Patent ID: 6426213
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: A61B,Y10S

Abstract:
A sperm analysis system comprising:(a) a sperm sample carrier including: (1) a shank defining a chamber and an opening into the chamber for ingress and egress of a sperm sample, (2) manually operated means for aspirating a sample of sperm into the chamber, and (3) a plurality of distinct photon paths intersecting and passing through the chamber; (b) a processor responsive to an actuation signal from an operator; (c) photon source means, energized by the processor in response to the actuation signal, for sending respective beams of photons through each of the photon paths; (d) a plurality of photosensing means, one for each photon path, each for producing a signal indicative of the occurrence and frequency of perturbations in the beam of photons passing through said each's respective photon path and communicating the signal to the processor; (e) an algorithm run by the processor for processing the plurality of photosensing means' signals to produce a quantified figure of merit indicative of the motility of sperm within the chamber; and (f) means for communicating to an operator the figure of merit.