Fertility clinic testing new in vitro technique

A local fertility clinic is testing a surprisingly low-tech technique in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

The usual method is to grow embryos in a temperature-controlled incubator for a few days. In the new technique, eggs are fertilized in a 2-inch plastic capsule, which is placed in the woman's vagina.

After three days, the capsule is removed, and one or more embryos are implanted in the woman's uterus.

The capsule technique eliminates the hassle and expense of incubators. There also are important psychological benefits, said Veronica Jordan, CEO of Medelle Corp., which makes the device.

"Having fertilization occur in their body is a motivating factor for women," Jordan said. "They feel more involved and more connected with the procedure."

Medelle is funding a clinical trial of the capsule at several fertility centers, including IVF 1 in Chicago and Naperville.

The capsule in vitro technique was developed in the 1980s. Studies published in the 1990s found that pregnancy rates were comparable to traditional IVF techniques. But there were technical difficulties with the capsule, and the technique didn't catch on.

Jordan said Medelle has developed a capsule that does not have the technical problems of the old device. The new capsule is called INVOcell.

INVOcell contains a culture medium to grow as many as 10 embryos. (Any embryos that aren't implanted are frozen for possible future use.)

Although INVOcell is leak-proof, carbon dioxide can diffuse into it. The vagina provides nearly the perfect temperature and carbon dioxide level for embryos, said IVF 1 medical director Dr. Randy Morris.

But some fertility doctors are skeptical. Growing embryos is a delicate process, and a low-tech method might result in lower-quality embryos and reduced pregnancy rates, said Dr. Norbert Gleicher, medical director of the Center for Human Reproduction in New York.

"Logically, this cannot work as well as a well-calibrated incubator with well-qualified technicians," Gleicher said. "I would love to be proven wrong."

INVOcell is kept in place with a diaphragm. An earlier study found that some women experience slight discomfort, while others feel nothing. A woman can take showers while carrying the capsule, but she should not take baths, go swimming or engage in sexual intercourse or vigorous exercise, Jordan said.

If the new study shows INVOcell is safe and effective, Medelle will seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to market the device late next year.

The study will include infertile women younger than 35 whose mates have normal sperm counts. Participants will receive free in vitro fertilization, which normally costs about $12,000.

For more information, visit www.ivf1.com or call (630) 357-6540.