Abstract: Methods and solutions for the preservation and procurement of placental stem cells. A method for collecting stem cells from a placenta includes draining cord blood from the placenta and collecting the drained cord blood in a first collection. The drained placenta is perfused with a first perfusion solution including a placental preservative base solution and a vasodilator. The placenta is perfused with a second perfusion solution including placental preservative base solution, a stem cell releasing agent, an antibiotic, and an anticoagulant, and a predetermined amount of time is allowed to elapse as the first and second perfusion solutions perfuse the placenta. The first and second perfusion solutions, which contain stem cells from the placenta, are then collected in a second collection.

Abstract: A stand for the collection of stem cells from a placenta is disclosed. The stand includes a base with an upper surface adapted to hold a placenta during stem cell collection, a back support, and an upper platform with a surface suspended above the base and adapted to hold the placenta during collection of stem cells. The stand is preferably composed of cardboard or a similar material and is foldable between a folded configuration and an assembled configuration. The back support is hinged to the base and can move between a position parallel to the base in the folded configuration and a position perpendicular to the base in the assembled configuration.

Abstract: A stand for the collection of stem cells from a placenta. The stand includes a base with an upper surface adapted to hold a placenta during stem cell collection, a back support, and an upper platform with a surface suspended above the base and adapted to hold the placenta during collection of stem cells. The stand is preferably composed of cardboard or a similar material and is foldable between a folded configuration and an assembled configuration. The back support is hinged to the base and can move between a position parallel to the base in the folded configuration and a position perpendicular to the base in the assembled configuration.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a premature infant at a statistical risk of sustaining an intraventricular hemorrhage. The method, or therapeutic protocol, can include at least one or more of the following steps: identifying premature infants at a statistical risk of having an intraventricular hemorrhage, collecting umbilical cord blood from the identified premature infant, separating totipotential stem cells (e.g., having the ability to proliferate and differentiate as neural stem cells) from the collected cord blood, storing the separated stem cells, establishing evidence of an intraventricular hemorrhage (preferably prior to Grade III/IV if possible) in the premature infant, and intrathecally administering the autologous cord blood derived stem cells to the premature infant.

Abstract: A device for the transport of a placenta and a stand for the collection of stem cells from the placenta. The placental transport device comprising a cylindrical top portion and a cylindrical bottom portion together defining a placental storage region, with a hinge coupling the portions such that the placenta is enclosed inside the placental storage region when the cylindrical top and bottom portions are in a closed configuration. The stand comprising a base with a recess adapted to hold a placenta during stem cell collection solution loading, an upright back support, and an upper platform with a recess adapted to hold the placenta during collection of stem cells.

Abstract: Methods and solutions for the preservation and procurement of placental stem cells. A method for collecting stem cells from a placenta includes draining cord blood from the placenta and collecting the drained cord blood in a first collection. The drained placenta is perfused with a first perfusion solution including a placental preservative base solution and a vasodilator. The placenta is perfused with a second perfusion solution including placental preservative base solution, a stem cell releasing agent, an antibiotic, and an anticoagulant, and a predetermined amount of time is allowed to elapse as the first and second perfusion solutions perfuse the placenta. The first and second perfusion solutions, which contain stem cells from the placenta, are then collected in a second collection.

Abstract: Methods and solutions for the preservation and procurement of placental stem cells. A method for collecting stem cells from a placenta comprises: draining cord blood from the placenta; perfusing the drained placenta with a perfusion solution comprising 1,1?-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]-bis-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, papaverine, and a placental preservative; and collecting the stem cells and perfusion solution from the placenta.

Abstract: A device for the transport of a placenta and a stand for the collection of stem cells from the placenta. The placental transport device comprising a cylindrical top portion and a cylindrical bottom portion together defining a placental storage region, with a hinge coupling the portions such that the placenta is enclosed inside the placental storage region when the cylindrical top and bottom portions are in a closed configuration. The stand comprising a base with a recess adapted to hold a placenta during stem cell collection solution loading, an upright back support, and an upper platform with a recess adapted to hold the placenta during collection of stem cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a premature infant at a statistical risk of sustaining an intraventricular hemorrhage. The method, or therapeutic protocol, can include at least one or more of the following steps: identifying premature infants at a statistical risk of having an intraventricular hemorrhage, collecting umbilical cord blood from the identified premature infant, separating totipotential stem cells (e.g., having the ability to proliferate and differentiate as neural stem cells) from the collected cord blood, storing the separated stem cells, establishing evidence of an intraventricular hemorrhage (preferably prior to Grade III/IV if possible) in the premature infant, and intrathecally administering the autologous cord blood derived stem cells to the premature infant.

Abstract: Described is a method to determine the viability of cells by measuring the absolute and relative rate of metabolic activity and/or integrity of the cell membrane through the use of vibrational spectroscopy. The use of deuterated agents facilitates detection of changes associated with a change in viability.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for collecting and storing umbilical blood in a system that allows for the closed aliquoting of small blood volumes for autologous transfusion in neonates. The method involves locating a venous access site on an umbilical cord of the placenta of a neonate. A vacuum pressure is applied to a blood collection bag to facilitate removal of an amount of blood from the umbilical cord. The blood may then be stored in the collection bag and used for subsequent autologous neonate blood transfusion.