Early embryo viability assessment
The Early Embryo Viability Assessment (Eeva) test is designed to improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes by providing clinicians and patients with objective information that will enable them to predict embryo viability with a new level of accuracy. Eeva uses intelligent computer vision software to measure key scientifically and clinically validated cell-division parameters from video images. It predicts with high accuracy at the cleavage stage which embryos will likely grow to the blastocyst stage, a critical milestone in embryo development. Until now, the field of reproductive medicine has been using subjective observation to determine embryo viability. With the commercial launch of Eeva, IVF clinics and their patients will now have access to a noninvasive test that delivers consistent, objective and actionable information to help identify viable embryos and determine which ones offer the greatest potential for transfer. The safety and efficacy of Eeva were validated in a prospective, multi-centre, 160-patient clinical trial, results of which were presented in July 2012 at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Annual Meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. In the study, Eeva was able to predict blastocyst formation at the cleavage stage with 85% specificity, reducing the false positive rate from 43% to 15% compared with traditional morphology selection. Eeva also demonstrated the ability to track and analyse cell division timings with greater than 90% accuracy. Additionally, Eeva was able to increase the consistency of embryo assessment across embryologists. Eeva provides early results that allow for timely decision-making. During the IVF cycle, there is a checkpoint on Day 3 in which clinicians make decisions about whether to transfer embryos. Eeva provides information about embryo viability as early as Day 3, allowing clinicians to select a viable embryo in a timely manner, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful patient outcome. Eeva consists of the Eeva Dish, which contains microwells enabling the tracking of the individual development of each embryo and allowing embryos to grow under group culture technique; the Eeva Scope that fits into most standard IVF incubators and provides automatic dark-field image capture and cell-division tracking without intervention by the embryologist or excessive light exposure to the embryos; the Eeva Scope Screen that fits on the outside of the incubator and allows the embryologist to control each patient session and view the latest images without opening the incubator or disturbing the embryos; the Eeva Station where images and videos for each Eeva patient session can be easily reviewed. The downloadable reports and videos may aid when counseling patients and improve the overall patient experience. Eeva is currently approved and available for use in the EU with the first installation at the Hewitt Fertility Centre in Liverpool.
