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Use of a Subcutaneous Catheter for Controlled Ovarian Stimulation

Recruiting
Conditions
Infertility, Female
Interventions
Device: IVF with the Neria™ Guard Subcutaneous Catheter
Registration Number
NCT05505474
Lead Sponsor
University of Southern California
Brief Summary

Subcutaneous medications are an integral part of controlled ovarian stimulation protocols for in-vitro fertilization (IVF), but daily or twice daily injections are both physically and emotionally burdensome for patients and their partners. This is a feasibility study to evaluate the use of the Neria Guard™ (Unomedical, Convatec) subcutaneous catheter for ovarian stimulation in IVF.

Detailed Description

Daily or twice daily injections are a standard part of controlled ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). These injections are both physically and emotionally burdensome for patients and contribute additional stressors to those already inherent to infertility. Subcutaneous catheters have been demonstrated to be effective for administration of insulin, anticoagulants, and other medications in pediatric patients, and subcutaneous gonadotropin-releasing hormone pumps have also been used in hypothalamic patients. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a subcutaneous catheter in patients undergoing ovarian stimulation for IVF. Primary outcomes will include the incidence of safety and catheter-related issues as well as assessment of patient satisfaction in cycles using the subcutaneous catheter. We will also closely monitor estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone levels during stimulation to ensure adequate medication administration via the catheter as well as IVF outcomes including mature oocyte yield, embryo maturation, and pregnancy rates.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  • Female between 18 and 45 years of age undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation
Exclusion Criteria
  • none

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
IVF with Neria™ Guard deviceIVF with the Neria™ Guard Subcutaneous CatheterPatients undergoing IVF with the use of the Neria™ Guard subcutaneous catheter
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Device feasibilityDuring ovarian stimulation (usually 9-12 days)

To measure follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol levels after administration of subcutaneous gonadotropins via the catheter

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Adverse effects related to the subcutaneous catheterDuring ovarian stimulation (usually 9-12 days)

Catheter malfunction, number of times needed to administer traditional needle injection, need for premature catheter exchange or removal, emergency pages to the clinic for catheter-related issues, local issue reactions, pain, bleeding, hematoma, infection

Patient satisfaction and acceptabilityDuring ovarian stimulation (usually 9-12 days)

Patient satisfaction will be evaluated via a self-designed pre- and post-cycle questionnaire to quantify pre-cycle needle phobia, satisfaction with the catheter system, reasons for continuation or discontinuation. The questionnaires will be preapproved by the University of California Institutional Review Board.

Number of mature oocytes retrievedImmediately following ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval

The number of oocytes in metaphase II retrieved at the time of oocyte retrieval

Embryo blastulation5-7 days after oocyte retrieval

The number of embryos that progress to blastocyst per the number fertilized

Clinical pregnancy1-2 weeks following embryo transfer

As defined by a intrauterine gestational sac between weeks 5 and 6

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

HRC Fertility

🇺🇸

Los Angeles, California, United States

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