Separating stem cells from blood components

The Rubinstein-method which is applied by us in order to carry out this separation is very elaborate and cost-intensive. Surely it would be easier to simple freeze the blood from umbilical cord without any further processing. But the latter method is only applied by a very small number of providers, whereas the separation according to the Rubinstein-method is the gold standard nowadays. The advantages are manifold:  With the separation, the volume of the stem cell material can be significantly reduced and therefore the required amount of cryo-protectors can be minimised. The less of this agent is added, the better for the stem cells. Moreover, when freezing not separated material, other blood cells (mainly granulocytes), when unfreezing erythrocytes, haemolysis, may burst. The cell content which is spread after granulocytes burst, acts like glue and can clot the precious stem cells. Haemoglobin which is released during haemolysis is toxic once it is freed and may lead to kidney damages. If such stem cells are then required, they have to be separated and washed and that leads to enormous delays. 

eticur) prepares the umbilical cord blood of your child in such a way that it can be optimally used after unfreezing without any loss.

Parallelly with the first tests, the professional laboratory experts start to separate the stem cells from the umbilical cord blood. The separation is performed according to the approved Rubinstein-method, a world-wide accepted standard with an especially high yield (approx. 90%) of precious stem cells.

There are many good reasons for that: 

• When freezing and unfreezing the full blood, the erythrocytes. Otherwise the remains would have to be washed out before the material is applied to the patient, but then many intact cells are destroyed as well.   
• During freezing and unfreezing, the later not needed granulocytes burst. As they have a cell nucleus, their content, especially their DNA works like glue to the precious stem cells and may lead to clotting which leaves makes them useless for later application. 

• Separation
• HLA-Typification
• Direct pathogen check
• Freezing simulation
• Viability test with cell culture
• Storage in two separate tanks