Abstract: Compositions and methods for the shipping, packaging, and freezing of whole or partial biological materials including but not limited to cells, tissues, and organs, designed to simultaneously reduce freezing damage and maintain tissue structure. The compositions include a buffered hyperosmotic solution, an oncotic agent, an antioxidant, a metal chelator, and a ketone body. These aspects of the present invention are applicable to transport and preservation of biological materials including but not limited to amniotic membrane of the placenta and umbilical cord and are applicable to preservation of cellular and acellular biological materials generally.

Abstract: Methods for the ex vivo use of NAD to remove T cells that can potentially cause graft-verus-host disease (GvHD) from hematopoietic stem cell sources. Hematopoietic stem cell sources include bone marrow, cord blood, and peripheral blood (including mobilized peripheral blood). The present invention is a method including steps for using the hematopoietic stem cell sources treated with NAD for hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs). HSCTs are used as the standard-of-care in many diseases including several types of cancer and several genetic disorders. The majority of these transplants are allogeneic, in which the stem cell source comes from a donor who is a different individual than the intended recipient. Allogeneic HSCTs carry a risk of causing GvHD, in which donor T cells attack the recipient.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the shipping, packaging, and freezing of whole or partial biological materials including but not limited to cells, tissues, and organs, designed to simultaneously reduce freezing damage and maintain tissue structure. This is achieved using a composition for transport and ambient or cold storage, a cryopreservative suitable to reduce damage during the cooling process, and a device for supporting the biological material during the freezing process. Each of the transport media, cryopreservative, and device to support freezing are compatible for use in a shipping and processing chain of events but are not intended to be limiting for use only with each other. These aspects of the present invention are applicable to transport and preservation of biological materials including but not limited to amniotic membrane of the placenta and umbilical cord but are applicable to preservation of cellular and acellular biological materials generally.

Abstract: A device and method for the collection of blood from an umbilical cord. Unlike other devices traditionally used which make use of a needle for insertion through the cord tissue and into the umbilical vein, the present device includes a long probe to be inserted into the umbilical vein after the umbilical cord is cut. The device additionally includes a fastening component to be tied around the umbilical cord under the position of the head of the device once inserted to fasten it in place. The device has a wide aperture for faster flow of the blood at a constantly tapered angle to reduce shear forces that may damage cells. Additionally, the head of the device is angled for easy insertion into the umbilical vein and is ribbed to resist falling out of the vein.

Abstract: Methods for the ex vivo use of NAD to remove T cells that can potentially cause graft-verus-host disease (GvHD) from hematopoietic stem cell sources. Hematopoietic stem cell sources include bone marrow, cord blood, and peripheral blood (including mobilized peripheral blood). The present invention is a method including steps for using the hematopoietic stem cell sources treated with NAD for hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs). HSCTs are used as the standard-of-care in many diseases including several types of cancer and several genetic disorders. The majority of these transplants are allogeneic, in which the stem cell source comes from a donor who is a different individual than the intended recipient. Allogeneic HSCTs carry a risk of causing GvHD, in which donor T cells attack the recipient.