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Inverted microscope and ICSI and micromanipulation equipment in an IVF lab

This is where we do the ICSI and assisted hatching procedures. These procedures are often referred to as micromanipulation. The inverted microscope is also used to look very closely at the eggs or embryos.

In the center of the image is the microscope itself
On each side are micromanipulator controllers used for ICSI and assisted hatching
On the far right is our video and printing equipment

The stage (where the dish containing your embryos will be placed) of our microscope is heated to 37^oC (body temperature)
This maintains the optimal temperature for the eggs and/or embryos

Embryologist at work (looking at embryos on the inverted microscope)

This microscope has special optics that provide high-resolution views of eggs, sperm and embryos such as this:

High-quality 8 cell embryo
5 of the 8 cells are in the plane of focus - a sixth one is visible above the plane of focus
2 more cells are behind the plane of focus
This embryo is about 120 microns in diameter
1000 microns is a millimeter
25.4 millimeters is an inch
210 of these embryos lined up end to end would be one inch long

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