Research Instruments

Sterility and Biocompatibility Testing

RI’s range of consumables must pass stringent testing and inspection criteria to ensure that you receive the most consistent and high quality product.

Mouse Embryo Assay (MEA) for embryo toxicity

Each sterility batch of finished product is tested by an independent laboratory using a 1-cell stage mouse embryo toxicity test. Embryos are also assessed at critical development points during the MEA to ensure maximum test sensitivity. Non-embryotoxic proven by Mouse Embryo Assay (MEA), Pass Level: Day 2 ≥80% 2-cells, Day 6 ≥80% blastocysts.

Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) for endotoxins

Each sterility batch of finished product is tested for bacterial endotoxins. Our pass criteria is < 20Eu per device.

Human Sperm Survival Assay (HSSA)

Each sterilisation batch of finished injection pipettes within the RI Pipette range undergoes a sperm motility bio assay. To pass the HSSA test, the motility of sperm should be ≥ 70% after 24 hours of sample preparation.

Sterilisation

Where applicable, products are sterilised by an approved gamma irradiation facility meeting ISO 11137 standards to a sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10-6. The shelf life of our pouch packed products is 3 years and for our blister packed products, 5 years.

Device Approval

All RI medical devices carry the CE mark.

The CE mark shows that RI’s products comply with the Essential Safety Requirements of the European Medical Device Directive (93/42/EEC) as amended.

Many of our medical devices also have USA FDA market clearance, Health Canada medical device licenses and certification in Taiwan and China.

We are continuously working to expand our registration with the relevant medical device authorities across the world.

ORIGIO

ART Media

Monitoring and quality control testing cover all processes from the receipt of raw materials to the final product, including product development.
The final products are tested with a combination of the following QC tests according to our specifications:

pH test: Ph. Eur., USP current edition

Osmolality test: Ph. Eur., USP current edition

Mouse Embryo Assay (MEA): Embryos are cultured in test medium and control medium for 72 hours (for 2-cell) or 96 hours (for 1-cell) respectively. ORIGIO requires a minimum of 80% formation rate to expanded blastocysts. All relevant final products are tested by a MEA test.

Endotoxin LAL test: Ph.Eur., USP current edition

Sterility test: Ph.Eur., USP current edition. All products are sterile filtered and each batch is tested for sterility.

Sperm Survival Test: This test is intended to demonstrate the absence of substances that will reduce the viability of spermatozoa. The Sperm Survival Test is based on CASA (Computer Assisted Semen Analysis). Determination of VAP (average path velocity), VSL (straight-line velocity) and VCL (curvilinear velocity) is used to calculate the concentration of motile spermatozoa. After incubation in media the survival rate must be ≥ 80%.

Sperm Immobilization Test: Sperm with normal motility characteristics are mixed with the media. To pass the test, VSL of the sperm suspended in the media must be reduced by more than 70%.

Note: The results from each batch are stated on a certificate of Analysis, which is available here.

Humagen Pipets

Mouse Embryo Assay (MEA): Each master lot of micropipet glass and Pasteur pipets are tested for toxicity in a one-cell mouse embryo assay (MEA). The percentage of embryos exposed to the micropipets or Pasteur pipets that develop to the blastocyst stage are compared to control embryos. The embryos are assessed at 96 hours of culture. The product and control is assessed and the product will be considered non-toxic if the percentage of blastocysts exposed to the product is greater than or within 10% of the control percentage. Seventy percent or more of the control embryos must reach the blastocyst stage for the test to be considered valid.

Endotoxin LAL test: Each master lot of micropipet glass and Pasteur pipets is endotoxin tested using the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay. Each lot must be less than 20 endotoxin units per device to pass. Specific testing information and results can be found on the Certificate of Analysis provided with each lot of micropipets and Pasteur Pipets. In addition, independent laboratory tests of packaging, sterilization and expiration date validation are conducted on all products during design and upon changes to materials or production.
Note: The results from each batch are stated on a certificate of Analysis, which is available here.

Needles and Catheters

Mouse Embryo Assay (MEA)

Endotoxin LAL test

Note: The results from each batch are stated on a certificate of Analysis, which is available here.

Cryopette^®, Stripper^® tips

Mouse Embryo Assay (MEA)

Sterility test

Endotoxin LAL test

Note: The results from each batch are stated on a certificate of Analysis, which is available here.

Quality documents

ORIGIO has obtained CE markings for a range of its products. The CE mark covers most of our ORIGIO products including among others: media, pipets, the Stripper^® and Cryopette^®.

The CE mark ensures that the products comply with the relevant European health and safety legislation. IVF products are covered by the Medical Device legislation and therefore ORIGIO’s products do comply with the Essential Safety Requirements in the European Medical Device Directive (93/42/EEC).