The Role of CO₂ Incubator in an IVF Laboratory

During an IVF procedure, the egg is fertilized by the sperm cell in the laboratory instead of fertilizing inside the human body. For this fertilization to happen and to be successful, it is important to mimic the environmental condition of the embryo developing inside the uterus. To achieve the favorable condition needed by the embryos, an incubator is used to provide all the necessary conditions for the growth of an embryo.  An IVF incubator will serve as an artificial uterus for the embryos to grow and develop until such time that it is mature enough to be transferred into the mother’s womb.

Temperature

The optimal temperature necessary for the embryo to grow is 37 degrees Celsius. Any shift in temperature away from 37 degrees Celsius can give an adverse effect and irreversible damage to the embryo.

Gas Concentration Level

• Low Oxygen Level 

  Maintaining a low oxygen level can help for the optimal growth of the embryos. According to a study, lower oxygen concentration can improve the blastulation rate and increase the proportion of embryos reaching the stage of the expanded blastocyst with a normal inner cell mass, hence there is an overall improvement in live births when the embryos were cultured at a reduced oxygen level. 

• Regulating Carbon Dioxide level

  The pH level must also be maintained at 7.2-7.4 inside the incubator. Regulating the carbon dioxide level can help in maintaining the right amount of pH inside the incubator. Fluctuation in pH range can affect the quality of embryos and increase the risk of unsuccessful IVF cycles due to failure in the implantation of the viable fetus.

Decontaminating Agents

The environmental condition, inside the incubator needed by the embryos, is also favorable to the different opportunistic microorganisms that may infect samples. Aside from regular cleaning, adding a filtration system will secure the air quality re-circulating inside the incubator.

CelCulture® CO₂ Incubator 

As a well-known IVF equipment provider, Esco Medical offers a full range of equipment for IVF laboratories. Esco CelCulture® CO₂ Incubator is packed with outstanding features such as rapid parameter recovery, ISO Class 5 cleanliness, ISOCIDE^TM antimicrobial coating, a standard inner door that helps in reducing contamination risk, and other useful accessories for specialized applications.

Other key features:  

1. Smartsense™ Microcontroller Interface

-This system helps in monitoring the incubator parameters   

2. Quality Esco Construction

-The external surfaces of the incubator are powder-coated with Esco Isocide™ that helps in eliminating 99.9% of surface bacteria within 24 hours of exposure. It ensures a safer, cleaner, and healthier laboratory environment for both embryos and embryologists. 

3. ULPA Filter

-This filtration system is 99.9% efficient and superior to the conventional HEPA filter. It aids in maintaining the cleanliness inside the incubator. The chamber returns to ISO Class 5 cleanliness in 11 minutes upon closing the door to prevent contamination. 

4. Sample Port

-This sample port allows direct measurement of the chamber’s parameters such as temperature and CO₂ concentration.

5. Inner Door Kit 

-It also helps in reducing the recovery time of the parameters every time the door is needed to be opened for embryo monitoring and helps in eliminating contamination risks.

Having these features, Esco Medical’s CelCulture CO₂ Incubator could improve the success rate of the IVF cycle. Esco Medical ensures to reach and provide the needs of every IVF laboratory depending on the specification they are looking to.