New Techniques Based on Ultrashort Laser Microsurgery for Use in Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Abstract

Two noncontact techniques based on the use of ultrashort laser pulses are presented for assisted reproductive technologies. The first creates a unique alphanumeric code on an embryo’s envelope to simplify its identification during the period of preimplantation development. The second ensures the embryo will start to hatch at a prescribed site via laser-assisted drilling of its shell at the early blastocyst stage, where the inner cell mass and trophectoderm cells can be distinguished clearly.