Time-lapse photography or morphokinetics is a technique by which a camera records development of the embryo by taking photographs every 10 to 20 minutes while the embryo is developing in the incubator. This creates a short movie that can be assessed with computer software. Timing Of cleavages and other morphology changes such as fragmentation and vacuolation can be identified using this technology.

In the past studies have shown that certain embryo characteristics allow easier identification of those embryos more likely to get to blastocyst stage and to implant and create a successful pregnancy. It also allows successful identification of aneuploidy. A recent study has shown superiority of the embryo scope in pregnancy rates but the difference did not reach statistical significance. This is an area for further research. Large trials would be expected to show a benefit for the embryo scope in certain circumstances.