Dr. Hana Park of Sehwa Hospital Infertility Medicine Research Institute Opens New Horizon in Human Embryo Cryopreservation with "Ultra-Mini Aluminum Plate"

Dr. Hana Park from the Infertility Medicine Research Institute at Sehwa Hospital unveiled human embryo cryopreservation technology using ultra-mini aluminum plates at PSRM 2025.

It was a moment when a single, ultra-thin metal sheet captured the passage of life with even greater precision.

On November 8, at the 14th Pacific Society for Reproductive Medicine (PSRM 2025) held at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dr. Park presented research findings on the vitrification cryopreservation technique for human embryos using ultra-mini aluminum plates (uMAP, ultra-Mini Aluminum Plate).

Dr. Hana Park from the Infertility Medicine Research Institute at Sehwa Hospital is presenting research results on human embryo cryopreservation using ultra-mini aluminum plates at PSRM 2025. Provided by Sehwa Hospital

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The presentation, titled "Enhanced Thermal Conductivity Vitrification of Human Embryos Using Ultra-Mini Aluminum Plates," introduced an innovative approach that improves cryopreservation efficiency by applying UMP, which offers significantly higher thermal conductivity, instead of the conventional Closed Pulled Straw (CPS) method for freezing human blastocysts generated during in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The uMAP method dramatically increases cooling rates, minimizing temperature differences inside and outside the cells, and has successfully reduced apoptosis (cell death) during the freezing process. According to the study, the total cell count was significantly higher when using UMP compared to CPS (216.1 ± 88.3 vs. 152.2 ± 60.7, P<0.05), while the apoptosis rate was markedly lower (8.1 ± 4.7% vs. 27.6 ± 14.7%, P<0.05). These results demonstrate that uMAP minimizes blastocyst structural damage and enhances the developmental potential of embryos, including implantation potential.

This research received high praise from the conference organizers and was selected as a "Top 10 Poster," granting Dr. Park the opportunity to give a five-minute oral presentation.

Lee Sangchan, Director of Sehwa Hospital, stated, "This study is a meaningful achievement that demonstrates how innovations in physical heat transfer structures can minimize cell damage in embryo cryopreservation technology. We will continue to develop this into a next-generation cryopreservation technology suitable for clinical application in the future."

The Pacific Society for Reproductive Medicine (PSRM) is the largest international society for reproductive medicine in the Asia-Pacific region. This year, under the theme "Elevating the Future of Reproductive Medicine with Innovation and Impact," more than 1,000 reproductive medicine experts from around the world attended. Sehwa Hospital plans to continue leading the advancement of future reproductive medicine technologies by pursuing cutting-edge research and international academic exchange in the field of infertility and reproductive medicine.

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