Method for automated sperm manipulation and device for holding sperm and oocytes

Abstract

Systems and methods for automated, computer-controlled, tracking and manipulation of motile specimen. The systems and methods of the present invention are suited for tracking and manipulating sperm, particularly for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedures. Also a device for holding motile cells, such as sperm, and non-motile cells, such as oocytes. The device of the present invention comprises a sealed chamber having an air outlet, one well for the motile cells, and another well for non-motile cells.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for holding oocytes and sperms, said device comprising:
 (a) one or more sperm-holding wells;   (b) a sealed chamber having an air outlet; and   (c) one or more oocyte-holding wells, each of the one or more oocyte-holding wells for oocytes including an array of through holes operable for holding the oocytes, each through hole in the array having openings on opposing ends, said through holes connecting the oocyte-holding well to the sealed chamber, the one or more oocyte-holding wells being operationally close to the one or more sperm-holding wells.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sperms and oocytes are provided in a culture medium, and wherein the device includes one or multiple dams around each sperms- and oocytes-holding well, said one or multiple dams capable of containing a substance suitable for maintaining the temperature and pH of the culture medium. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is manufactured into two or more parts, said two or more parts being configured to be assembled into the device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device comprises an assembly having at least two parts, one part including the one or more oocyte-holding wells, and another part including the one or more sperm-holding wells. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is disposable. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the center of each of the one or more sperm-holding wells is configured to be substantially close to a rotational axis of the device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sperm-holding wells and the one or more oocyte-holding wells include sloped walls. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is fabricated from optically transparent material. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is configured for use with an inverted microscope. 
     
     
         10 . The single device of  claim 1 , wherein said sealed chamber includes rounded corners. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is configured for use in intracytoplasmic sperm injection.