Abstract: A medium solution which will increase the growth, survival and ultimately the live birth rate of oocytes and embryos which have been or will be subjected to cryopreservation. The solution contains varied amounts of glucose, pyruvates, amino acids, vitamins K5 and C, antioxidants, fatty acids to supply the specimens with the chemical ingredients and uptake requirements required to recover and prosper during and after the cryopreservation process. The solution supplies nutrients to the specimens that will replenish depletion and damage to the specimens and their mitochondria, spindles and structural features, such as cell walls. One formulation addresses the additional requirements of frozen specimens as opposed to the current media solutions and methods which treat the un-frozen specimens the same as the frozen specimens when recovering them from cryopreservation.

Abstract: A medium solution which will increase the growth, survival and ultimately the live birth rate of oocytes and embryos which have been or will be subjected to cryopreservation. The solution contains varied amounts of glucose, pyruvates, amino acids, vitamins K5 and C, antioxidants, fatty acids to supply the specimens with the chemical ingredients and uptake requirements required to recover and prosper during and after the cryopreservation process. The solution supplies nutrients to the specimens that will replenish depletion and damage to the specimens and their mitochondria, spindles and structural features, such as cell walls. One formulation addresses the additional requirements of frozen specimens as opposed to the current media solutions and methods which treat the un-frozen specimens the same as the frozen specimens when recovering them from cryopreservation.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed that is to be used for the culturing of specimens such as embryos and gametes for use in in vitro fertilization. The assembly includes an annular ring which is affixed to the stage of an optical viewing instrument, such as a microscope. The viewing instrument is focused on a point which lies inside of the ring at a predetermined distance from the center of the ring. Circular specimen dishes having a plurality of specimen wells in which the specimens in question are cultured or grown is removably positioned inside of the ring. The specimen wells have bottom walls which are configured so as to ensure that the specimens in the wells will gravitate to the same predetermined position in each of the wells. That position coincides with the focus point of the viewing instrument.

Abstract: A medium solution which will increase the growth, survival and ultimately the live birth rate of oocytes and embryos which have been or will be subjected to cryopreservation. The solution contains varied amounts of glucose, pyruvates, amino acids, vitamins K5 and C, antioxidants, fatty acids to supply the specimens with the chemical ingredients and uptake requirements required to recover and prosper during and after the cryopreservation process. The solution supplies nutrients to the specimens that will replenish depletion and damage to the specimens and their mitochondria, spindles and structural features, such as cell walls. One formulation addresses the additional requirements of frozen specimens as opposed to the current media solutions and methods which treat the un-frozen specimens the same as the frozen specimens when recovering them from cryopreservation.

Abstract: An anabolic chamber constructed of a plastic with additives to create desirable characteristics such as resistance to corrosion and bacteria growth. The anabolic chamber has a double-wall structure with internal support ribs for creating a water jacket for facilitating maintaining temperature control within the chamber. Features such as handles, mounting blocks and surface detail are created integral to the anabolic chamber.

Abstract: A specimen culturing system and method is employed to culture biological specimens, preferably embryos. The embryos are cultured in an incubator in separate culturing sites, such as wells, which can each hold an embryo container, such as a Petrie dish, that contains one or more of the embryos. The culturing wells are disposed in one or more shelves in the incubator. The culturing containers are formed from a transparent material such as tempered glass. Each of the wells are provided with embryo development-monitoring adjuncts. The development-monitoring adjuncts are preferably embryo-imaging devices and sound-monitoring devices. The system includes image and sound recording components which can record periodic images of the embryos during the culturing cycle; and can record sounds emanating from the specimens. The embryo-imaging devices can include CCD imaging devices which are connected to image viewing and recording adjuncts by means of electrical connections.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filter preferably for an anabolic chamber or incubator utilizing an activated carbon of the filter which has been vacuumed to remove contaminants. The assembly occurs in a clean room environment. Upon assembling the filter, vacuum sealing the filter in a bag further assures that the sterilization of the filter is maintained. Moreover, the method may subject the vacuum sealed filter to gamma radiation to kill any molds, germs and bacteria that may exist in the filter after the assembly process.

Abstract: An embryo culturing incubator is provided with a shelf configuration that enhances air circulation inside of the incubator, and enables unimpeded access to the individual embryo culture plates that are disposed on the shelves in the incubator. The incubator has an access door which allows one contact with the embryo culture plates on the incubator shelves. The shelves are configured so as to provide a useful free space between the inner surface of the incubator door and the frontal surface of the shelves in the incubator. The size of the free space allows a technician to reach all of the culture plates in the incubator without interfering with other culture plates in the incubator. The free space also allows for exemplary air circulation inside of the incubator.

Abstract: A specimen culturing system and method is employed to culture biological specimens, preferably embryos. The embryos are cultured in an incubator in separate culturing sites, such as wells, which can each hold an embryo container, such as a Petrie dish, that contains one or more of the embryos. The culturing wells are disposed in one or more shelves in the incubator. The culturing containers are formed from a transparent material such as tempered glass. Each of the wells are provided with embryo development-monitoring adjuncts. The development-monitoring adjuncts are preferably embryo-imaging devices and sound-monitoring devices. The system includes image and sound recording components which can record periodic images of the embryos during the culturing cycle; and can record sounds emanating from the specimens. The embryo-imaging devices can include CCD imaging devices which are connected to image viewing and recording adjuncts by means of electrical connections.

Abstract: A connection device for connecting a filtering system to an incubator. The connection device includes a body member adapted to fit in the wall of an incubator and having at least two bores which provide access into the incubator. The bores are equipped with fittings which provide a port for connection of tubing to direct the flow of filtered air into and out of the incubator.

Abstract: An improved filter system and method for filtering the gaseous environment of an incubator in which volatile organic compounds and particulate material are filtered from the gaseous environment. A filter is provided which includes a first filter medium to filter volatile organic compounds and a second filter medium to filter solid particulate material. A pump may be provided which draws a gas stream from the gaseous environment of the incubator and passes it through the filter. The pump and filter may be contained within a filter unit which may be used either internally or externally of the incubator.

Abstract: An embryo implant catheter assembly includes an outer guide cannula and an inner catheter which is slidably disposed in the guide cannula. The inner catheter is operable to engage an embryo to be implanted in a female's uterus. The embryo is disposed in a distal end of the catheter, which distal end is inserted into the uterus during the implant procedure. The catheter has a varying stiffness from the distal end to an opposite proximal end, the distal end being softer and the proximal end being more rigid. The result is a catheter that is non-abraisive at its distal end, and resistant to wobble at its proximal end. The catheter is produced by extruding mixtures of resins which have different durometers, and varying the percentage of the resins in the mixture along the length of the catheter.

Abstract: An improved filter system and method for filtering the gaseous environment of an incubator in which volatile organic compounds and particulate material are filtered from the gaseous environment. A filter is provided which includes a first filter medium to filter volatile organic compounds and a second filter medium to filter solid particulate material. A pump may be provided which draws a gas stream from the gaseous environment of the incubator and passes it through the filter. The pump and filter may be contained within a filter unit which may be used either internally or externally of the incubator.

Abstract: A surgical core biopsy apparatus, having a hollow elongated member with an axis and a leading end, a sharpened edge at a portion of the leading end for cutting tissue along the axis, an actuator, and a cutting edge, linked to the actuator, being movable along a path including a transverse component to the axis, effective for severing tissue along an the path. The path is preferably an arcuate path, the cutting device being pivoted about an axis transverse to the axis of said hollow elongated member at said leading end. The actuator preferably acts by way of a compression force transmitted along the axis by a compression member, from a handle portion to the cutting edge. The elongated member is preferably a tube having two or more lumens, a first large centrally located lumen for accommodating a tissue core sample, and at least one other eccentrically located rectangular cross section lumen containing the compression member.