New scan to up IVF success
A.I. finds viable embryo 85% of time
AN artificially intelligent system that selects viable embryos with 85% accuracy is set to hugely increase the success rate of IVF.
Medics say the method will revolutionise therapy, and will be available to patients within five years.
The AI supercomputer examines photos of embryos taken in an incubator, to determine which is the mostly likely to result in a live birth.
The technology was developed jointly by Imperial College London and Cornell University in New York.
Researchers say that for women under 35 without any other health conditions, it could increase the IVF live birth rate to 70%. Currently, the rate on the NHS is around 30%.
About half of early pregnancy losses are due to embryos having an abnormal number of chromosomes.
Dr Nikica Zaninovic, of Cornell University, explained: “If AI can recognise embryos that are normal and those that are abnormal chromosomally, that will result in a reduced miscarriage and stillbirth rate.”
Embryologists have been examining timelapse photos, without AI, to choose embryos since around 2010.
Scientists fed more than 50,000 of these historic images of embryos into a supercomputer in New York. It was told which resulted in live births, miscarriage or stillbirths, to teach it about what to look for in successful embryos. The 85% selection rate compares to 60% for time-lapse photos without AI, say medics. Dr Cristina Hickman, of Imperial College London, said: “As embryologists, we are only capable of processing a very small fraction of this information. AI augments our ability to process the information, like a super-powered calculator.”
Dr Zaninovic said the method can be used across the world. He added: “I just need patient information from a hospital in London and the embryo image, and I can put this in the computer. Within five years, it will be routinely used in clinical settings.”
They unveiled the study this week at an American Society for Reproductive Medicine meeting in Denver.