Abstract: The present application is directed to the processing of a biological sample into its constituent components for use in ART and includes introducing a sample into a first volume disposed adjacent a second volume including buffer solution, wherein the first and second volumes are adapted for fluid communication therebetween, selectively separating the first volume from the second volume with a movable closure member disposed therebetween, wherein the step of selectively separating the first volume from the second volume includes moving the closure member so that a fluid communication aperture is formed by one or a combination of the closure member or the closure member in combination with the first and second volumes to allow fluid communication between the first volume and the second volume such that motile cells migrate from the sample in the first volume to the buffer solution in the second volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides for assessing biological samples for developmental viability utilising microscopy by contemporaneously capturing bright field and dark field images of a biological sample within a time lapse measurement interval.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and system for monitoring the accuracy of procedures in the course of the performance of a task, the task comprising at least one procedure to be performed, the device comprising: an input interface for receiving input data relating to the procedures; a data store for storing data relating to the procedures; a processor for: comparing the input data with the stored data; and generating a comparison result indicating the result of that comparison; and an output interface for outputting the comparison result.

Abstract: An apparatus for micromanipulation of biological material, includes a vessel (1) having a reservoir (2) wherein the vessel has a channel (3) formed in a portion of the reservoir, the channel including an intermediate restriction (4) dimensioned to resist passage of the biological material but allow passage of liquid treatment solutions.

Abstract: A method of cryopreservation of biological material includes the steps of providing an apparatus including a vessel having a reservoir wherein the vessel has a channel formed in a portion of the reservoir, the channel including an intermediate restriction dimensioned to resist passage of the biological material but allow passage of liquid treatment solutions, and the channel including sub-reservoirs at either end of the restriction; introducing the biological material into a reservoir region of the apparatus for capture in a channel region of the vessel; irrigating and draining the biological material with a series of vitrification solutions introduced into a first of the sub-reservoirs and removed from a second of the sub-reservoirs; final draining the irrigation solutions from the vessel; and vitrifying the vessel and captive biological material.

Abstract: The present invention provides for assessing biological samples for developmental viability utilising microscopy by contemporaneously capturing bright field and dark field images of a biological sample within a time lapse measurement interval.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of testing and evaluation of biological samples and provides an apparatus for cultured samples including at least one independently accessible module adapted for incubating at least one of a number of samples wherein the at least one module is operatively associated with a light source and a movable optical inspection means adapted for motion about a viewing axis through the module to enable a sweeping of viewing area. The invention also provides a method of assessing cultured samples for viability, including the steps of: disposing biological samples in a substantially elliptical arrangement within a culturing chamber of an independently accessible module and imaging individual samples of the substantially elliptical arrangement with optical inspection means driven within an X-Y plane that is normal to a viewing axis through the module to obtain time lapse measurement of development of individual samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the handling of biological samples, for example, the holding, manipulating and culturing of biological samples. In one form the invention provides an overlay encapsulant for an in vitro cell culture comprising a synthetic compound and in another aspect the invention provides methods of temporarily encapsulating an in vitro cell culture comprising a synthetic compound. The invention has use in relation to the culturing and more particularly the encapsulation of biological samples, such as for example zygotes, embryos, oocytes, stem cells, sperm located in a culturing space, relevant pluripotent derivative(s) and/or differentiated progeny, intact or dispersed tissue and/or intact organism(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of culturing of biological samples and in one form provides feedback in a biological sample culturing system to improve the viability of biological samples wherein the feedback comprises one or a combination of: measuring and manipulating environmental parameters operatively associated with the biological sample culturing system, and; measuring and manipulating culturing media parameters operatively associated with the biological sample culturing system.

Abstract: The present application relates to the manipulation and handling of biological materials and, in one form, provides an apparatus for micromanipulation of biological material, including a channel for accommodating biological material and allowing for passage of liquid treatment solutions. The apparatus may include a two part construction wherein two portions of the apparatus are adapted to be heat sealed with a secondary material intermediate the two portions prior to a vitrification process step. A system for vitrification of a biological specimen is also provided including a software operable means for controlling the temperature environment, a software operable means for controlling fluid dispense volume and velocity and aspiration volume and velocity for the application of liquid treatment solutions to the biological specimen, and a software operable means for controlling protocol time.