#Product Trends
Opto's DualStation embryo imaging microscope debuts at the $8Bn Sidra Medicine Womens Hospital, Doha
DualStation represents the next generation of IVF microscope: 200x and 400x magnifications on screen simultaneously, in full high contrast, with completely live refresh rates, in chamber
Optical engineering company, Opto GmbH of Munich Germany has recently delivered and installed 8 of its brand new DualStation embryo imaging microscopes to one of the worlds most advanced IVF clinics - Sidra Medicine in Doha, Qatar.
Over 3 years in development, the Opto DualStation brings together all the imaging techniques and magnifications that are typically used in IVF labs, and condenses them into a single, small footprint, affordable instrument that can be seamlessly housed inside the new breed of fully enclosed microscope chamber.
Microscope chambers such as those manufactured by Australian manufacturer TekEvent PTY are designed specifically to provide a very safe, highly controlled environment for the examination and handling of oocytes and embryos. With onboard microprocessor controlled humidity, temperature, CO2, and active HEPA and VOC filtration, such chambers enable users to precisely and efficiently control the localised embryo handling environment, irrespective of external lab conditions, and most importantly, have the capacity to house a microscope within their fully enclosed safe working environment.
Historically, two different types of microscope are utilised within the IVF procedure. Stereo microscopes are used for lower magnification tasks such as embryo assessment and collection, whilst at a separate location, inverted compound microscopes deliver the much higher magnifications (typically 200x & 400x) required for embryo morphology assessment and ICSI procedures. This often leads to separate microscope workstations being required, with multiple microscopes consuming valuable workspace and significantly increasing the overall cost of lab builds, in addition to increasing ongoing servicing and training requirements.
The Opto DualStation was conceived from an idea to simplify these needs, by condensing all the imaging systems and optical techniques used by the IVF process into one single, highly compact instrument that can be housed within a TekEvent CellTek 3000 enclosed embryo chamber. Such an instrument brings significant benefits to both the user, and ultimately, the patient:
It eliminates the need for multiple microscopes within a lab, increasing floorspace and reducing cost;
It reduce the very real risks associated with moving embryos from workstation to workstation
It significantly enhances the imaging experience of the user, leading to a more informed decision making process during embryo selection.
Since 1980, Opto has specialised in developing high performance optical imaging modules and subsystems for integration into biotechnology and cellular imaging instrumentation. With its deep heritage in machine vision and embedded microscopy, Opto was ideally placed to develop a high performance instrument that delivered the extensive imaging performance demands of the IVF Lab environment, with the reliability and consistency demanded by this mission-critical application.
DualStation represents the next generation of IVF microscope.
Combining the very best in classical stereo microscopy, with the latest advances in optical imaging technology. DualStation enables IVF professionals to have the best possible optical configuration in the safest embryo environment.
Read the full article published on 14 February 2019 by Martin Price, Group Commercial Director at OptoGroupGmbH & Co. KG, on the Opto Website https://www.opto.de/en/solutions/systems/special-microscopes/
