OCTAX ICSI Guard™ System

The integrated system for real-time spindle imaging

easy to use
Orientation-independent live imaging of the meiotic spindle
Self-calibrating, no active calibration required
Spindle imaging under normal bright field light intensity
Full OCTAX Laser Shot™ and Fertilase® compatibility, i.e. one camera and one software for laser control, spindle visualization and image processing
Support of all OCTAX EyeWare™ features (image acquisition and archival, video and time lapse video recording, biometric measurements etc.)
One button instant on/off function for convenient working
advanced features

The spindle mediates proper alignment of the chromosomes and their equal distribution to the daughter cells during meiotic divisions. Spindle integrity and regular function are indispensable prerequisites for normal embryonic development. Seamlessly integrating into your daily lab routine, OCTAX ICSI Guard™ facilitates spindle imaging within minimal times.

About this product...

Product information
OCTAX ICSI Guard™ provides, based on OCTAX EyeWare™ as the underlying imaging/archival software, state of the art polarization microscopy featuring the visualization of the meiotic spindle and the inner zona pellucida layer in realtime live video. Combining the ease of use (one button to activate the analysis) and leveraging the features of OCTAX EyeWare™ for advanced still image, time lapse, and video recording makes OCTAX ICSI Guard™ the most technologically advanced and user friendly system for spindle viewing at the same time.

Technical specifications
Compatible with modern PCs running Windows XP Professional (see the technical specifications for a comprehensive list of technical data)..

Main applications

Improve your ICSI results by performing spindle oriented instead of polar body oriented microinjection

Evaluate oocyte maturity after in vitro maturation, in low responder patients or before polar body biopsy and optimize the timing of ICSI / polar body biopsy

Assess oocyte developmental potential by analyzing the birefringence of the inner zona layer

Quality control: the spindle is extremely sensitive towards temperature and pH changes and will immediately indicate suboptimal culture conditions.

System components

Circular polarizer and GIF filter
Liquid crystal analysis slider
High resolution OCTAX USB 2.0 digital camera
OCTAX ICSI Guard™ software plugin for the OCTAX EyeWare™ software.

Advanced features
Time lapse and live video observation/recording of spindle and oocyte features with the help of the OCTAX EyeWare™ MX feature package (an addon for OCTAX EyeWare™ BASIC).

Availability
OCTAX ICSI Guard™ is available worldwide from MTG/its distribution partners, except for U.S.A., where it is currently not available.

OCTAX ICSI Guard™ technical specifications

Hardware requirements