A mirror image microscopic imaging device, and a microneedle attitude calibration system and method. The mirror image microscopic imaging device comprises: a motion actuator (193) fixedly mounted on a microscope stage; a mirror image forming device support (192) of which one end is connected to the motion actuator; and a mirror image forming device (191) having a flat mirror that has a 45 included angle between the mirror plane and the horizontal plane of the microscope stage and between the mirror plane and the coronal plane, and mounted on the other end of the mirror image forming device support. With a simple structure and scheme, the attitude of a functional part of a microneedle can be calibrated to a desired state, i.e., a position relation where the lower edge of the functional part of the microneedle is parallel to the horizontal plane.

Provided is a cryopreservation container that prevents confusion of specimens to be used for treatment and that is suitable for individual management of fertilized eggs and the like to be cryopreserved. IC tags are attached to a cryopreservation tank 61, a canister 51, a cane 41, and cryopreservation containers such as an ovum storage container 1 and sperm storage containers 71, 81. The cryopreservation containers may also have individual identification codes attached hereto. An ovum storage container 11 is configured by fitting an IC tag 12 from the rear end of a rod-like part 2 of a conventional ovum storage container 1. In addition, the IC tag 12 is formed by providing an inlet 15 inside a thin-walled pipe 14 made of a synthetic resin. The inlet 15 may be fixed at both ends by means of fixing members 18, 18 composed of a nonconductive material, or may be integrally molded with a nonconductive synthetic resin material 20.

Provided is a cryopreservation container that prevents confusion of specimens to be used for treatment and that is suitable for individual management of fertilized eggs and the like to be cryopreserved. IC tags are attached to a cryopreservation tank 61, a canister 51, a cane 41, and cryopreservation containers such as an ovum storage container 1 and sperm storage containers 71, 81. The cryopreservation containers may also have individual identification codes attached hereto. An ovum storage container 11 is configured by fitting an IC tag 12 from the rear end of a rod-like part 2 of a conventional ovum storage container 1. In addition, the IC tag 12 is formed by providing an inlet 15 inside a thin-walled pipe 14 made of a synthetic resin. The inlet 15 may be fixed at both ends by means of fixing members 18, 18 composed of a nonconductive material, or may be integrally molded with a nonconductive synthetic resin material 20.

Artificial vaginas are disclosed that include an elongate housing, a liner within the elongate housing that is attached to the elongate housing, and a pressurized air tank arranged to bring the artificial vagina to an appropriate pressure. Such artificial vaginas may be brought to an operation temperature for the collection of semen by an air infuser that may contain a blower, a heating element and a shaft having a plurality of apertures through which heated air may flow.

The container straw comprises a tube (11) and a stopper (12) that is permeable to gasses and impermeable to liquids, which stopper (12) is arranged in the tube (11) near one end (16), characterized in that it comprises an indicator component (20) configured to emit, at least when the container straw (10) is full, light the spectrum of which contains at least one spike having a peak of predetermined wavelength. The assembly comprises the container straw (10) and a container straw recognition device (26).

Adaptive image processing, image analysis, pattern recognition, and time-to-event prediction in various imaging modalities associated with assisted reproductive technology. The reference image may be processed according to one or more adaptive processing frameworks for de-speckling or noise processing of ultrasound images. The subject image is processed according to various computer vision techniques for object detection, recognition, annotation, segmentation, and classification of reproductive anatomy, such as follicles, ovaries and the uterus. An image processing framework may also analyze secondary data along with subject image data to analyze time-to-event progression of the subject image.

Adaptive image processing, image analysis, pattern recognition, and time-to-event prediction in various imaging modalities associated with assisted reproductive technology. The reference image may be processed according to one or more adaptive processing frameworks for de-speckling or noise processing of ultrasound images. The subject image is processed according to various computer vision techniques for object detection, recognition, annotation, segmentation, and classification of reproductive anatomy, such as follicles, ovaries and the uterus. An image processing framework may also analyze secondary data along with subject image data to analyze time-to-event progression of the subject image.

An apparatus is provided for use with a fluid that contains biological cells, e.g. seminal fluid. The apparatus (20) includes a tray (22) shaped to define a flat upper surface configured to support the fluid, and an underside. The apparatus (20) further includes a plurality of protrusions protruding from the underside of the tray, which may serve to separate the underside from a flat surface on which the tray is placed, or as delineating protrusions that facilitate subsequent retrieval of the fluid following placement on the tray. The tray has a thickness between 0.4 and 0.8 mm, and is transparent or translucent. The upper surface preferably has a level of hydrophobicity that is sufficient for droplets to maintain their shape to a certain extent. A handle (52) facilitates handling of the tray. The apparatus typically fits into a standard-sized cryogenic vial (70).

The straw (11) filling device comprises a casing body having a cavity (43) in which the needle (9) of a nozzle (7) is placed. The needle is inserted into the straw tube (12) received in the cavity. The casing body is attached to a carriage separately from the needle. The cavity comprises a distal opening located on the distal end side of the needle, a proximal opening located on the proximal end side of the needle, and a longitudinal opening extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, thus enabling placement and removal of the needle in and out of the cavity in a direction transverse to the direction of the needle and preventing an adult finger accessing the distal end of the needle. The machine comprises a device of this type and a conveyor (2) designed to keep the straw tube in a filling position during each cycle.

It is an object to provide a technique useful for embryo transfer and development of reproductive medical care. Provided are a sperm activator containing a disrupted product of one or more cells selected from the group consisting of adipose tissue-derived stem cells, dental pulp-derived stem cells, bone marrow-derived stem cells, and umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells as an active ingredient, and an artificial insemination method utilizing the same.