Assisted hatching  is the procedure that embryologists can perform with pinpoint laser technology in order to create an opening in the zona pellucida, the glycoprotein layer that surrounds the embryo, in order to improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) implantation rates with embryo transfer.  Assisted hatching is most commonly indicated in IVF cases when the female is 38 years of age or older, when a patient has previously had 2 unsuccessful embryo transfers, for embryo biopsy in preimplantation genetic screening/preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGS/PGD) case, or in cases of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET).