Patents Assigned to Unisense FertiliTech A/S
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Patent number: 11124764Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring embryos in an incubator are described. The apparatus comprises an incubation chamber defined by an incubation chamber housing and a sample platform comprising a plurality of receptacles for holding embryos within the incubation chamber for incubation. The sample platform may comprise a slide carrier on which embryo slides containing the receptacles may be placed incubation. The sample platform is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the incubation chamber housing so as to allow receptacles to be selectively rotated to a monitoring position that is aligned with a viewing port provided in the incubation chamber housing, for example an opening or window. An imaging device is located outside the incubation chamber and arranged to image embryos within the incubation chamber at the monitoring position through the viewing port.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: UNISENSE FERTILITECH A/SInventors: Niels Ramsing, Jonas Lerche Hansen, Kim Bondergaard Madsen, Troels Kofoed Mejer, Jorgen Berntsen
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Patent number: 10844342Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring embryos in an incubator are described. The apparatus comprises an incubation chamber defined by an incubation chamber housing and a slide carrier comprising a plurality of compartment walls that define compartments for holding embryo slides within the incubation chamber for incubation. The slide carrier is moveable, for example by rotation, relative to the incubation chamber housing to allow a selected compartment to be moved to a loading position defined at least in part by a loading port wall associated with the incubation chamber housing. The loading port wall is arranged to cooperate with the wall of a compartment in the loading position to restrict the extent to which the environment of the compartment in the loading position is in fluid communication with the environments of other compartments in the incubation chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: UNISENSE FERTILITECH A/SInventors: Niels Ramsing, Kim Bondergaard Madsen, Jonas Lerche Hansen, Troels Kofoed Mejer, Jorgen Berntsen
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Patent number: 10717957Abstract: A method of ranking embryos to indicate their development potential.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2015Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: UNISENSE FERTILITECH A/SInventors: Bjorn Molt Petersen, Mai Faurschou, Mikkel Boel
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Patent number: 10282842Abstract: Apparatus and methods for helping a user establish values (e.g. timings) for a plurality of parameters of interest (e.g. cell divisions) relating to the development of an embryo from a series of images of the embryo are described. For each parameter of interest an image is selected for display to a user seeking to establish a value for the parameter of interest. For example, the selected image may be an image predicted to be an image reflecting the value for the parameter of interest. For example, the selected image may be based on a calculated timing for a particular developmental event. The timing may be calculated from a numerical analysis of the images or maybe predetermined. If the user is unable to determine a value for the parameter of interest from the selected image, the user may scroll through neighboring images until the user can determine a value for the parameter of interest.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: UNISENSE FERTILITECH A/SInventors: Anton Paarup Kylling, Jorgen Berntsen, Niels Ramsing, Soren Porsgaard, Tine Qvistgaard Kajhoj, Reidun Berghold Kuhlmann
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Patent number: 10047331Abstract: A tray (100; 400; 500; 600) for accommodating a cell culture (101), such as an embryo, for use during culturing thereof and for optical monitoring of the cell culture, e.g. during in vitro fertilization comprises a carrier structure (104;404;504;604) defining at least one accommodating zone (102; 402; 502; 602) for accommodating the cell culture. At least one focal lens (110; 410; 510; 610), notably a numerical aperture increasing lens is integrally formed with the carrier structure to facilitate monitoring of the cell culture through the carrier structure. A diameter of the focal lens may exceed a diameter of the at least one accommodating zone. The focal lens may be integrally molded with the carrier structure from a thermoplastic material.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: UNISENSE FERTILITECH A/SInventors: Jonas Lerche Hansen, Niels B. Ramsing, Søren Porsgaard, Holger Søe Plougsgaard, Mai Faurschou Isaksen
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Publication number: 20170283754Abstract: A method of ranking embryos to indicate their development potential.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2015Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: UNISENSE FERTILITECH A/SInventors: Bjorn Molt PETERSEN, Mai FAURSCHOU, Mikkel BOEL
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Patent number: 9588104Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, a system and a method for performing monitoring and/or cultivation of microscopic objects. Microscopic objects are in particular microscopic organisms like bacteria and cell cultures, such as cultivation objects like tissue samples and embryos, providing optimal and safe cultivation conditions for incubation during embryo development and for facilitating the selection of optimal embryos to be used in vitro fertilization (IVF) by facilitating embryo handling for automated digital imaging and time-lapse microscopy.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Unisense FertiliTech A/SInventors: Niels B. Ramsing, Jorgen Berntsen, Jens K. Gundersen, Holger Soe Plougsgaard
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Publication number: 20170044476Abstract: A culture dish for holding one or more object to be cultured is described. The culture dish has a main body comprising at least one well for receiving an object to be cultured and a quantity of culturing media for the object, such as a water-based growth media, and a reservoir for receiving a quantity of cover media, such as mineral oil. The at least one well is provided in a floor of the reservoir so that when in normal use cover media in the reservoir overlays culturing media in the at least one well. The reservoir is defined by the reservoir floor and a reservoir wall extending away from the reservoir floor. At least a section of the reservoir wall is angled away from the vertical so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane defined by a surface of cover media in the reservoir when the culture dish is in normal use.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Applicant: Unisense FertiliTech A/SInventors: Kim Bondergaard Madsen, Jonas Lerche Hansen, Soren Porsgaard, Niels Ramsing, Jorgen Bertsen
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Publication number: 20170009195Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring embryos in an incubator are described. The apparatus comprises an incubation chamber defined by an incubation chamber housing and a slide carrier comprising a plurality of compartment walls that define compartments for holding embryo slides within the incubation chamber for incubation. The slide carrier is moveable, for example by rotation, relative to the incubation chamber housing to allow a selected compartment to be moved to a loading position defined at least in part by a loading port wall associated with the incubation chamber housing. The loading port wall is arranged to cooperate with the wall of a compartment in the loading position to restrict the extent to which the environment of the compartment in the loading position is in fluid communication with the environments of other compartments in the incubation chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2015Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: UNISENSE FERTILITECH A/SInventors: Niels Ramsing, Kim Bondergaard Madsen, Jonas Lerche Hansen, Troels Kofoed Mejer, Jorgen Berntsen
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Publication number: 20170009202Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring embryos in an incubator are described. The apparatus comprises an incubation chamber defined by an incubation chamber housing and a sample platform comprising a plurality of receptacles for holding embryos within the incubation chamber for incubation. The sample platform may comprise a slide carrier on which embryo slides containing the receptacles may be placed incubation. The sample platform is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the incubation chamber housing so as to allow receptacles to be selectively rotated to a monitoring position that is aligned with a viewing port provided in the incubation chamber housing, for example an opening or window. An imaging device is located outside the incubation chamber and arranged to image embryos within the incubation chamber at the monitoring position through the viewing port.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2015Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: UNISENSE FERTILITECH A/SInventors: Niels Ramsing, Jonas Lerche Hansen, Kim Bondergaard Madsen, Troels Kofoed Mejer, Jorgen Berntsen
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Publication number: 20160379364Abstract: Apparatus and methods for helping a user establish values (e.g. timings) for a plurality of parameters of interest (e.g. cell divisions) relating to the development of an embryo from a series of images of the embryo are described. For each parameter of interest an image is selected for display to a user seeking to establish a value for the parameter of interest. For example, the selected image may be an image predicted to be an image reflecting the value for the parameter of interest. For example, the selected image may be based on a calculated timing for a particular developmental event. The timing may be calculated from a numerical analysis of the images or maybe predetermined. If the user is unable to determine a value for the parameter of interest from the selected image, the user may scroll through neighbouring images until the user can determine a value for the parameter of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2015Publication date: December 29, 2016Applicant: Unisense FertiliTech A/SInventors: Anton Paarup Kylling, Jorgen Berntsen, Niels Ramsing, Soren Porsgaard, Tine Qvistgaard Kajhoj, Reidun Berghold Kuhlmann
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Publication number: 20140212911Abstract: The present invention relates to a system arranged for assisting secure handling of cells in order to minimize the risk of handling mistakes resulting in mix-up of cell samples. The system allows for one to one identification of cells during a whole culturing period. This is obtained by providing a culturing system with loading/exit control means which ensures that only one device is capable of being loaded/removed at a time.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: UNISENSE FERTILITECH A/SInventors: Niels B. Ramsing, Jorgen Berntsen, Jens K. Gundersen, Holger Soe Plougsgaard
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Publication number: 20140141463Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, a system and a method for performing monitoring and/or cultivation of microscopic objects. Microscopic objects are in particular microscopic organisms like bacteria and cell cultures, such as cultivation objects like tissue samples and embryos, providing optimal and safe cultivation conditions for incubation during embryo development and for facilitating the selection of optimal embryos to be used in vitro fertilization (IVF) by facilitating embryo handling for automated digital imaging and time-lapse microscopy.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: UNISENSE FERTILITECH A/SInventors: Niels B. Ramsing, Jorgen Berntsen, Jens K. Gundersen, Holger Soe Plougsgaard
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Publication number: 20140128667Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for determining quality criteria in order to select the most viable embryos after in vitro fertilization. The present invention may further be applied for iteratively adapting embryo quality criteria based on new knowledge, historical selection & fertilization data and cooperation between fertility clinics.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: UNISENSE FERTILITECH A/SInventors: Niels B Ramsing, Jens K Gundersen, Karen Marie Hilligsøe, Jørgen Berntsen, Inge Errebo Agerholm
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Publication number: 20140087415Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a system for selecting embryos for in vitro fertilization based on the timing, and duration of observed cell cleavages and associated cell morphology. One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for determining embryo quality comprising monitoring the embryo for a time period, and determining one or more quality criteria for said embryo, wherein said one or more quality criteria is based on the extent of irregularity of the timing of cell divisions when the embryo develops from four to eight blastomeres, and/or wherein said one or more quality criteria is based on determining the time of cleavage to a five blastomere embryo (t5) and wherein t5 is between 48.7 hours and 55.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: UNISENSE FERTILITECH A/SInventors: Niels B. Ramsing, Karen Marie Hillgsøe, Marcos Meseguer Escrivá
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Patent number: 8633017Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, a system and a method for performing monitoring and/or cultivation of microscopic objects. Microscopic objects are in particular microscopic organisms like bacteria and cell cultures, such as cultivation objects like tissue samples and embryos, providing optimal and safe cultivation conditions for incubation during embryo development and for facilitating the selection of optimal embryos to be used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) by facilitating embryo handling for automated digital imaging and time-lapse microscopy.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Unisense FertiliTech A/SInventors: Niels B. Ramsing, Jorgen Berntsen, Jens K. Gundersen, Holger Soe Plougsgaard
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Publication number: 20130225917Abstract: The invention concerns a system and method for determining embryo quality comprising monitoring the embryo for a time period, said time period having a length sufficient to comprise at least one cell division period and at least a part of an inter-division period, and determining the length of the at least one cell division period; and/or ii) determining the extent and/or spatial distribution of cellular or organelle movement during the cell division period; and/or iii) determining duration of an inter-division period; and/or iv) determining the extent and/or spatial distribution of cellular or organelle movement during the inter-division period thereby obtaining an embryo quality measure. Thus, the selection of optimal embryos to be implanted after in vitro fertilization (IVF) is facilitated based on the timing, duration, spatial distribution, and extent of observed cell divisions and associated cellular and organelle movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Unisense FertiliTech A/SInventor: Unisense FertiliTech A/S
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Publication number: 20130102837Abstract: The invention concerns a system and method for determining embryo quality comprising monitoring the embryo for a time period, said time period having a length sufficient to comprise at least one cell division period and at least a part of an inter-division period, and determining the length of the at least one cell division period; and/or ii) determining the extent and/or spatial distribution of cellular or organelle movement during the cell division period; and/or iii) determining duration of an inter-division period; and/or iv) determining the extent and/or spatial distribution of cellular or organelle movement during the inter-division period thereby obtaining an embryo quality measure. Thus, the selection of optimal embryos to be implanted after in vitro fertilization (IVF) is facilitated based on the timing, duration, spatial distribution, and extent of observed cell divisions and associated cellular and organelle movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: Unisense FertiliTech A/SInventors: Niels B. Ramsing, Jorgen Berntsen
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Publication number: 20120309043Abstract: The invention concerns a system and method for determining embryo quality comprising monitoring the embryo for a time period, said time period having a length sufficient to comprise at least one cell division period and at least a part of an inter-division period, and determining the length of the at least one cell division period; and/or ii) determining the extent and/or spatial distribution of cellular or organelle movement during the cell division period; and/or iii) determining duration of an inter-division period; and/or iv) determining the extent and/or spatial distribution of cellular or organelle movement during the inter-division period thereby obtaining an embryo quality measure. Thus, the selection of optimal embryos to be implanted after in vitro fertilization (IVF) is facilitated based on the timing, duration, spatial distribution, and extent of observed cell divisions and associated cellular and organelle movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Unisense FertiliTech A/SInventors: Niels B. Ramsing, Jorgen Berntsen
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Patent number: D700354Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Unisense FertiliTech A/SInventors: Holger Soe Plougsgaard, Inge Errebo Agerholm, Kamilla Sofie Pedersen, Mette Nielsen, Reidun Berghold Kuhlmann, Lisbeth Kongsbak Lyngberg, Karin Tubbert Clausen, Jens K. Gundersen, Niels B. Ramsing