Next-Generation Product Continuously Measures pH Levels – The Best Predictor of Success During Initial Days of Procedure
SEATTLE, WA – October 13, 2015 — Chances of a successful live birth after just one in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure are being improved thanks to a new laboratory instrument announced today by Blood Cell Storage Inc. (BCSI).
BCSI’s product, SAFE Sens® TrakStation™, available this quarter, applies a best-practices approach based on pH monitoring during the initial five days of the in vitro fertilization process. The monitoring of pH is considered the best predictor of an IVF-induced live birth by leading embryologists including Dr. David Ball, Seattle Reproductive Medicine; Dr. Klaus Wiemer, POMA Fertility; and Dr. Jason Swain, Fertility Lab Sciences.
For couples facing the financially and emotionally draining process of IVF – a $90B worldwide market – choosing a clinic with solutions that can help reduce the number of treatments yet increase the likelihood of a single-child, live birth represents a significant breakthrough.
Today, most embryologists utilize “point-in-time” monitoring of pH combined with visual evidence of embryo development. These measurements are highly susceptible to shifts in temperature and other lab environment factors like humidity and elevation, among other conditions that can corrupt the monitoring results and compromise the embryo.
“Because TrakStation measures pH levels directly inside the incubator, there is no opportunity for contamination of the culture or environmental sampling errors introduced during the measurement process,” said Russ Aldrich, chief executive officer.
TrakStation monitoring is continuous compared to alternative approaches that are performed at random intervals, or points in time, for every incubator in the lab. Additionally, TrakStation can monitor up to eight (8) incubators or desktop chambers simultaneously. “Continuous reading over the critical five-day embryo development period is essential to assure that the balance of acidity mimics the conditions inside the female reproductive tract, enhancing the likelihood of a successful blastocyst which can lead to pregnancy and a live birth,” adds Aldrich.
Unlike most laboratory devices, TrakStation requires no additional calibration after the initial settings are established. This results in lower cost, less down time and less staff time to administer. TrakStation monitors a surrogate media sample inside the closed incubator environment and provides pH level recording with visual feedback that helps to document a consistent environment during embryo development.
IVF clinics and clinicians utilizing TrakStation can improve efficiency by reducing the number of client visits while lessening the emotional stress on couples. This affords TrakStation-equipped clinics with a significant competitive advantage in the highly competitive IVF market.
TrakStation will be exhibited and demonstrated at the 2015 annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), October 17-21 in Baltimore MD (Booth 102).
About Blood Cell Storage, Inc.
Blood Cell Storage Inc. (BCSI), based in Seattle, Washington, is an international laboratory instrument and medical devices company. BCSI’s patented technology and products benefit patients, clinicians, researchers, pathologists and doctors. In addition to IVF monitors, the company’s fluorescent dyes, micro-fluidics, nucleic acid extraction capabilities and automated systems reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. http://www.bloodcellstorage.com/
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Russ Aldrich, BCSI, +1.425.654.8449 (D), +1.858.775.9240 (C)
Stan DeVaughn, Write Angle, +1.650.823.7469 (C)