Islets are pancreas cells that are able to sense sugar in the blood and release just the right amount of insulin to maintain normal sugar levels in the body.  Islet cells comprise only 1% to 2% of the total number of cells found in the pancreas, and are scattered throughout this organ.  When viewed through a microscope, they look like small clusters of islands (or isles) floating in a sea of other pancreas cells. The invention of the automated method of islet isolation (see Patent Number 6,833,270) by Dr. Camillo Ricordi® , made it possible for scientists to obtain larger numbers of islets from a human pancreas .

1. The Islet isolation process begins with the preparation of a donor pancreas (see Organ Preservation Container ).  The organ is slowly injected with special digestive chemicals at a constant pressure (see Perfusion Apparatus ).  The pancreas is then placed in the Ricordi Chamber containing marbles .  The chamber is shaken gently (see wrist, orbital, and servo shakers ) and the pancreas is progressively broken down into smaller and smaller pieces. 
2. A very fine screen (see Wire Mesh and Perforated Plate) divides the chamber, allowing only pieces that are half a millimiter or smaller to pass through. 
3. A pump pushes the solution through the chamber and keeps flow going in one direction. 
4. The digestive solutions are warmed to body temperature using a heating coil (see also Orbital Shaker with Automatic Heater ) during what's called the recirculation phase. 
5. The digestive enzymes are recirculated many times through the chamber slowly dissolving the tissue surrounding the islet cells with each go around. 
6. In the dilution phase (see Valve Stand ), fresh solution that does not contain digestive enzymes is circulated through the system.  The temperature of the circulating solution is reduced to gradually slow the chemical reaction. 
7. Cells are collected and purified using a density gradient method (see Gradient Mixers ).  The procedure leaves the healthiest islets on top.  These islets are then resuspended, cultured, inspected, and allowed to rest overnight.  Before being infused into a patient (see Ricordi Infusion Bag ), they must pass final quality assurance inspections.