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Advanced Technology

PIEZO-ICSI (Piezoelectric Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

Fertility North is one of only two clinics in Western Australia offering PIEZO‑ICSI as part of fertility treatment. The use of PIEZO‑ICSI is currently being evaluated as part of a clinical trial, commenced in 2025, and remains available only to carefully selected patients who meet specific clinical criteria.

What is PIEZO-ICSI? 

Often described as a ‘gentler’ approach to traditional ICSI, PIEZO‑ICSI is a technique in which a single sperm is injected into an egg using a high-speed vibration mechanism. This allows the embryologist to penetrate the egg with reduced mechanical force.

How is it different to traditional ICSI? 

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), used in human fertility treatment since 1992, involves injecting a single sperm directly into the egg using a fine, sharp glass needle that punctures the egg membrane.

In contrast, PIEZO‑ICSI uses a blunt needle in combination with rapid, controlled vibration to enter the egg, rather than piercing it with force. This approach is designed to minimise potential damage to the egg during the injection process. 

Who may be considered for PIEZO-ICSI? 

Participation in the PIEZO‑ICSI clinical trial is limited to patients who meet specific eligibility criteria, which will be assessed by your doctor. In some cases, PIEZO‑ICSI may be considered where standard ICSI has not achieved optimal outcomes. This may include patients with: 

  • Previously low fertilisation rates following ICSI 
  • Higher rates of egg degeneration in prior ICSI cycles
  • Poor embryo development 
  • Increased maternal age, where egg membranes may be more fragile 

These factors are provided as a guide only. Your doctor will determine whether PIEZO‑ICSI is appropriate based on your individual clinical circumstances.

Please note that some patients may not be eligible for participation in the study, including those undergoing treatment involving surgically retrieved sperm or donor eggs.

What are the potential advantages?

Some potential advantages of PIEZO‑ICSI may include: 

  • Less stress on the egg: The gentler technique may reduce damage to the egg membrane, which could help support fertilisation 
  • May improve outcomes in some patients: In certain cases, particularly where previous ICSI results have been suboptimal

However, it is important to note that PIEZO‑ICSI is currently being offered within a clinical trial setting, and there is no guarantee that it will result in improved fertilisation, embryo development, or pregnancy outcomes.

What is the PIEZO-ICSI treatment process? 

PIEZO-ICSI treatment involves six main stages:  

Step 1: Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH)

The first stage of the PIEZO process involves the administration of hormones to stimulate your ovaries.  We will monitor your response to the medication closely, using regular blood tests and ultrasound.  Unlike ovulation induction and artificial insemination, the aim in COH is to produce multiple follicles, rather than just one or two.  

Step 2: Trans Vaginal Oocyte Aspiration (TVOA) 

When your follicles approach maturity and your oestrogen level reaches its peak, you will be instructed to administer your trigger medication which is a time-sensitive medication that determines the time of your TVOA approximately 36 hours later.  It is a quick procedure that can take place either in an operating theatre under a general anaesthetic, or under a local anaesthetic in our treatment room.  

Step 3: PIEZO-ICSI

Once the eggs have been collected from your ovaries and the semen sample has been prepared, the eggs and sperm are brought together in the laboratory.  Each mature egg is very carefully injected with a single sperm by one of our highly trained Embryologists, using a specialised PIEZO device that applies gentle, controlled vibration to assist the sperm in entering the egg. 

Step 3: Embryo culture 

The morning after PIEZO-ICSI has taken place, the Embryologists will assess your eggs for fertilisation.  Keeping you advised along the way, your embryos will then be grown, or cultured, in the laboratory for up to six days.   

As a standard and at no extra cost, Fertility North uses the Embryoscope, a specialised incubator with time lapse technology. It allows your embryos to be cultured in optimised conditions without any disturbance whilst our embryologists evaluate their growth and determine their potential.

Step 5: Embryo Transfer (ET)

At Fertility North, embryo transfers take place between day 1 (when the embryos tend to be a single cell) and day 6 (where the embryos should have achieved the blastocyst stage, with hundreds of cells).   

During your embryo transfer, the doctor will very gently insert a speculum into your vagina (as your GP would for a pap smear) and a fine, soft tube is then carefully passed through the cervix allowing the embryo to be placed carefully into your uterus.  

Step 6: Monitoring and support

In the fortnight after your embryo transfer, your hormone levels will be monitored and supported, if necessary, until the outcome of your cycle is known.  

What are the potential risks of PIEZO? 

As PIEZO‑ICSI is new to Australia, the device and procedure are currently not TGA‑approved and are being used within a clinical trial setting. Potential considerations include: 

  • Outcomes may be similar to, or lower than, those achieved with standard ICSI 
  • Long‑term data on safety and effectiveness is limited 
  • As with all assisted reproductive treatments, success cannot be guaranteed

While no significant adverse effects have been reported in studies to date, further research is required to fully understand the safety and effectiveness of this technique. 

How can we help you? 

PIEZO‑ICSI may be considered as part of an individualised treatment plan, but it is not suitable for all patients. Before commencing any treatment, your doctor will discuss your options in detail and recommend the approach that best aligns with your clinical needs and circumstances. 

If you would like further information or to arrange a consultation, please contact the Fertility North team. 

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