Automation in Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: Technologies, Outcomes, and Future Directions

Abstract

Since its introduction in 1992, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has gained significance in assisted reproduction. In certain instances of male infertility, fertilization is made possible by the microsurgical insertion of a single sperm cell straight into the cytoplasm of an oocyte. These days, the majority of in vitro fertilizations worldwide use ICSI, which is carried out manually by qualified embryologists. However, automation is encouraged to increase overall uniformity and efficiency because manual ICSI is labor-intensive and subject to inconsistency depending on the skill of the em-bryologist. The state of the art in ICSI automation is outlined in this article, which includes computer vision-guided control mechanisms, robotic micromanipulation systems, and artificial intelligence (AI) for sperm selection. We dis-cuss the technical advancements that allow robots to perform key ICSI steps with high precision, such as automated sperm detection, sperm capture, oocyte detection, oocyte fixing, and injection using microneedles and piezo-electric actuators. Emerging AI algorithms that evaluate and select optimal sperm in real time and machine learning imaging systems for oocyte and embryo assessment are also examined. We present current outcomes from studies of automated ICSI, including the first healthy births achieved with a robotic ICSI platform, and compare technical and clinical results to conventional manual ICSI. Finally, we explore future directions and challenges, like integrating multiple lab procedures into an autonomous workflow, safety concerns, regulatory, and ethical considerations. Automation in ICSI has begun to show potential promise in improving reproductive technology, which leads to a new era of innovation in embryology labs.