Interferometric method and apparatus for non-invasive assessment of oocyte maturity and competency
US11644424B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 2020 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 8, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2201/08
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An interferometric method and apparatus for the non-invasive assessment of oocyte maturity and competency. The method includes placing an oocyte in a sample holder to provide a biological target; generating a near infrared light; using a beam splitter to split the near infrared light into a signal light portion and a reference light portion; projecting the signal light portion onto the biological target; collecting reflected and back scattered light from the signal light portion projected onto the biological target with a detector; collecting at least a portion of the reference light portion with the detector; generating interferometric image data based upon the collected signal and reference light; and assessing the maturity of the oocyte based upon the interferometric data while maintaining the viability of the oocyte. When the oocyte is part of a cumulus-oocyte complex, the assessment is accomplished without removing cumulus cells from the cumulus-oocyte complex while maintaining viability.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.