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Development of a security system for assisted reproductive technology (ART)

  • Technological Innovations
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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

In the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART), medical accidents can result in serious legal and social consequences. This study was conducted to develop a security system (called IVF-guardian; IG) that could prevent mismatching or mix-ups in ART.

Materials and methods

A software program was developed in collaboration with outside computer programmers. A quick response (QR) code was used to identify the patients, gametes and embryos in a format that was printed on a label. There was a possibility that embryo development could be affected by volatile organic components (VOC) in the printing material and adhesive material in the label paper. Further, LED light was used as the light source to recognize the QR code. Using mouse embryos, the effects of the label paper and LED light were examined. The stability of IG was assessed when applied in clinical practice after developing the system. A total of 104 cycles formed the study group, and 82 cycles (from patients who did not want to use IG because of safety concerns and lack of confidence in the security system) to which IG was not applied comprised the control group.

Results

Many of the label paper samples were toxic to mouse embryo development. We selected a particular label paper (P touch label) that did not affect mouse embryo development. The LED lights were non-toxic to the development of the mouse embryos under any experimental conditions. There were no differences in the clinical pregnancy rates between the IG-applied group and the control group (40/104 = 38.5 % and 30/82 = 36.6 %, respectively).

Conclusions

The application of IG in clinical practice did not affect human embryo development or clinical outcomes. The use of IG reduces the misspelling of patient names. Using IG, there was a disadvantage in that each treatment step became more complicated, but the medical staff improved and became sufficiently confident in ART to offset this disadvantage. Patients who received treatment using the IG system also went through a somewhat tedious process, but there were no complaints. These patients gained further confidence in the practitioners over the course of treatment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maria Fertility Hospital, 20 Cheonho-daero Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 130-812

    Yong Soo Hur, Eun Kyung Ryu, Sung Jin Park, Chang Young Hur, Won Don Lee & Jin Ho Lim

  2. Maria Fertility Research Center, 20 Cheonho-daero Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 130-812

    Jeong Yoon & San Hyun Yoon

  3. Maria Biotech, 30 Nangaero-gil Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea

    Gi Deok Yang

Authors
  1. Yong Soo Hur
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  2. Eun Kyung Ryu
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  3. Sung Jin Park
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  4. Jeong Yoon
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  5. San Hyun Yoon
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  6. Gi Deok Yang
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  7. Chang Young Hur
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  8. Won Don Lee
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  9. Jin Ho Lim
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yong Soo Hur.

Additional information

Capsule We have developed a security system called IVF-Guardian (IG) that uses QR (quick response) codes for ART (assisted reproductive technology) treatment. IG helped the medical staff gain the confidence and trust of their patients.

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Hur, Y.S., Ryu, E.K., Park, S.J. et al. Development of a security system for assisted reproductive technology (ART). J Assist Reprod Genet 32, 155–168 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0367-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0367-0

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