INVO: A simple, low cost effective assisted reproductive technology

Abstract

INVO procedure is a simple and effective infertility treatment that uses a new device, the INVOcell. INVO can be performed in a physician's office or in a satellite facility of an IVF center. The INVO procedure consists of fertilization of oocyte(s) and early embryo development in the INVOcell placed into the maternal vaginal cavity for incubation. The vaginal cavity replaces the complex in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory. This study presents the specially designed device, INVOcell that has received CE Certification. INVOcell overcomes the disadvantages of the previously used prototype and makes the procedure simpler and reproducible. INVO is a proven procedure that has demonstrated comparable results to conventional IVF when comparative studies were performed. Over 800 cycles have been published worldwide that showed a clinical pregnancy rate of 19.6%. The INVO technology can be performed in an office setting with minor capital equipment. INVO is a simple low-cost procedure that can be available almost everywhere. INVO allows the treatment of a new population of infertile couples who could not benefit from IVF due to cost and availability. The participation of the patient in the process of fertilization and early embryo development is a psychological benefit that creates a high level of acceptance of INVO. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved.