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Q&A: A device alternative to IVF?

INVO spoke to Medical Plastics News about its INVOCell product, and how it can act as an alternative to IVF.

First, where did the idea for INVOcell come from? 

The INVOcell story began when an embryologist at the fertility clinic at Cochin Hospital at Paris Descartes University, discovered that embryos could be preserved in the woman’s body, which acts as a natural incubator. When the power went out in the lab, the embryologist had to act quickly to preserve the eggs and sperm he was working with. He loaded fertilised eggs into sealed vials and asked the women if they would hold the vials inside of their bodies to keep them warm. Patients obliged and their bodies’ natural warmth replicated what had been happening in the lab for years. INVOcell was patented and FDA cleared in 2016, received CE mark in 2019 and is the first Intravaginal Culture (IVC) system in the world used for the natural in vivo incubation of eggs and sperm during fertilisation and early embryo development.

It’s an alternative to IVF, is it as effective, and can you explain how?

It is the only alternative to traditional in vitro fertilisation with nearly the same results. For millions struggling with infertility, access to treatment is often not possible. Financial challenges, limited availability of specialised medical care, and social or cultural roadblocks can prevent these hopeful parents from realising their dream to have a baby. INVOcell provides a solution that gives patients access to a safe, effective, and more affordable fertility treatment. Additionally, INVOcell is a great alternative to Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). For many patients there are multiple attempts using IUI and it often results in multiple births. IVC with INVOcell provides a much higher success rate and can control for multiples.

How does it work?

Intravaginal Culture (IVC) is the process where a woman’s body acts as a natural incubator. The first and only FDA-cleared, CE-marked medical device for IVC, INVOcell holds the egg and sperm within the woman’s body during fertilisation and early embryo development. A safe, intimate way for women to be connected right from the very beginning.

INVOcell offers a simple process: 

  1. After egg and sperm collection, they are placed into the INVOcell device for fertilisation. Many centres do intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) first. 
  2. The INVOcell is then placed near the cervix to allow incubation to take place. 
  3. Upon completion of the incubation period, the INVOcell is removed. 
  4. An embryo is selected for transfer. Any additional embryos may be cryopreserved. 

How often can the device be used?

Each device is single use. Women can have the INVOcell treatment as often as is recommended by their clinician. Many women have had multiple pregnancies using INVOcell. The device is made of the following:

Anything else that you would like to add? 

At INVO Bioscience our mission is to help people realise the dream of parenthood by increasing worldwide access to an efficient, effective, and connected experience in reproductive treatment. It’s estimated that worldwide 7-10% of people of reproductive age experience infertility. The current systems cannot meet the growing demand for advanced reproductive treatment. INVOcell provides the ability to address key challenges regarding cost and capacity to help treat the underserved patients. INVOcell reduces the need for expensive lab equipment and resources while maintaining comparable success rates at an affordable cost. Our go-to-market strategy is an innovative approach to making this effective treatment available to more people. It includes building INVO Centres, partnering with IVF clinics and offering IVC through worldwide distributors. Our three centres currently serving patients are Bloom Fertility in Atlanta, Innovative Fertility in Birmingham, and Positib in Monterrey, Mexico. Our Tampa location will open later this year.  

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