos a couple. Care Fertility is committed to offering the very best laboratory care for your embryos and future family.