BioXcell out of Beverly, MA has received approval in the EU to market its fertility assist device called INVOcell. The device, an incubator designed to hold a postfertilization oocyte(s), is placed into the maternal vaginal cavity. The idea is to replace the artificial in vitro fertilization (IVF) lab with a natural maternal environment to optimize early embryo development inside the INVOcell device.
From the press release:
According to Claude Ranoux, M.D., President and Chief Scientist of BioXcell, “INVOcell allows conception and embryo development to take place inside the woman’s body, making having a baby simpler and less expensive, while promoting more involvement by the woman. Our device, the INVOcell, and the INVO procedure, are less expensive and simpler to perform than conventional in vitro fertilization.”
Dr. Ranoux added, “The INVO procedure uses a lower stimulation approach to produce eggs for fertilization. Eggs are combined with sperm in the INVOcell device and placed in the woman’s vaginal cavity where it remains for 3 days. This step eliminates the need for a complex IVF laboratory and allows the woman’s body to provide the nurturing environment in which conception and early embryo development take place.”
Press release: BioXcell’s New INVOcell Receives CE Mark “Declaration of Conformity;” Allows Conception and Embryo Development to Take Place Inside the Woman’s Body
Product page: INVOcell
Abstract: INVO: a simple, low cost effective assisted reproductive technology Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/den163
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