The branch of medicine and laboratory work focused on male reproductive health. In an IVF clinic the andrology lab handles semen collection, analysis and sperm preparation before insemination or injection.
An application programming interface lets two software systems exchange data directly. Clinics use API integration to connect an IVF platform with labs, accounting tools or partner systems so records do not have to be re-keyed.
A group of fertility treatments that handle eggs, sperm or embryos outside the body. It covers IVF, ICSI, IUI and related procedures, along with the storage and handling of gametes and embryos.
A facility that stores reproductive material such as sperm, eggs and embryos, often including donor samples. Dedicated ART bank software tracks each sample, its consent and its chain of custody.
A time-stamped record of every action taken in a system, including who logged in, what they viewed and what they changed. A complete audit trail supports accountability and is described in the Trust Center.
The use of barcodes or labels to identify samples and match them to the right patient at each step. It reduces the chance of a mix-up during handling in the embryology lab.
An embryo that has developed for around five to six days after fertilization and formed a fluid filled cavity with an inner cell mass and an outer layer. Blastocyst stage embryos are often assessed before transfer or freezing.
A documented history of who handled a sample and when, from collection through storage to use. In an ART bank a digital chain of custody, supported by lab management software, records every movement and hand-off.
The process of capturing, versioning and storing patient consent for treatments and data use. Digital consent management keeps signed forms, tracks the version a patient agreed to and makes them easy to retrieve for an audit.
Customer relationship management software that tracks enquiries, leads and patient communication. An inbuilt CRM lets a fertility clinic follow up with prospective patients and stay in touch through a treatment cycle.
The freezing and long term storage of cells such as eggs, sperm and embryos at very low temperatures. Cryo storage software logs the tank, canister and position of each sample.
Moving records from an old system into a new one during a software change. Careful data migration maps old fields to new ones, cleans errors and verifies that nothing is lost.
A structured-data type from schema.org used to mark up a glossary entry so search engines and AI systems can read the term and its definition. This glossary uses DefinedTerm and DefinedTermSet markup.
A treatment cycle that uses eggs, sperm or embryos from a donor rather than the intended parents. It adds extra consent, matching and record keeping requirements for the clinic and the ART bank.
Also called oocyte pickup, the procedure that collects mature eggs from the ovaries using a fine needle guided by ultrasound. The eggs are then passed to the embryology lab.
A digital record of a patient's health information that can be shared across care settings. In fertility care an EHR holds history, results and treatment notes in one place.
The step where one or more embryos are placed into the uterus using a thin catheter. It can use a fresh embryo or a thawed one from storage in a frozen embryo transfer.
The laboratory science of handling eggs, sperm and embryos, including fertilization, culture and grading. The embryology lab is the clinical heart of an IVF unit.
A digital version of a clinic's own patient chart covering visits, diagnoses, prescriptions and lab results. An EMR replaces paper files and makes records searchable and auditable.
The process of scrambling data so only someone with the key can read it. Records are commonly encrypted both in transit as they move between systems and at rest while they are stored.
The lining of the uterus that thickens through the menstrual cycle. Its thickness and pattern are monitored on ultrasound to help decide the timing of an embryo transfer.
A cycle that thaws a previously frozen embryo and transfers it to the uterus. It lets a clinic store surplus embryos from an earlier cycle for later use.
Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources, a modern standard for exchanging healthcare data between systems. Support for FHIR and HL7 helps a platform reach interoperability with labs and hospital systems.
A small fluid filled sac in the ovary that contains a developing egg. Follicles are counted and measured on ultrasound during ovarian stimulation.
Follicle stimulating hormone, a hormone that drives the growth of ovarian follicles. It is measured to assess ovarian reserve and is given as a medication during stimulation.
A reproductive cell, meaning an egg or a sperm. IVF brings gametes together in the laboratory to create an embryo.
The General Data Protection Regulation, the European Union rules on handling personal data. Clinics serving EU patients must meet obligations for consent, storage and the right to access or erase data.
The United States Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which sets rules for protecting patient health information. Software helps clinics meet HIPAA obligations through access control, encryption and audit logging.
Health Level Seven, a widely used family of standards for exchanging clinical and administrative data between healthcare systems. It underpins many integrations between an IVF platform and lab or hospital software.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a technique where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to assist fertilization. It is often used when sperm count or motility is low.
The stage where an embryo attaches to the lining of the uterus and begins to establish a pregnancy. It usually happens a few days after an embryo transfer.
The ability of different systems to share and use each other's data without manual re-entry. Good interoperability connects the clinic, the lab and outside partners through shared standards.
The part of a hospital or clinic that cares for patients admitted for a stay. IPD software manages beds, day-care admissions and inpatient billing.
A procedure that places prepared sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. It is a lower intensity treatment than IVF.
A treatment where eggs are collected and fertilized by sperm in the laboratory, then grown into embryos for transfer to the uterus. In vitro means in glass, referring to the lab setting.
A screen that shows key performance indicators such as cycle volume, conversion and capacity at a glance. A real-time analytics dashboard helps clinic leaders see how the practice is running.
A laboratory information management system that tracks samples, tests and results in the lab. In fertility care lab management software plays this role for embryology and andrology work.
The part of the menstrual cycle after ovulation when the body prepares the uterine lining for a possible pregnancy. Medication is often used to support this phase in IVF.
Running several clinic locations or a chain from one system, with shared protocols and central reporting. Multi-clinic software gives each branch local control with group wide visibility.
The medical term for an egg cell. Mature oocytes are collected at egg retrieval and fertilized in the laboratory.
The part of a clinic that treats patients who visit without being admitted. OPD software handles registration, consultations and outpatient billing.
An estimate of the number and quality of eggs remaining in the ovaries. It is assessed with hormone tests and an ultrasound follicle count to help plan treatment.
The use of hormone medication to encourage the ovaries to grow several follicles in one cycle. Growth is tracked with ultrasound and hormone monitoring.
The full path a patient takes from first enquiry through consultation, treatment and follow-up. Mapping the patient journey helps a clinic support people at each stage.
Preimplantation genetic testing, the analysis of a small sample of cells from an embryo before transfer. It is used to check for specific genetic conditions or chromosome counts.
Role based access control, a model where each staff member sees only the data and functions their role needs. It limits exposure of sensitive patient information.
A laboratory test that measures the volume, count, motility and shape of sperm in a sample. It is a standard part of a fertility assessment.
A laboratory step that separates healthy motile sperm from the rest of the seminal fluid. The prepared sample is then used for insemination or injection.
A fast freezing method that turns a sample into a glass like state without forming damaging ice crystals. It is widely used to freeze eggs and embryos.
A check, increasingly electronic, that confirms the right sample is matched to the right patient at each lab step. Electronic witnessing records the check and reduces the risk of a mix-up.
