Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of umbilical cord blood cells from a donor or patient to provide neural cells which may be used in transplantation. The isolated cells according to the present invention may be used to effect autologous and allogeneic transplantation and repair of neural tissue, in particular, tissue of the brain and spinal cord and to treat neurodegenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of umbilical cord blood cells from a donor or patient to provide neural cells which may be used in transplantation. The isolated cells according to the present invention may be used to effect autologous and allogeneic transplantation and repair of neural tissue, in particular, tissue of the brain and spinal cord and to treat neurodegenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of umbilical cord blood cells from a donor or patient to provide neural cells which may be used in transplantation. The isolated cells according to the present invention may be used to effect autologous and allogeneic transplantation and repair of neural tissue, in particular, tissue of the brain and spinal cord and to treat neurodegenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of umbilical cord blood cells from a donor or patient to provide neural cells which may be used in transplantation. The isolated cells according to the present invention may be used to effect autologous and allogeneic transplantation and repair of neural tissue, in particular, tissue of the brain and spinal cord and to treat neurodegenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord.

Abstract: A cremation repository stores a multiplicity of containers holding cremated remains of respective individual organisms. In response to a request from a living human patron, the request incorporating an identification of the patron and an identification of one of the containers, a computer is operated to check a database to determine whether the patron is entitled to view the identified container. Where the request is proper or authorized, a robot mechanism is operated to retrieve the identified container from a respective storage location and to deliver the identified container to a predetermined location accessible by the patron. After the patron has completed visitation with the retrieved container, the robot mechanism is operated to return the that container in an essentially unaltered state to the container's storage location. The patron is enabled to order music and optionally other environmental conditions.

Abstract: A storage system particularly for storing biological materials such as blood, stem cells, and DNA includes a storage unit having at least three vertical sides, at least two of the three vertical sides each being provided with a plurality of individually accessible storage receptacles. A plurality of boxes or cassettes are removably disposed in respective ones of the storage receptacles. At least one robot mechanism is movable along a track section or path extending to the two vertical sides of the unit, the robot mechanism having a robotic arm for accessing the storage receptacles. A computer is operatively connected to the robot mechanism for controlling movement and access operations thereof and for registering the contents of the storage receptacles. Where the storage unit is disposed in a room, additional storage receptacles may be disposed in a rectangular array inside a wall of the room.

Abstract: In an insurance and/or annuity method, stem cells or other biological material of an individual are stored as a primary or ancillary part of an insurance policy. Fees are collected by an insurance company for the preservation of umbilical cord blood cells including stem cells, peripheral blood cells or other biological material of the policy holder, a secondary insured, or a beneficiary. The preservation and storage company is paid periodically for continuing storage costs either from an insurance policy premium or from the cash value of the insurance policy or directly by the policy holder or other interested party.

Abstract: A cremation repository stores a multiplicity of containers holding cremated remains of respective individual organisms. In response to a request from a living human patron, the request incorporating an identification of the patron and an identification of one of the containers, a computer is operated to check a database to determine whether the patron is entitled to view the identified container. Where the request is proper or authorized, a robot mechanism is operated to retrieve the identified container from a respective storage location and to deliver the identified container to a predetermined location accessible by the patron. After the patron has completed visitation with the retrieved container, the robot mechanism is operated to return the that container in an essentially unaltered state to the container's storage location. The patron is enabled to order music and optionally other environmental conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of umbilical cord blood cells from a donor or patient to provide neural cells which may be used in transplantation. The isolated cells according to the present invention may be used to effect autologous and allogeneic transplantation and repair of neural tissue, in particular, tissue of the brain and spinal cord and to treat neurodegenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord.

Abstract: A storage unit comprises a housing defining a storage chamber and a plurality of specimen carriers in the form of annular shelves disposed one below the other inside the chamber. A rotary drive is operatively connected to the carriers for rotating the carriers independently about a vertical axis. The housing is provided with an access opening for enabling access to the chamber from above the carrier, while an insertion and removal mechanism serves to alternately insert and remove specimens from the chamber via the access opening. The insertion and removal mechanism includes a lifting device disposed at least partially inside the storage chamber for moving specimens vertically between the access opening and the respective carriers. Specimen-containing vials are disposed on trays which in turn are supported by the carriers. The lifting mechanism operates to lift entire trays from the respective carriers towards the access opening.

Abstract: A storage apparatus comprises a housing for defining a cryogenic storage unit and a plurality of low-temperature chambers disposed one next to the other, the housing including partitions for separating the chambers from one another. Temperature controls for controlling temperature independently in each of the chambers is operatively connected to each of the chambers. Each one of the chambers has access to at least one other chamber contiguous with the one chamber. Supports are provided for holding a plurality of specimens within each chamber. A conveyor or transfer mechanism is provided for transfering selected specimens between contiguous chambers, independently of other specimens in the housing. In addition, access is provided to the housing to enable deposition and removal of given specimens from the housing.

Abstract: A method used in low temperature storage of biological specimens comprises the steps of (a) maintaining a multiplicity of biological specimens within a predetermined low temperature range in a cryogenic storage unit, (b) selecting at least one biological specimen for removal from the storage unit, (c) determining a respective thaw period and thaw rate for the selected specimen, (d) automatically retrieving the selected specimen from the storage unit at removal time in accordance with the respective determined thaw period, and (e) automatically thawing the selected specimen at the respective thaw rate. An associated thawing system comprises a storage unit for maintaining a plurality of biological specimens within a predetermined low temperature range, a plurality of thawing chambers, and a heat exchange assembly for implementing a temperature change in each of the chambers independently of temperature changes in the other chambers.

Abstract: A system for preparing a flexible elongate fluid-containing member for storage comprises a transparent perforated hollow shaft for supporting the fluid-containing member in a coiled configuration and a cup-shaped cleaning device for automatically dispensing a cleaning fluid onto the fluid-containing member while it is held in the coiled configuration on the support shaft. A transfer mechanism is provided for automatically transferring the fluid-containing member in the coiled configuration from the support shaft to a receptacle, and an aspirator is provided for automatically removing liquid from the fluid-containing member prior to transference thereof from the support shaft to the receptacle. The receptacle includes a central finger defining with an outer wall an annular storage chamber for maintaining the elongate member in a coiled configuration during storage.

Abstract: A sterilization apparatus comprises a housing provided with an opening through which an object may be inserted, and an ultraviolet radiation generator at least partially inside the housing for irradiating with bacteriocidal radiation an object inserted into the housing through the opening. A liquid spraying mechanism or gas injection mechanism is disposed at least partially inside the housing for applying to the inserted object a sterilizing agent. A coating or cover forming mechanism is also provided at least partially inside the housing for forming on the inserted object a protective covering. A control unit controls the activation of the radiation generator, the sterilizing mechanism and the coating mechanism.

Abstract: A cryogenic storage apparatus comprises a housing with an automatically operated access door. A holder device disposed in the housing supports a plurality of specimen-containing ampules, while a conveyor moves the holder device, together with the plurality of ampules, through cooling fluid in the housing along a path preferably including a snaking portion with vertically extending folds. An inverted L-shaped cooling component with an opened upper side is disposed in the housing for maintaining the cooling fluid at a predetermined low temperature. An extraction mechanism disposed outside of the housing at the access door serves to remove a selectable ampule positioned in the housing in juxtaposition to the door.

Abstract: In a method for preserving umbilical cord blood, a severed umbilical cord is provided which has at least one tubular blood vessel closed at opposite ends to maintain fluid in the vessel. An anticoagulant is added to blood fluids in the vessel, and the blood fluid is moved in the vessel to distribute the anticoagulant throughout the blood. An associated apparatus comprises a container, a support within the container for supporting an umbilical cord, an injector or other fluid adding device engageable with the umbilical cord in the container for introducing an anticoagulant into at least one tubular vessel in the umbilical cord, and a fluid moving device at least partially inside the container for moving blood fluid contained in the tubular vessel.

Abstract: A storage apparatus comprises a housing defining a plurality of chambers disposed one next to the other, the housing including partitions for separating the chambers from one another. Temperature control components are provided for controlling temperature independently in each of the chambers. Access openings are provided in the partitions between the chambers for enabling communication between each chamber and the chamber of chambers contiguous therewith. A support member movably supports a plurality of specimen-containing receptacles within the housing, while a drive is operatively connected to the support member for moving the receptacles from chamber to chamber through the access openings. An access door in the housing enables deposition and removal of a selected one of the receptacles from the housing.

Abstract: A cryogenic storage apparatus comprises a housing with an automatically operated access door. A holder device disposed in the housing supports a plurality of specimen-containing ampules, while a conveyor moves the holder device, together with the plurality of ampules, through cooling fluid in the housing along a path preferably including a snaking portion with vertically extending folds. An inverted L-shaped cooling component with an opened upper side is disposed in the housing for maintaining the cooling fluid at a predetermined low temperature. An extraction mechanism disposed outside of the housing at the access door serves to remove a selectable ampule positioned in the housing in juxtaposition to the door.

Abstract: A cryogenic storage apparatus comprises a housing with an automatically operated access door. A holder device disposed in the housing supports a plurality of specimen-containing ampules, while a conveyor moves the holder device, together with the plurality of ampules, through cooling fluid in the housing along a path preferably including a snaking portion with vertically extending folds. An inverted L-shaped cooling component with an opened upper side is disposed in the housing for maintaining the cooling fluid at a predetermined low temperature. An extraction mechanism disposed outside of the housing at the access door serves to remove a selectable ampule positioned in the housing in juxtaposition to the door.