Time Lapse Imaging Trial
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN17792989 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17792989 |
| Protocol serial number | 37510 |
| Sponsors | Queen Mary University of London, Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| Funders | Barts and the London Charity and Related Charities; Grant Codes: MGU0374, Pharmasure Ltd |
- Submission date
- 04/04/2018
- Registration date
- 18/04/2018
- Last edited
- 22/07/2024
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) techniques can help people with fertility problems to have a baby. In IVF an egg is fertilized by sperm in a test tube to create an embryo. The current methods of selecting the best embryo for replacement into the womb during IVF are imprecise. The resulting success rates for this expensive treatment are less than ideal. Success rates might be improved by a new technology that uses time-lapse imaging, where embryos are grown in a special incubator, and an inbuilt microscope and camera allows embryos to be assessed without having to remove them. In addition, images of the developing embryo are taken every five to fifteen minutes, which can give additional information (morphokinetic parameters) to aid selection. The aim of this study is to find out whether this technology increases the likelihood of live birth following fertility treatment.
Who can participate?
Couples undergoing IVF or ICSI (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) treatment, where the woman is between 18 and 42 years of age and the male partner is at least 18 years of age
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups. In the first group embryos are grown in the time-lapse incubator using time-lapse imaging for embryo selection. In the second group embryos are grown in the time-lapse incubator using only standard assessment techniques. In the third group embryos are grown in standard incubators. At the end of the incubation (3-6 days after egg collection), the best embryo(s) are transferred. The woman is then followed up until a maximum of 6 weeks after the end of the pregnancy. The number of live births is taken from the patients’ medical notes or by contacting the participant.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There is no guarantee that taking part in this study will increase the chances of IVF/ICSI being successful, but participants will be helping clinicians and policy makers decide whether current IVF/ICSI guidelines need to be changed. There is no added risk using this technology for the growth and monitoring of embryos. The camera captures embryos in red light for a very short period of time – 15 milliseconds. This is the same amount of light exposure as during manual removal of embryos from the standard incubator and their examination under a standard microscope. The time lapse imaging systems are CE marked.
Where is the study run from?
Barts Research Centre for Women’s Health, Women’s Health Research Unit, Queen Mary University of London, James Cook University Hospital (UK) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital (Hong Kong)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2017 to September 2023
Who is funding the study?
1. Barts and the London Charity and Related Charities (UK)
2. Pharmasure Ltd (UK)
Who is the main contact?
1. James Heighway
j.heighway@qmul.ac.uk
2. Priya Bhide
priya.bhide@nhs.net
Contact information
Scientific
Barts Research Centre for Women’s Health
Institute of Population Health Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
Yvonne Carter Building
58 Turner Street
London
E1 2AB
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)20 7882 3272 |
|---|---|
| j.heighway@qmul.ac.uk |
Scientific
Centre for Women's Health
Institute of Population Health Sciences
Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry
Queen Mary University of London
Yvonne Carter Building
58 Turner Street
London
E1 2AB
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0003-0871-6508 |
|---|---|
| priya.bhide@nhs.net |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised; Interventional; Design type: Treatment, Device |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | A pragmatic, multi-centre, three-arm randomised controlled trial to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of time lapse imaging in in-vitro fertilisation treatment |
| Study acronym | TILT |
| Study objectives | Current methods of selecting the best embryo for replacement into the womb during in-vitro fertilisation treatment (IVF) are imprecise. The resulting success rates for this expensive treatment are less than ideal. Success rates might be improved by a new technology that uses time-lapse imaging, where embryos are grown in a special incubator, and an inbuilt microscope and camera allow embryos to be assessed without having to remove them. In addition, images of the developing embryo are taken every five to fifteen minutes, which can give additional information (so-called morphokinetic parameters) to aid selection. Current best evidence for the use of time-lapse imaging is uncertain and of moderate to low quality. The trialists propose to conduct a large-scale study giving high-quality evidence and a definitive answer to whether this technology increases the likelihood of live birth following fertility treatment. |
| Ethics approval(s) | London Central Research Ethics Committee, provisional approval 08/03/2018, ref: 18/LO/0330 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | In vitro fertilization |
| Intervention | A secure, web based randomisation system hosted by the Barts Women’s Health Research Centre. The randomisation will be stratified by fertility clinic, and minimised by: 1. Participant’s age (<35 years, 35 – 40 years, >40 years) 2. Type of planned first embryo transfer (fresh, frozen). Participants are randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups: Time-lapse imaging (intervention group 1): incubation and assessment of embryos within time-lapse imaging systems, using morphokinetic parameters in addition to conventional morphological assessment Undisturbed culture (intervention group 2): incubation of embryos in undisturbed culture conditions within time-lapse imaging incubators, using conventional morphological embryo assessment only Standard care (control group): incubation of embryos in standard incubators, using conventional morphological embryo assessment only At the end of the incubation (3-6 days after egg collection), the best embryo(s) will be transferred. The woman will then be followed up until a maximum of 6 weeks after the end of the pregnancy. The sample size calculation was based upon the primary outcome of live birth. With a 5% overall significance level (2.5% for each of the two main treatment comparisons: TLI vs. standard care, and undisturbed culture vs. standard care), 514 participants would be required per treatment arm to detect an absolute increase in the primary outcome from 26.5% to 35.25% with 80% power. Allowing for 2% loss-to-follow-up or withdrawal of consent would require 525 participants per treatment arm (1575 in total). The comparison between experimental treatment arms (TLI vs. undisturbed culture) will be performed with no impact on sample size because this statistical test will be carried out conditional to the rejection of at least one of the primary comparisons planned (TLI vs. standard care, or undisturbed culture vs. standard care). This hierarchical approach permits to maintain the overall type I error rate of 5%. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Number of live births, taken from medical notes/contacting the participant; Timepoint(s): Delivery |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Current secondary outcome measures as of 06/04/2020: |
| Completion date | 30/09/2023 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 1575 |
| Total final enrolment | 1575 |
| Key inclusion criteria | The inclusion criteria are broad in keeping with the latest NICE guidelines (2013) for NHS funded IVF/ICSI treatment. Participants undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment and: 1. The woman is between 18 and 42 years of age at the time of consent 2. The male partner is at least 18 years of age at the time of consent 3. Receiving the first, second or third IVF/ICSI treatment cycle 4. Both partners give written informed consent 5. Those having at least 3 2PN embryos (showing 2 pro-nucleii which is a sign of normal fertilisation) on day of fertilization check |
| Key exclusion criteria | Current exclusion criteria as of 06/04/2020: 1. Participants concomitantly participating in other interventional trials 2. IVF/ICSI treatment using donor gametes 3. Planned pre-implantation genetic diagnostics or screening (PGS/PGD) Previous exclusion criteria: 1. Participants who have been randomised previously to this trial 2. Participants concomitantly participating in other trials 3. IVF/ICSI treatment using donor gametes 4. Planned pre-implantation genetic diagnostics or screening (PGS/PGD) |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/05/2018 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/09/2022 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
- Hong Kong
Study participating centres
London
E9 6SR
United Kingdom
1st Floor, Kenton & Lucas Wing
West Smithfield
London
EC1A 7BE
United Kingdom
Bath Business Park
Peasedown St John
Bath
BA2 8SG
United Kingdom
White City
London
W12 0HS
United Kingdom
Coxford Road
Southampton
SO16 5YA
United Kingdom
Ocean Suite, Level 6
Derriford Hospital
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
United Kingdom
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
9F, Special Block EF
Prince of Wales Hospital
Shatin, N.T.
-
Hong Kong
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from the CI Dr Priya Bhide (p.bhide@qmul.ac.uk). There will be restrictions on the availability of raw data for this study, due to data confidentiality and patient privacy. Researchers wishing to access the TILT trial data for the purposes of replicating or verifying our analyses can apply to the CI at the BARC (Barts Research Centre for Women’s Health). |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 20/07/2024 | 22/07/2024 | Yes | No | |
| Protocol article | protocol | 01/07/2020 | 05/07/2020 | Yes | No |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
22/07/2024: Publication reference added.
03/10/2022: The total final enrolment was added.
15/07/2022: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 31/07/2022 to 30/09/2022.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from 31/07/2023 to 30/09/2023.
07/07/2022: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 30/05/2020 to 31/07/2022.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from 31/08/2021 to 31/07/2023.
3. The intention to publish date was changed from 01/08/2022 to 01/02/2024.
4. James Cook University Hospital was removed as a trial participating centre.
05/07/2020: Publication reference added.
06/04/2020: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. Due to current public health guidance, recruitment for this study has been paused.
2. Trial website added.
3. Contact details, secondary outcome measures and exclusion criteria updated.
4. The target number of participants was changed from 'Planned Sample Size: 1575; UK Sample Size: 1575' to 'Planned Sample Size: 1575; UK Sample Size: 1125, CUHK Sample Size: 450'.
5. James Cook University Hospital and The Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital were added to the trial participating centres.
6. Chinese University of Hong Kong was added as a sponsor.
7. The recruitment end date was changed from 30/06/2020 to 30/05/2020.
07/08/2019: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The following trial participating centres were added: St Bartholomews Hospital, Bath Fertility Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, Complete Fertility Centre- Princess Anne Hospital, Ocean Suite- Derriford Hospital.
2. The recruitment end date was changed from 01/05/2020 to 30/06/2020.
3. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
27/03/2019: The condition has been changed from "Specialty: Reproductive health and childbirth, Primary sub-specialty: Other; UKCRC code/ Disease: Reproductive Health and Childbirth/ Other maternal disorders predominantly related to pregnancy" to "In vitro fertilization" following a request from the NIHR.
