Egg and embryo cryo management taken to market

Labman collaborates with TMRW on groundbreaking IVF specimen storage and retrieval system.
5 min read
Featuring comments from
Alex Hultgren
Alex HultgrenPrincipal Device Engineer, TMRW
Challenge
Traditional IVF specimens, whether eggs or sperm, are often mishandled, not tracked efficiently, and left in sub-optimal conditions. Transforming the management of these life-critical samples is fundamental to TMRW’s mission.
Solution
TMRW sought out Labman to develop an instrument to store and track IVF samples in a cutting-edge form factor that could be installed worldwide. The CryoRobot Select integrates biometric scan technology, a customised cryogenic storage tank and advanced sample tracking.
Results
Aligned with and approved by the FDA, multiple ISO standards, and the EU’s GDPR laws, the CE marked medical device now plays a key role in TMRW’s product pipeline. Embryologists using the TMRW system are now able to keep track of every individual sample across the world through unique RFID technology at a sample level, allowing for a safe, efficient and marketable solution that is demonstrable and thus provide reassurance to clients using TMRW’s services.

48%

less timeto store a sample

62%

less timeto retrieve a sample

In the ever-evolving world of biotechnology, the quest to improve human life takes a front seat, and TMRW Life Sciences is steering the wheel toward a transformative future for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Traditional IVF procedures have often encountered issues with mishandled specimens, inefficient tracking, and sub-optimal storage conditions. TMRW’s mission is to revolutionize the management of these life-critical samples, and the CryoRobot Select developed in collaboration with Labman has set the stage for a gamechanging transformation.

TMRW Life Sciences, a trailblazer in the field of reproductive health, aims to introduce modern technology into the IVF Lab setting, facilitating embryologists in the storing and retrieving of specimen in a secure and temperature-controlled manner. To fulfill this vision, they turned to Labman, a company renowned for its expertise in developing cutting-edge automation solutions.

The CryoRobot Select, the result of this collaborative effort, is an instrument that seamlessly integrates biometric-scan technology, a customized cryogenic storage tank, and advanced sample tracking capabilities. It’s more than just a piece of equipment; it’s a leap forward in the realm of reproductive health technology.

"Replacing our first automation product with the CryoRobot Select should allow us to continue to expand into further clinics and markets, with a smaller footprint, less cycle time, and less handling required by the users."
Alex Hultgren
Alex HultgrenPrincipal Device Engineer, TMRW

For embryologists who rely on the TMRW system, the CryoRobot Select is a beacon of hope. It enables them to keep track of every individual sample across the globe through unique RFID technology at a sample level. This innovation ensures that each sample is stored under ideal conditions and handled with the utmost care. This has been tested and verified and provides peace-of-mind to customers ensuring that eggs and embryos in TMRW’s storage systems are safe and secure.

"We have introduced RFID technology to the embryology clinic in the form of Labware. The challenge was to develop an automation system that picked/placed labware [according to the embryologists requirements]. This all needed to be done based on a risk-based development process, ensuring both the customer and the specimen are safe throughout the storing/retrieving processes."

With Labman’s expertise and TMRW’s dedication to improving IVF, the CryoRobot Select stands as a testament to the power of innovation. It’s a product of vision, collaboration, and the unwavering commitment to advancing the future of reproductive health. In a world where every sample is invaluable, the CryoRobot Select ensures that no aspect of IVF is left to chance, setting a new standard for the industry.

"Having a partner like Labman in the development (and production) of automation systems has been a very collaborative working process. Overall, I have been very happy with how agile, solutions-oriented, and technically competent they have been. It speaks for itself that with our latest development project, as technical lead I encouraged the company to bring Labman on as our development partner again."

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