Processing and Storage

Processing your Baby's cord blood 
 
To preserve the viability of the sample, the collection bag contains an anticoagulant (to stop the cord blood clotting) and is designed to keep the blood's temperature within optimum range.
 
DO NOT put the sample in a fridge or freezer, it must be kept at room temperature.
 
Following the cord blood collection you will need to call the Smart Cell’s courier or consultant to collect the sample and deliver it to our laboratory in Plymouth for processing.
 
When the sample arrives at our laboratory, it is analysed to determine the quality and quantity of stem cells in your baby's cord blood. Then the sample is processed  by separating out the red blood cells. This is done by standard centrifugation technique removing unwanted cells and leaving concentrated stem cells.
 
The samples are then cryogenically frozen. For more information on this process, click here. 
We treat the cells to protect them from the freezing process and then hermetically seal them in a sterile pouch, which is then placed in an aluminium cassette. This is a closed method of storing.
 

 
Storing your Baby's stem cells
 
Our samples are stored in vaults at temperatures of below -180°C. Below - 135°C the cell ageing process stops, allowing the long-term preservation and storage of cells.
 
We store all samples in the vapour above liquid nitrogen, in a secure environment which is continually monitored and alarm protected. Our partner laboratory exceeds all UK and EU regulations and we have the only facility in the UK with a registered medical storage device.
Our partner laboratory is accredited by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority). The laboratory is also regulated by the HTA (The Human Tissue Authority) and has ISO 9001;2000 accreditation.  The laboratory is recognised by the American National Standars Institure Regularoty Accrediting Body and complies with all European Union directives on stem cell storage.
 
Samples are stored for 25 years.