ESSM involves taking an sperm sample and performing a thorough search (usually about 6-8 hours). This groundbreaking lab test is performed by dividing the entire semen sample into 5 micro-liter droplets and carefully scanning the drops under a high-powered microscope. Any sperm located are placed on a specialized device, called SpermVD, and cryopreserved for use in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI-IVF).