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Sometimes, Mother Nature needs “help” with conception. Obesity and the trend to delay pregnancy are two of the market drivers causing tens of millions of women across the globe to require the use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) to conceive.
In vitro fertilization (IVF), when a fertilized egg (zygote) is deposited in the woman’s uterus, is the most common ART procedure. Performed over 1 million times per year, IVF is a physically difficult procedure with a low rate of success. On average, women undergo a number of IVF attempts before conceiving, suffer uterine and cervical trauma, and are at higher risk for multiple births.

Crucial to the IVF cycle is the embryo transfer phase, when embryos which are two to six days post-fertilization are deposited in the uterus. The doctor, blindly or guided by an abdominal ultrasound, penetrates the cervix and deposits the embryos in the uterus, utilizing a catheter to “carry” the embryos. Today, because physicians do not have a clear view of the catheter negotiating its way through the cervix, the occurrences of ectopic pregnancies, failed cycles, and uterine trauma are common. In order to maintain a sufficient success rate, the tendency is to implant 2-4 embryos per transfer which might result in multiple embryo pregnancies that are known to be difficult and high risk pregnancies.
Innovations in IVF have focused primarily on lab procedures, egg and embryo selection, and hormone treatments. Very little was invested in improving critical embryo deposit methods. Because of the high risk offailure, only the most skilled and experienced doctors perform embryo transfer procedures.

INNOVATION
Vital View is developing an ultrathin endoscope for cervical and uterine visualization. The endoscope, which will fit within a standard catheter, leads the catheter through the cervix to the optimal location within the uterus for embryo deposit. Vital View’s device will ease catheter insertion, decrease instances of uterine trauma, allow for a reduction in the number of embryos deposited in each cycle, and thereby increase the probability of conception.
The anticipated benefits of Vital View’s endoscope are shorter treatment period, fewer insurance claims, reduced patient stress and trauma, and overall reduced treatment cost.

MARKET SIZE
Since the first successful IVF procedure in 1978, over 3 million babies have been born using the treatment. Throughout Europe, the United States, and Japan, the percentage of women requiring infertility-related treatment is rising drastically, regardless of the $15,000 average procedure cost.

In the United States, more than 150,000 IVF cycles were performed last year, representing a CAGR of nearly 9%. In Western Europe, over 500,000 cycles were performed, representing a CAGR of 12%. The global market for fertility treatment comprises 4,000 ART clinics with a value of nearly $9 billion.