InVia Fertility Specialists is excited to announce the availability of Cryo Tech method vitrification at our Center. According to Dr. Masashige Kuwayama, the developer of this method, it is now possible to achieve a 100% survival rate for egg and embryo freezing using this technology.
Dr. Masashige Kuwayama is a legend in the field of Cryobiology. He has done over 20 years of research in ultra-rapid vitrification, starting with Cattle Blastocyst Vitrification in 1991, Porcine Oocytes in 1998 and human oocytes and embryos since 1999. He developed the Cryotop method for freezing human oocytes in 1999. Since then, his method has been used in over 1200 clinics in 40 countries. It has been used for more than 600,000 clinical cases, producing excellent results (survival rates approximated 90%). He has been continuously improving his technique, and now with major improvements in the solutions, a near perfect vitrification method, the Cryo Tech method has been developed. His research is being carried out at the Repro-Support Medical Research Center in Japan.
The new Cryo Tech method has certain distinct advantages over all the existing methods of vitrification. These include improved solutions with optimum viscosity. The solutions are stable for a year if refrigerated and for 3 months at room temperature. The technique for freezing eggs and embryos is the same making it very easy for the embryologists. The construction of the plates and holders is such that it is practically impossible to lose embryos or eggs during washing. Visualization of the eggs and embryos is with the same focus and therefore easy during loading and washing.
Vitrification, however, is highly skill dependent and the learning curve can be very steep. Close adherence to the prescribed protocol is paramount for perfect results.
All of this results in the highest possible pregnancy rates. It is estimated that in young patients with good quality eggs, one needs to thaw about seven frozen eggs to result in one live birth. This number is similar to the number of fresh eggs required to result in a live birth.
The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recently announced that egg freezing is no longer considered experimental. Egg freezing is indicated for medical reasons (cancer patients before undergoing chemotherapy) or social reasons (in women who are not quite ready to have a baby). At InVia Fertility Specialists, we are now confidently offering this state-of-the-art technology to our patients!
Click here to watch a video of Dr Kuwayama describing this technique or go to the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WkF3bBCJ12A#!
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