CultureCoin®
|
Embryo Culture Dish for the MIRI® TL
Esco Fertility Lab Consumables
The Esco Medical CultureCoin® is a sterile, single use, culture vessel specifically developed for use in IVF. The dish holds up to 14 embryos in the centrally placed line of culture wells. The culture well features a 300μ, optically clear area where the embryo is situated and is an area optimized for microscopy. The culture wells are numbered (1-14) for easy location of each well by the user. Each culture well has two washing wells for cell manipulations, washing media or replacement media.
The lid is mounted inside the circumference of the dish covering the culture area completely – the user will only grab the dish during handling and not risk losing the dish by holding on to the lid only – as can be the case on all traditionally designed dishes. A large well is provided outside the culture are for pH measuring without affecting the cultured samples. The dish has a flat bottom so it is ideal for heat transfer from below.
Specialized Micro-well Architecture
The technical core of these culture dishes is the individual micro-well design, which allows for the placement of multiple embryos in a single dish while keeping them physically separated. This architecture is specifically optimized for time-lapse imaging, as each well serves as a fixed coordinate for the incubator's camera system. This ensures that the microscope can automatically return to the exact same position for every image capture, providing a continuous record of each embryo's development without moving the dish.
Droplet Culture and Oil Overlay Compatibility
These dishes are engineered to facilitate the "culture-under-oil" technique. The wells are designed to hold a precise volume of culture media, which is then covered by a layer of mineral oil. Technically, this oil overlay is essential for preventing evaporation of the aqueous media, which would otherwise lead to dangerous increases in osmolarity. The dish geometry ensures that the oil stays in place even during transport, maintaining a stable micro-environment throughout the incubation period.
High Optical Clarity for Microscopic Analysis
Visualization is paramount in embryology, and these consumables are manufactured from high-transparency medical plastics. The bottom of each well is technically finished to be perfectly flat and optically clear. This minimizes light refraction and distortion when viewing the samples under high-power magnification. This clarity is essential for embryologists to accurately assess morphological grades and detect subtle cellular changes during oocyte denudation or embryo assessment.
Thermal Conductivity and Stability
Effective temperature control is a technical requirement for all IVF consumables. These dishes are designed with a bottom profile that ensures maximum surface contact with the heated stages of incubators or workstations. This ensures rapid thermal equilibration when the dish is placed on a 37 C surface. The material thickness is carefully calibrated to provide a stable thermal mass that resists sudden temperature fluctuations during brief periods outside the incubator.
Biocompatibility and Safety Standards
All Esco fertility consumables undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are free from harmful substances. Technically, this includes validation for Mouse Embryo Assay (MEA) and Endotoxin (LAL) testing. The materials used are medical-grade polystyrene that is non-cytotoxic and non-pyrogenic. Ensuring that the plastic does not leach any chemicals into the culture media is critical for preventing developmental arrest and ensuring the highest possible pregnancy rates.
Evaporation Barriers and Lid Design
The dishes feature specialized lids that are technically designed to minimize gas exchange while allowing for the necessary atmospheric equilibration. The lid fitment creates a barrier that further reduces media evaporation. In some designs, integrated "moat" systems or humidification areas can be filled with sterile water or media to create a local high-humidity environment, providing an extra layer of protection against osmotic stress for the developing embryos.
Ergonomic Handling and Identification
In a busy ART lab, tracking multiple patient samples requires clear identification features. The technical layout of these dishes often includes dedicated areas for labeling and numbering each well. The outer rim is designed with a "grip" surface to prevent accidental slippage during handling with forceps or gloved hands. These ergonomic features reduce the risk of mechanical shock to the embryos, which is a common cause of cellular damage during manual transport.
Integration with Time-Lapse Monitoring Systems
These specialized dishes are a prerequisite for the technical operation of time-lapse incubators. The specific well arrangement is mapped into the incubator's software, allowing for automated recognition of each sample. This integration allows for "dry" incubation (without the need for humidified gas) because the droplet-under-oil technique provides the necessary moisture protection. This simplifies the incubator's technical maintenance while providing a superior data-rich environment for embryo selection.
Read more about Esco Fertility Lab Consumables
