An AI-Driven Robotic System for Egg Retrieval and Denudation
Farias et al, ASRM
During IVF, fluid is removed from the ovaries (follicular fluid) by a surgeon and searched for eggs under a microscope by an embryologist. A cloud of hundreds of supporting cells typically surrounds the egg, and these need to be removed before ICSI can be performed (denudation). This study examines an intelligent robotic system designed for searching follicular fluid, finding eggs, and denuding them. The authors conclude that the system is consistent and precise in methodology but has not reached the level of a skilled embryologist. Nonetheless, the results represent an important step toward automation in the IVF laboratory and standardization of methods, which can be expected to lead to better outcomes for patients.
