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A Clinical Advantage

Our Scientific Expertise

		ViaCord®	Cord Blood Registry® (CBR)
Cord and Placenta Blood Banking
Produces 39% more CD34+ stem cells
Produces more CD105+200+ stem cells
Provides MORE usable cells overall
AABB Accredited		Go to www.aabb.org for latest information
		ViaCord Process (Sepax)	CBR Process (AXP)
Purity of cord blood units	99%	83%	71%
Collection bags	Heparin-free	Heparin-free	Not heparin-free
Average transit time	Less than 24 hours	Information not available
Tissue Banking	FREE*	Not available	Fees applies

A Commitment to Purity

While all cord blood contains red blood cells, these cells have no therapeutic benefit and can actually lead to complications if not removed. LifebankUSA removes red blood cells through a process called "red blood cell depletion" to ensure that cord blood units are, on average, 99% pure.^*,1 Unlike LifebankUSA, some other cord blood banks have purity levels of less than 71%.^2,3 This means that their units contain more red blood cells that may cause complications if the cord blood units are used for treatment.

The LifebankUSA optimal red blood cell removal process eliminates the need for red blood cell removal at the time of transplant if your patients' stem cells are ever needed. This is important because further manipulation may lower the number of cells available for use.

Read more about the LifebankUSA 99% purity difference.

With LifebankUSA, expectant parents have the option to bank cord blood alone or both the placental and cord blood. Parents can also add on tissue banking.

Quick transit time

LifebankUSA takes great precautions to ensure that your baby's placenta, cord blood, and tissue are fully preserved. Click here to learn more.

At LifebankUSA, we use an FDA-recommended anticoagulant, citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD) solution, in our collection bags for cord blood preservation. This cell-protecting solution is also recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services.^4,5 CPD preserves cell metabolism, allowing the cells to maintain their integrity in the time between collection and processing. (link to 'Better Survival Rates'). Some other cord blood banks use a different anticoagulant, lyophilized (dry) heparin, which does not contain dextrose, and begins to break down after 12 hours. Compared to dry heparin, cord blood units collected with liquid CPD contain more CD34+ cells.⁶ LifebankUSA uses only liquid CPD.

Heparin-free collection bags

At LifebankUSA, we use an FDA-reccomended anticougulant, citrate phosphate dextros (CDP) solution, in our collection bags for cord blood preservation. This cell-protecting solution is also reccomended by the US Department of Health and Human Services.^4,5 CDP preserves cell metabolism, allowing the cells to maintain their integrity in the time between collection and processing.Some other cord blood banks use a different anticoagulant, lyophilized(dry) heparin, which does not contain dextrose, and begins to break down after 12 hours. Compared to dry heparin, cord blood units collected with liquid CDP contain more CD34+ cells.⁶ LifebankUSA uses only liquid CDP.

Processing and preservation

When collection kits arrive at LifebankUSA, each component is inspected and accounted for during a strict protocol verification process. Rigorous measures are taken to protect against contamination, including minimizing exposure to air and ensuring sterile conditions.

During processing, plasma is extracted and red blood cells are removed. Then, stem cells are separated and collected from the plasma. In addition, tests are conducted to determine cell count, cell viability, and the number of CD34+ cells. In a separate lab in the same facility, placental blood processing is performed. In this procedure, a technician uses a pump to remove the stem cell-rich blood to prepare for storage.

Once the technicians at LifebankUSA process the placental and cord blood, cells are cryopreserved in a vapor-phase liquid-nitrogen storage tank at approximately -190°C. Processed tissue is stored in vials using the same cryogenic method. The temperature is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, LifebankUSA storage tanks are maintained to the highest standards and have an emergency backup system that helps provide optimal long-term security for the stem cells. In a separate lab in the same facility, placental blood processing and tissue processing are performed.