# OvaReady: An automated microfluidic oocyte retrieval and denudation device expanding access to IVF

> **NIH NIH R44** · AUTOIVF, INC. · 2022 · $849,973

## Abstract

In the United States, the total number of In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) clinics has stayed relatively stagnant through
the past decade, and the IVF-cycles per million women remains significantly lower than in other developed
countries. The greatest challenge for widespread use of IVF include its high cost, driven by the need for complex
and expensively equipped IVF laboratories and highly-trained embryologists. An IVF laboratory costs
approximately $2 million to build, which has the effect of confining IVF laboratories to high-density population
areas, causing geographic inaccessibility. The high cost and accessibility of IVF treatment is the leading
reason why couples are unable to undergo and/or delay IVF treatment. Additionally, demand for fertility
preservation through egg banking is rapidly increasing, but again the requirement of conducting the egg
collection in fully equipped facilities and cost stand as significant hurdles to broader adoption. Our goal is to
automate various functions within an embryology lab to decrease the cost and improve the overall accessibility
of IVF and egg banking. This will be achieved by reducing the equipment and personnel requirements so as to
pave the way towards de-centralization of IVF. Our technology will facilitate processing of gametes at basic
satellite clinics prior to them being transferred to central embryology laboratories or long-term storage facilities.
We propose to develop and commercialize a novel technique for preparation of human oocytes towards
preservation or assisted fertilization, to address both the accessibility and cost limitations. OvaReady, an
automated system that will utilize microfluidic devices to collect Cumulus-Oocyte-Complexes (COCs) from
follicular fluid aspirate (FFA) and denude them, will enable a one-touch preparation of vitrification or
ICSI-ready eggs. OvaReady will utilize innovative microfluidic technology with hardware and software controls,
to enable automated isolation of oocytes from FFA. Performing egg denudation in a closed and integrated system
will limit exposure of the eggs to deviations in temperature and pH, therefore improving safety, reliability, and
efficiency of the IVF treatment by removing inter-/intra-operator variability. A further benefit, more applicable to
today’s COVID environment, is that it will limit the operator exposure to potentially harmful agents in FFA.
In our preliminary study, we demonstrate a proof of principle microfluidic platform that conducts rapid denudation
of mouse oocytes from the COC, while maintaining their viability. In the proposed work, we will build on this
innovation and integrate the following functions: COC collection from follicular fluid aspirate; denudation,
washing, concentration of eggs to an appropriate handling volume for freezing, transport or insemination.
Through this Fast-Track application, we propose and plan to complete the following aims in this order: Develop
COC isolation unit and integrate with denuda...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10604758
- **Project number:** 4R44HD105529-02
- **Recipient organization:** AUTOIVF, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Ismail Emre Ozkumur
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $849,973
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2022-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10604758

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10604758, OvaReady: An automated microfluidic oocyte retrieval and denudation device expanding access to IVF (4R44HD105529-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10604758. Licensed CC0.

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