Choosing the Best Vibration Isolation Table for Your IVF Lab: A Guide for Embryologists  

Introduction: The need for stability in IVF Laboratories 

In vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratories require exceptional environmental stability to support the delicate processes of embryo culture and micromanipulation.  

Sources of Unwanted Vibrations in IVF Labs: 

• HVAC Systems: Air handling units and ventilation can introduce low-frequency vibrations. 

• Human Activities: Movement within the lab or adjacent hallways can affect workstations. 

• External sources: Structural vibrations from buildings, vehicle traffic, or construction work can interfere with delicate lab procedures. 

Why Stability Matters in IVF Laboratories: 

Uncontrolled vibrations can have significant, unpredictable consequences on both laboratory procedures and embryo development.  

Vibrations have an outsized impact in IVF laboratory operations because virtually every procedure requires high-magnification microscopy with stable fields of view. Maintaining a vibration-free environment is particularly crucial for the success of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedures, where vibrations can disrupt the stability of micromanipulation tools, making it difficult to accurately inject sperm into the egg’s cytoplasm. Even minor vibrations can lead to errors in positioning or penetration. Vibrations can also affect the movement of the injection pipette, leading to inconsistent injection speeds and forces. This can result in deformation of the egg or improper injection.  

Fertilization rates, blastocyst mitosis, and embryo development are also sensitive to environmental vibrations. While carefully controlled micro-vibrations have shown promise to improve fertilization rates, uncontrolled vibrations can cause physical stress to the embryo, potentially damaging its delicate structure and reducing the chances of successful implantation. Micro-vibrations have even been shown to induce epigenetic and transcriptional changes during oocyte maturation and embryo culture, leading to differentially expressed genesⁱ compared to invivo-derived embryos. 

How to Choose the Right Vibration Isolation Table from Kinetic Systems 

Selecting the right vibration isolation system is critical for an IVF lab’s success, but don’t worry – we’re here to help! Simply select a workstation or table from our catalog that looks right for you and contact us. One of our engineers will ask you a few simple questions and quickly get you a cost-effective vibration isolation solution that will work for you.  

When evaluating a vibration isolation table, embryologists should consider performance requirements, load capacity, size limitations, and ease of cleaning. 

VIBRAPLANE 9100 Series Vibration Isolation Workstation  

• Sets the industry standard for the vast majority of IVF Lab vibration control applications.  

• Designed to isolate sensitive instruments and experiments weighing up to 1300 lbs 

• Vertical and horizontal vibration isolation 

• Active-Air Suspension 

• Maintains a preset zero deflection level (regardless of load addition or removal) 

• Choice of tabletops 

• Choose from 12 sizes 

• Ergonomic styling 

• Class 100 Cleanroom Compatible— Class 10 available 

VIBRAPLANE 9211 Series Personal LabMate Vibration Isolation Workstation  

• Ideal for applications where floor space is limited for load ranges up to 440 lbs. 

• Vertical and horizontal vibration isolation 

• High performance Active-Air Suspension 

• Ergonomic styling 

• Automatic leveling 

• 1″ Thick VibraDamped steel 

• Class 100 Cleanroom Compatible— Class 10 available 

2200 Series BenchMate Vibration-Free Platforms 

• Unmatched price/performance 

• Low profile Passive-Air or Active-Air designs 

• VibraDamped construction 

• Low natural frequency 

• Excellent horizontal isolation 

• Flatness: ±0.004″ over 24″ x 24″ on -22 and -32 top surfaces 

• SPILLPRUF spill management 

• Class 100 Cleanroom Compatible – Class 10 available 

Customization Options: For IVF labs that have unique setup needs, Kinetic Systems offers tailored solutions for specific lab requirements. 

Do I Need to perform a vibration survey? 

KSI engineers are experienced in the latest vibration survey and measurement technologies, and data analysis methods. Using advanced data acquisition systems, high sensitivity accelerometers, and laptop computers, they can accurately measure and analyze data specific to your location. 

However, for most applications, you do not need to know the environment details. Unless your work environment is unusually prone to dramatic vibration fluctuations, KSI Vibration Isolation Systems will perform flawlessly for you. We have performed all the necessary calculations, and relying on over thirty years of applied vibration control experience, offer the end-user point of installation pre-engineered, all-purpose, low frequency, vibration-free tables and platforms for tabletop and floor mounted equipment.  

Final Takeaways for IVF Lab Professionals 

Investing in a high-quality vibration isolation system is a proven strategy for improving fertilization rates, embryo viability, and overall IVF success. Stable laboratory conditions ensure embryologists can work with confidence, free from the disruptions caused by unwanted vibrations. 

Assess your lab’s current vibration control measures and explore how Kinetic Systems’ solutions can elevate your facility’s precision and reliability. 

Kinetic Systems is a leader in vibration isolation technology, offering products specifically designed for biomedical and IVF applications. Their vibration isolation tables provide: 

• Superior stability for micromanipulation 

• Optimized performance for ICSI and embryo handling 

• Reliable protection against environmental disturbances 

Ready to enhance stability in your IVF lab? Explore Kinetic Systems’ vibration isolation solutions and ensure precision where it matters most. Contact us today for a consultation!