Evaluating embryo selection

Evaluating embryo selection. The VISA study.

Will artificial intelligence be the way of the future in determining embryo selection? Help us test the use of AI in embryo selection compared to embryologists.

Normally, in IVF, embryos are created in the laboratory and grown for five days before transfer.  On the day of transfer, the embryologist studies the appearances of the embryos and uses a standard grading system to select the embryo with the highest likelihood of success.

We have recently developed a new artificial intelligence tool for assessing embryos to choose the best one for transfer. When embryos are grown in the lab, incubators fitted with built-in cameras generate thousands of images of each embryo. The AI technology selects the embryo most likely to develop into pregnancy by assigning each embryo an embryo score after evaluating these data points.

We want to test it to find out if it will give better results than the embryologist’s grading alone.  We therefore want to compare the two approaches, using a research design called a randomised controlled trial, where the embryo selection technique is allocated at random.

Half of the patients will be randomly allocated to having the embryologist choose the embryo. Half of the patients will be randomly allocated to having our artificial intelligence system, choose the embryo.

The overall chance of getting pregnant from these embryos will be exactly the same, since the embryos themselves will not be any different. All that will be different between the two groups is the method of choosing the order in which the embryos will be selected for transfer. We want to find out which one is better.

It will not affect your treatment in any other way. Your doctor will still select the best treatment for you to help you get pregnant and the laboratory team will still tailor your treatment to meet your individual needs.

Can you help us test this new technology?

If you're interested in finding our more, please contact your clinic or nurse.