The title harks back to the 1975 classic, Star Wars. A seminal science fiction film about optimism. Dr. Yasayuki Mio, an internationally renowned physician and scientist, specialising in reproductive medicine, has developed a procedure to give couples just that; hope. His mission in life has been to help people bring bundles of joy into the world, and now his new technique assists those most in need.
Dr. Mio graduated from Tottori University in 1974 and specialised in gynaecology, when assisted reproductive technology (ART, commonly referred to as IVF) was still in its infancy. One of his first successes in 1986 was the development of an innovative technique and device (transvaginal probe) using ultrasound for oocyte (egg) collection, which is now employed worldwide. He later went on to setup his own ART clinic (Mio Fertility Clinic). MFC were pioneers in creating the first time-lapse video of the fertilisation process, producing never seen before footage of the development of an embryo. In 2004, Dr Mio and a collection of other ART experts established JISART (Japanese Institution for Standardising Assisted Reproductive Technology) in association with Nobel laureate Dr. Robert Edwards to ensure high standards and ethics among member hospitals.
The new technique has been named ‘zona-free’. Dr Mio insists, ‘the concept is simple but the implications are enormous,’ and ‘it dramatically improves the quality of embryos.’ The procedure involves the removal of the zona pellucida that lacks the normal space between it, and the membrane of an oocyte (perivitelline space). Although, naturally zona-free oocytes have been known to become fertilised, the idea to manually remove the zona pellucida (ZP) is novel.
Dr. Mio first uses laser technology to gently remove part of the zona. Then a culture medium is injected into the opening. This slight pressure separates the zona from the egg. The zona contains no genetic information, so the egg can develop normally, without risk of fragmentation, which often occurs if left intact.
The procedure is intended for people that have experienced multiple unsuccessful treatments using conventional ART methods. Two patients at MFC have already given birth to healthy babies after many years of disappointment. Couples worldwide have found promise in the revolutionary idea, and are consulting with Dr Mio about receiving treatment.
Reproductive medicine has come a long way since Louise Brown, the first IVF baby was born in 1978, and with visionaries like Dr. Mio leading the way, we can expect more of the barriers for infertile couples to be gradually broken down.
