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Robotic System for In-Vitro Fertilization “Microna IVF-01”

Microna Ltd

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Profile of Microna LtdMicrona Ltd is established on 2010 as a spin-off company from the Instiutte of

Mechanics. The company patented the technical achievements in the domain of

mechatronics and micro-fluidics, integrating them successfully in the field of cell

biology and in particular for complex operations with biological cells.

ActivitiesInvestigation, development and manufacturing of :

o Robotic systems and technologies

o Control systems and softwareMarketing and commercialization of products for robotisation of micro &

nanotechnologiesConsultancyTrainings

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Projects of Microna Ltd

(main activity at this stage of development)

Name: “Robotic system for in-vitro fertilization”Operative program “Development of the competitiveness of the Bulgarian

economy (2007-2013)” – Ministry of Economy and EnergyProcedure: BG161PO003-1.1.05 “Development of inovations for starting

enterprises” (October 2012 – April 2015).Total amount of the eligible costs: 356 026.38 BGNTotal abount of the grant: 318 689.21 BGNCo-funding: 37 347.17 BGN

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Aim of the projectDevelopment of a methodology and robotic system for in-vitro fertilization according to ICSI assisted procedure (intra-cytoplasm sperm injection). The

improved assisted tool don’t eliminate the embriologist from the whole process but change the skills of the humat with the skills of the robot.

Challenges of Microna Ltd

Development of an innovative service for in-vitro fertilization, increasing parameters like position accuracy, sterility level, procedure duration. Development of a software for automate control, improving the commercial tele-manipulated systems.Automation of all fluidic processes by a micro-fluidic device.Co-operation with in-vitro clinics in Bulgaria and on abroad, integrating the robotic system in the assisted reproductive medicine.

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Design concept of the robotic system for in-vitro fertilization

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Innovative aspect of Microna IVF-01The system is fully automated and PC controlledThe replacement of a Petri-dish with a micro-fluidic device will optimize the

control algorithms regarding the velocity and accuracy.

FunctionalityAutomate and fast finding of the oocytes in the Petri-dish and learning their

coordinates.Positioning of next oocyte in the middles of the working focal space.Automate immobilization of the oocyte by a piezo-manipulator or by a

micro-fluidic device.Determination of the orientation of the oocyte, waiting a confirmation for

authenticity by operatorAssessment of the sperm cells according to shape and velocity, marking of

the most suitable and interactive selection by operator.

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Micro-fluidic device: 1-base platform; 2-immobilization module; 3-sperm chamber; 4-oocyte shamber; 5-container for injected cells; 6-bi-directional valve; 7-micro-pump 2; 8-buffer

reservoir 2; 9-chamber for the selection module; 10-module for selection and transport; 11-step-moto; 12-buffer reservoir 1; 13-micro-pump 1; 14-micro-hole for immobilisation; 15 –

reservoir for non-injected cells

Design concept of the micro-fluidic device for ICSI

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Optical system:Automate change of :

o Objectives: 5х, 10х, 20х,

40х

o Focus: 10nm resolution

o Illumination:

Digital camera: 5 Mpix, 30 fps, 10 bit

Robotic system:2 piezo-manipulators:Degrees of freedom: - 3 –

XYZResolution along XYZ: - 1µmVelocity: - up 5mm/secRange XYZ – 20/20/20mm:

XY positioning module:Resolution: - 1µmRange XY: 130/100 mm

Micro-fluidic system:Section for sperm cellsSection for oocytes: Control: Micro-pumpsFunctionality

o Positioning,

immobilization of

oocytes;

o Release of the injected

oocytes.

Temperature controlled

system:Accuracy: 0.1 C°

Computing systems:Work stantion HP Z600

Technical characteristics of Microna IVF-01

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What offers Microna Ltd

Selling of the robotic system for in-vitro fertilization

Design of such systems, integrating the available module of the client

and know-how of the company

Services for automated cell manipulations, based on the possibilities of

the robotic system for in-vitro fertilization, thus making the

manipulations more effective and cheaper (the long work and

elimination of the human errors because of the fatigue and loose of

concentration).

Automation or robotization of processes for testing and validation,

different manipulations or injection of cells or other biological objects.

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Robotisation of the procedure injection of frog oocytes

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Development, investigation and calibration of a force sensor for measurement of pressure forces

over biological cells

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Development and investigation of MEMS for integration in load cells

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Experimental measurement of pressure forces over sebrafish embios

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Thank you for your attention

Microna Ltd1113, Sofia, BulgariaAcad. G. Bonchev str., bl. 4Тел.: +359 898 524637, +359 2 979 64 21e-mail: tihomir@microna.eu www.microna.eu