26A - Time-Lapse Imaging Should Be a Routine Procedure in Clinical Embryology

Summary

Assisted reproductive technology has moved from the cottage industry of the 1980s to a global business that treats millions of patients using advanced treatments and cutting-edge science. The landscape shifts constantly, and it is incumbent upon those who work in this area of medicine to stay up to date and provide their patients with the best possible chance of a healthy child. In my opinion it is incontrovertible that the best currently available laboratory technology for culture of optimal quality and number of blastocysts involves time-lapse imaging systems with use of artificial intelligence (AI) in image analysis. As with many rapidly moving areas of medical technology, it has taken time to develop efficient systems for time-lapse imaging of embryos in culture, but there are now several mature and stable options available for purchase. Time-lapse systems obviously allow the embryologist to assess development to blastocyst without disturbing the embryo incubation, and offer significant shortening in time to pregnancy over conventional incubation methods [1]. This is important to patients as a shorter time to pregnancy reduces the emotional burden of treatment that leads to implantation failure and reduces the financial and psychological costs involved in repeated embryo transfers.