Equipment

In four clinics of the Ecomed network, installation and connection of state-of-the-art endoscopes is underway. Galymzhan Ustanov, technical director of the capital's IVF laboratory, told about what this new technology can do.

We are the first in Kazakhstan to work with such equipment.

Now this device is not used in all cases, but I am sure that in a few years endoscopes will become a mandatory part of modern IVF clinics. This always happens with new products in our industry. We are happy that we are the first to use such modern equipment.

The most surprising thing is that our embryologists do not need to go through long training, because Ecomed specialists always monitor new products, technologies that are successfully undergoing clinical trials and discuss them at international congresses. Therefore, endoscopes were waited, waited, and the most difficult thing is not the operation, but the technical part, the actual connection. Because the new product must be connected to complex gas supply systems and a computer.

What is an endoscope?

- This is the most modern incubator. Everything started with bulky chambers where embryos were stored, then they were replaced by tablet incubators with small compartments. We, embryologists, have to take embryos almost every day, monitor their development and determine their individual parameters. Each time there is stress for the embryos, because the light, temperature and other parameters change. Moreover, every time you remove one of the research objects in a large container, the temperature and air composition will also change, and recovery will take some time. Thanks to small cameras, tablet incubators partially solved this problem and returned the parameters to the original in a few seconds.

The endoscope allows not to destroy the embryo at all. We'll see what happens to him there.

Because the device is equipped with a video surveillance camera and together with the embryologist evaluates the quality of the embryos using artificial intelligence. As the camera records all the changes, we get a clear picture of the development of the cell and then the embryo. As if all external factors are insignificant, in fact, by removing the embryo from its natural environment, we significantly disrupt the natural process; This is proven by clinical studies.

According to the researchers, the use of the endoscope increases the success of the ECU program by 10-15%.

Why do embryologists need so much information about each cell? Especially if fertilization is successful. After all, detailed information allows to assess the quality of the cell, the quality of the embryo. In addition, artificial intelligence is involved in the process of accurately determining which of the approximately identical embryos has a higher chance of successful pregnancy based on existing clinical conditions and based on many signs.

"Usually such a choice is made by an embryologist expert based on his experience," says Galymzhan Ustanov, "now artificial intelligence can make the choice." Basically, this is an additional service that is not included in the standard IVF package, but it saves patients money.

Each new attempt is expensive, and the more chances a couple has to get pregnant right away, the better.

Empowerment is an opportunity to avoid unnecessary stress for couples. You understand very well that ten percent in IVF is a very important figure. In addition, artificial intelligence allows us to see what cannot be observed with the human eye, and we can minimize the miscarriages that occur in the IVF program due to the hidden factors of the embryo. So, this is not just a fancy piece of equipment, it is a necessary and very useful device that holds the future.