Embryo Transfer
A quick and simple procedure but also one of the most important steps in the IVF Lifecycle. Choosing the appropriate ET catheter is crucial for a successful implantation.
A quick and simple procedure but also one of the most important steps in the IVF Lifecycle. Choosing the appropriate ET catheter is crucial for a successful implantation.
The embryo transfer is a quick and simple procedure with no discomfort to the patient, but it is also one of the most important steps to ensure the expected outcome after all the hard work done (1).
Embryo transfer is routinely performed through the transcervical route. The quality and versatility of the ET catheters are essential to ensure a great user experience as Gynaecologists may encounter different patient conditions such as the presence of cervical mucus, acute uterine flexion, difficulty to pass through the internal os, or different lengths of the cervical canal and uterus.
Evaluation of the uterine cavity prior to embryo transfer allows to determine the length and angle of the cervical canal and the difficulty to access the uterine cavity, in order to choose the right ET catheter.
(1) Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Performing the embryo transfer: a guideline. 2017 Apr, 107(4): 882-896.
There are two categories of embryo transfer catheters: straight and precurved, and the decision to use one or another depends on the operator preference and the expected difficulty of the transfer. In order to ensure a more secure and precise transfer the users also count with different types of inner catheters and accessories.
The ideal embryo transfer catheter should be soft enough to avoid any trauma to the endocervix or endometrium and malleable enough to find its way into the uterine cavity. (https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/17/5/1149/845463).
Another important element for a successful embryo transfer is to avoid touching the uterine fundus, as this has been associated with lower clinical pregnancy rates.
The use of ultrasound guidance may facilitate embryo transfer and optimize the placement of the embryos inside the uterus. Currently there are ET catheters that offer enhanced echogenicity for this purpose.
Picture from “Importance of embryo transfer technique in maximizing assisted reproductive outcomes”. William B. Schoolcraft, M.D.
There are two categories of embryo transfer catheters: straight and precurved, and the decision to use one or another depends on the operator preference and the expected difficulty of the transfer. In order to ensure a more secure and precise transfer the users also count with different types of inner catheters and accessories.
The ideal embryo transfer catheter should be soft enough to avoid any trauma to the endocervix or endometrium and malleable enough to find its way into the uterine cavity. (https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/17/5/1149/845463).
Another important element for a successful embryo transfer is to avoid touching the uterine fundus, as this has been associated with lower clinical pregnancy rates.
The use of ultrasound guidance may facilitate embryo transfer and optimize the placement of the embryos inside the uterus. Currently there are ET catheters that offer enhanced echogenicity for this purpose.
Picture from “Importance of embryo transfer technique in maximizing assisted reproductive outcomes”. William B. Schoolcraft, M.D.
ET Catheters: Precurved and Straight
The characteristics of Kitazato EC-PRO and Precurved ET Catheters allow minimizing trauma to the patient and maximizing embryo implantation.
We offer a wide variety of lenghts and diameters to cover any laboratory need.
Transvaginal Ultrasound Guided Embryo Transfer with Daniel Bodri
The most popular ultrasound guidance is the transabdominal guidance, as it was introduced worldwide since 2.000.
However, a more recent method of transvaginal guidance has been widely used in Japan with some interesting advantages that Dr. Bodri describes in this video.
Kitazato offers a well curated selection of quality products that maximize success at every step of the IVF Lifecycle. Learn more about the products involved in each IVF procedure.
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