New device should bring home for fertility patients

by Karen Walrond (Subscribe to Karen Walrond's posts)
Feb 21st 2006 2:36PM

Filed under: Your Pregnancy, Work Life, Medical Conditions, Media, That's Entertainment

Via our Tipline: IndiStar.com is reporting that Dr. Leo Bonaventura has developed the INVOcell, a low-tech barrel-shapped device which is designed to allow the fertilization of eggs and development of embryos to occur inside the woman's body, instead of using incubation in a laboratory as is done for in-vitro fertilization.

Here's how the INVOcell works: sperm and egg are placed in a 2-inch-long capsule, which is, in turn, placed inside the woman's vagina in the hope that the eggs will develop into embryos. The embryos are then removed from the device, and then transferred into the woman's uterus.

"It's probably going to make a significant difference [in the cost of fertility treatments]," says Dr. Bonaventura. The cost reduction, he continued results from a reduced need for culturing equipment and staff time in the lab.

Thanks to momma2mingbu of 5 Dollars for the tip!