Islet transplantation is a procedure that replaces only the cells required to normalize blood sugar levels. Islet cells comprise only 1% to 2% of the total number of cells found in the pancreas, and are scattered throughout this organ. This made islet isolation a challenging task that previously relied on the scientist’s skill and experience. The Automated Islet Isolation Method (Pat. No. 6,833,270) allows scientists to obtain large numbers of islets from a human pancreas in a consistent and reproducible manner. Biorep offers the equipment necessary for every step of this delicate procedure. You can think of it as the Road Kit for the Cure.
- The process of transplanting islets begins with a donor organ
- The organ is preserved and transported while slowly rotating in an oxygen saturated solution inside the Organ Transportation Container
- The organ is slowly injected with a digestive enzyme at a constant pressure using the Perfusion Apparatus and Perfusion Tray
- Complete dissociation and digestion of the pancreas is achieved in the Ricordi® Chamber using the semi-automatic cell processor Ricordi® Isolator
- Free islets separation from remaining pancreatic tissue is facilitated by creating a density gradient with the Gradient Mixer
- Viability assessment of the purified islet cell preparation can be automatically performed with the Biorep® Perifusion System
- Air transport of transplant grade cells is made possible with the Islet Shipping Container
- Islet cell transplantation is optimized with the funnel shape design of the Ricordi® Infusion Bag
