Abstract: Methods for non-invasive retrieval of viable (i.e., able to be fertilized) oocytes from the uterus via a combination of unique ovarian stimulation and uterine lavage technology. These methods may eliminate the need for an invasive surgical procedure. Embodiments include the use of a novel hormonal protocol, including the use of injectable gonadotropins, to induce the release of immature oocytes from the ovaries of a patient. The immature oocytes mature as they transit the fallopian tubes such that mature, viable oocytes may be collected from the uterus via a uterine lavage procedure. Further embodiments include the use of a novel hormonal protocol, including the administration of Prostaglandins, Estradiol, and/or Progesterone Blockers, to accelerate transport of oocytes through the fallopian tubes.

Abstract: A kit having instructions for use for performing uterine lavage in a female patient includes a uterine lavage catheter configured for insertion into a woman's uterus to remove viable blastocysts from the uterus, and one or more first containers having a sufficient dosage amount of a GnRH antagonist to cause desynchronization of the endometrium of the patient prior to, during and/or following recovery of viable blastocysts from the uterus.

Abstract: A kit having instructions for use for performing uterine lavage in a female patient includes a uterine lavage catheter configured for insertion into a woman's uterus to remove viable blastocysts from the uterus, and one or more first containers having a sufficient dosage amount of a GnRH antagonist to cause desynchronization of the endometrium of the patient prior to, during and/or following recovery of viable blastocysts from the uterus.

Abstract: A process for recovering one or more blastocysts from a uterus of a human includes a step of placing a device transvaginally into a cervical canal of the patient; a step of delivering fluid through the device to the uterus and applying a vacuum to a uterus of the patient to aspirate fluid and entrained one or more blastocysts from the uterus; and a step of performing a biopsy procedure on the one or more recovered blastocysts to remove one or more of trophectoderm cells or inner cell mass from the recovered blastocysts. The process may further include a step of storing one or more of the biopsied trophectoderm cells or inner cell mass following the biopsy procedure and a step of performing at least one molecular diagnostic assay test on the one or more of the biopsied trophectoderm cells or inner cell mass.

Abstract: A process for recovering one or more blastocysts from a uterus of a human is disclose which comprises placing a device transvaginally into a cervical canal of the patient; delivering fluid through the device to the uterus and applying a vacuum to the uterus to aspirate fluid and entrained one or more blastocysts from the uterus; and causing a disruption of to the uterus and/or to one or more embryos remaining in the uterus following removal of one or more blastocysts from the uterus to reduce the chance that any such retained embryos remaining in the uterus will form a viable pregnancy, wherein the causing a disruption comprises one or more of the following: inducing a mechanical disruption of the uterus, delivering a hormonal agent to the uterus, delivering a chemical agent to the uterus, inducing a thermal disruption of the uterus, or using ultrasound or radiofrequency energy to induce said disruption.

Abstract: A process for recovering one or more blastocysts from a uterus of a human is disclose which comprises placing a device transvaginally into a cervical canal of the patient; delivering fluid through the device to the uterus and applying a vacuum to the uterus to aspirate fluid and entrained one or more blastocysts from the uterus; and causing a disruption of to the uterus and/or to one or more embryos remaining in the uterus following removal of one or more blastocysts from the uterus to reduce the chance that any such retained embryos remaining in the uterus will form a viable pregnancy, wherein the causing a disruption comprises one or more of the following: inducing a mechanical disruption of the uterus, delivering a hormonal agent to the uterus, delivering a chemical agent to the uterus, inducing a thermal disruption of the uterus, or using ultrasound or radiofrequency energy to induce said disruption.

Abstract: A kit having instructions for use for performing uterine lavage in a female patient includes a uterine lavage catheter configured for insertion into a woman's uterus to remove viable blastocysts from the uterus, and one or more first containers having a sufficient dosage amount of a GnRH antagonist to cause desynchronization of the endometrium of the patient prior to, during and/or following recovery of viable blastocysts from the uterus.

Abstract: A kit having instructions for use for performing uterine lavage in a female patient includes a uterine lavage catheter configured for insertion into a woman's uterus to remove viable blastocysts from the uterus, and one or more first containers having a sufficient dosage amount of a GnRH antagonist to cause desynchronization of the endometrium of the patient prior to, during and/or following recovery of viable blastocysts from the uterus.

Abstract: A kit having instructions for use for performing uterine lavage in a female patient includes a uterine lavage catheter configured for insertion into a woman's uterus to remove viable blastocysts from the uterus, and one or more first containers having a sufficient dosage amount of a GnRH antagonist to cause desynchronization of the endometrium of the patient prior to, during and/or following recovery of viable blastocysts from the uterus.

Abstract: A kit having instructions for use for performing uterine lavage in a female patient includes a uterine lavage catheter configured for insertion into a woman's uterus to remove viable blastocysts from the uterus, and one or more first containers having a sufficient dosage amount of a GnRH antagonist to cause desynchronization of the endometrium of the patient prior to, during and/or following recovery of viable blastocysts from the uterus.

Abstract: A kit having instructions for use for performing uterine lavage in a female patient includes a uterine lavage catheter configured for insertion into a woman's uterus to remove viable blastocysts from the uterus, and one or more first containers having a sufficient dosage amount of a GnRH antagonist to cause desynchronization of the endometrium of the patient prior to, during and/or following recovery of viable blastocysts from the uterus.

Abstract: A process for recovering one or more blastocysts from a uterus of a human is disclose which comprises placing a device transvaginally into a cervical canal of the patient; delivering fluid through the device to the uterus and applying a vacuum to the uterus to aspirate fluid and entrained one or more blastocysts from the uterus; and causing a disruption of to the uterus and/or to one or more embryos remaining in the uterus following removal of one or more blastocysts from the uterus to reduce the chance that any such retained embryos remaining in the uterus will form a viable pregnancy, wherein the causing a disruption comprises one or more of the following: inducing a mechanical disruption of the uterus, delivering a hormonal agent to the uterus, delivering a chemical agent to the uterus, inducing a thermal disruption of the uterus, or using ultrasound or radiofrequency energy to induce said disruption.

Abstract: A kit having instructions for use for performing uterine lavage in a female patient includes a uterine lavage catheter configured for insertion into a woman's uterus to remove viable blastocysts from the uterus, and one or more first containers having a sufficient dosage amount of a GnRH antagonist to cause desynchronization of the endometrium of the patient prior to, during and/or following recovery of viable blastocysts from the uterus.

Abstract: A device for recovering one or more blastocysts from the uterus of a human includes an outer guide member for insertion into a cervical canal of the human. The outer guide member includes a distal portion with an activatable seal for isolating the uterus from the external environment and defines a lumen having a longitudinal axis. The device also includes an inner catheter located within the lumen and slidable along the longitudinal axis of the lumen relative to the outer guide member. The inner catheter has a distal tip positionable distally of the seal to extend into the uterus and includes a fluid delivery lumen terminating at a distal fluid delivery port for delivering fluid into the uterus. The device defines a distal suction port for aspirating fluid and entrained blastocysts from the uterus. The distal fluid delivery port and the distal suction port are arranged such that, in use, fluid delivered from the distal fluid delivery port travels through the distal suction port to the uterus.

Abstract: A device for recovering one or more blastocysts from the uterus of a human includes an outer guide member for insertion into a cervical canal of the human. The outer guide member includes a distal portion with an activatable seal for isolating the uterus from the external environment and defines a lumen having a longitudinal axis. The device also includes an inner catheter located within the lumen and slidable along the longitudinal axis of the lumen relative to the outer guide member. The inner catheter has a distal tip positionable distally of the seal to extend into the uterus and includes a fluid delivery lumen terminating at a distal fluid delivery port for delivering fluid into the uterus. The device defines a distal suction port for aspirating fluid and entrained blastocysts from the uterus. The distal fluid delivery port and the distal suction port are arranged such that, in use, fluid delivered from the distal fluid delivery port travels through the distal suction port to the uterus.

Abstract: A process for recovering one or more blastocysts from a uterus of a human is disclose which comprises placing a device transvaginally into a cervical canal of the patient; delivering fluid through the device to the uterus and applying a vacuum to the uterus to aspirate fluid and entrained one or more blastocysts from the uterus; and causing a disruption of to the uterus and/or to one or more embryos remaining in the uterus following removal of one or more blastocysts from the uterus to reduce the chance that any such retained embryos remaining in the uterus will form a viable pregnancy, wherein the causing a disruption comprises one or more of the following: inducing a mechanical disruption of the uterus, delivering a hormonal agent to the uterus, delivering a chemical agent to the uterus, inducing a thermal disruption of the uterus, or using ultrasound or radiofrequency energy to induce said disruption.

Abstract: A device for recovering one or more blastocysts from the uterus of a human includes an outer guide member for insertion into a cervical canal of the human. The outer guide member includes a distal portion with an activatable seal for isolating the uterus from the external environment and defines a lumen having a longitudinal axis. The device also includes an inner catheter located within the lumen and slidable along the longitudinal axis of the lumen relative to the outer guide member. The inner catheter has a distal tip positionable distally of the seal to extend into the uterus and includes a fluid delivery lumen terminating at a distal fluid delivery port for delivering fluid into the uterus. The device defines a distal suction port for aspirating fluid and entrained blastocysts from the uterus. The distal fluid delivery port and the distal suction port are arranged such that, in use, fluid delivered from the distal fluid delivery port travels through the distal suction port to the uterus.

Abstract: A device for recovering one or more blastocysts from the uterus of a human includes an outer guide member for insertion into a cervical canal of the human. The outer guide member includes a distal portion with an activatable seal for isolating the uterus from the external environment and defines a lumen having a longitudinal axis. The device also includes an inner catheter located within the lumen and slidable along the longitudinal axis of the lumen relative to the outer guide member. The inner catheter has a distal tip positionable distally of the seal to extend into the uterus and includes a fluid delivery lumen terminating at a distal fluid delivery port for delivering fluid into the uterus. The device defines a distal suction port for aspirating fluid and entrained blastocysts from the uterus. The distal fluid delivery port and the distal suction port are arranged such that, in use, fluid delivered from the distal fluid delivery port travels through the distal suction port to the uterus.

Abstract: A kit having instructions for use for performing uterine lavage in a female patient includes a uterine lavage catheter configured for insertion into a woman's uterus to remove viable blastocysts from the uterus, and one or more first containers having a sufficient dosage amount of a GnRH antagonist to cause desynchronization of the endometrium of the patient prior to, during and/or following recovery of viable blastocysts from the uterus.

Abstract: A kit having instructions for use for performing uterine lavage in a female patient includes a uterine lavage catheter configured for insertion into a woman's uterus to remove viable blastocysts from the uterus, and one or more first containers having a sufficient dosage amount of a GnRH antagonist to cause desynchronization of the endometrium of the patient prior to, during and/or following recovery of viable blastocysts from the uterus.