Patent ID: 7015031
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: C12M,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An embryo specimen-culturing incubator assembly comprising: a) an embryo growth-supporting incubator, said incubator having a controlled internal atmosphere and having at least one specimen-supporting shelf containing a plurality of cup-shaped wells, said wells including transparent bottom walls; b) a plurality of optically transparent Petrie dish embryo specimen containers positioned in said incubator wells supported by said bottom walls of said wells, said containers containing at least one embryo culturing fluid drop; and c) embryo specimen growth-monitoring equipment associated with said incubator to visually monitor individual embryo specimen development in said container(s) through said bottom walls of said well(s) during an embryo specimen growth cycle, whereby individual embryo specimen development can be visually ascertained externally of the incubator without the need to remove the specimen container(s) from said incubator during said growth cycle, said growth-monitoring equipment including internal signal-producing optical imaging devices adjacent to said bottom walls of said well(s) in said incubator, and at least one external image signal-processing device outside of said incubator, which image signal-processing device converts signals from said imaging devices to visual images.