A 3-D printed vitrification device integrated with French straws

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Reproductive Medicine
• Open Hardware Development

Background:

• Sperm cryopreservation is crucial for fertility preservation and assisted reproductive technologies.
• Existing vitrification devices can be costly and lack standardization, limiting accessibility.
• Integration with established straw platforms is needed for seamless adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and prototype an open-hardware vitrification device compatible with French straws.
• To create a low-cost, customizable, and 3D-printable solution for sperm cryopreservation.
• To establish a standardized platform for long-term sperm sample storage and identification.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of the Vitrification Device for French Straws (VD-FS) using 3D printing.
• Integration testing with existing French straw cryopreservation platforms.
• Feasibility assessment of vitrifying and storing sperm samples in multiple configurations.

Main Results:

• Successful development of the VD-FS, an open-hardware vitrification device.
• Demonstrated feasibility of vitrifying and storing sperm samples using the VD-FS.
• The device is low-cost, customizable, 3D-printable, and standardized.
• The VD-FS integrates with existing French straw storage systems.

Conclusions:

• The VD-FS represents the first complete open-hardware vitrification device for French straws.
• This innovation provides a foundation for community-driven modifications and improvements in sperm cryopreservation.
• The developed device offers a cost-effective and accessible solution for long-term sperm storage.