Reimagining the Miracle of Life: IVF‑on‑a‑Chip
From manual pipetting to programmable acoustics — Acoustic Tweezers × Microfluidics
By Cedric Tasheng Chen, MD
ObGYN physician; Microfluidics & MEMS researcher
The Current Challenge: An Expensive and Laborious Journey
7-9
Embryologist Hours
Per patient across a full IVF cycle
$15K-25K
Cost Per Cycle
Prohibitively expensive, limiting access
IVF remains intensely manual and expensive. Growing infertility prevalence and adoption of PGT push cycles upward, but the manual model does not scale. Affordability limits access for many couples seeking fertility treatment.
Why Current "Automation" Isn't the Answer
Excellent time‑lapse culture monitoring and AI support, but no automation of handling (oocyte/sperm prep, IVF/ICSI, media exchange, biopsy, vitrification).
It automates the watching, not the doing.
Robotized pipetting around dishes leverages standard labware but is bulky, high‑CapEx, complex, and remains contact‑based with shear risks. Throughput scales with robot count and footprint.
IVF‑on‑a‑Chip rethinks the process itself: compact, contactless, and software‑defined.
Our Solution: Acoustic Tweezers (SAW)
Surface Acoustic Wave technology enables contactless, precise manipulation of gametes and embryos through programmable sound waves.
Microfluidics Modules
Micro‑wells/channels
Stage and route gametes & embryos. Provides stable micro‑environment with reduced exposure to external conditions.
Low‑flow perfusion & micro‑valves
Media exchange, loading and unloading. Minimizes shear forces while automating routine handling tasks.
Environmental control
Temperature, pH, and O₂ stability. Fewer incubator openings ensure consistent conditions throughout the process.
Imaging ports/time‑lapse
Inline monitoring and AI scoring. Links real-time decisions to automated actions for optimal outcomes.
IVF Workflow Transformation
From manual pipetting to automated, software-controlled processes at every stage of the IVF cycle.
Science & Safety: Rigorous Controls
Acoustic Parameters
  • Pressure: ~0.1–0.5 MPa (calibrated per chip)
  • Frequency: ~10–20 MHz (SAW transducer design)
  • Thermal rise: < 0.5–1.0 °C (IR/thermocouple feedback)
  • Shear stress: Embryo‑tolerant range (flow modeling)
Biocompatibility & Validation
  • Medical‑grade COC/PMMA materials(PDMS)
  • Embryo toxicity & ISO 10993 screens
  • Outcome metrics: Survival, cleavage timing, blastocyst rate
  • GLP preclinical studies
Impact & Future Vision
90%
Technician Time Reduction
From ~6–8 hours per patient
90%
Fewer Incubator Openings
Minimizing environmental disruption
20%
Blastulation Rate Improvement
The chip‑scale, parallelizable, contactless approach automates the steps between frames—transforming fertility treatment accessibility.
Scientific Details
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