Stem cells are separated from the plasma and red blood cells

How Will My Cord Blood Be Processed?

Securacell's commitment is to provide expectant families with the highest quality cord blood processing and state-of-the-art long term storage of their child's cord blood sample.

When you enroll with Securacell, your kit and blood sample are immediately assigned a unique identifier bar code. Once the blood is collected, we arrange for it to be picked-up and sent to our lab where processing begins.

Instead of freezing whole blood, the stem cells are separated from the red blood cells and plasma. This preferred method produces cells with greater viability and it is the choice of physicians because it minimizes the risk of blood type (ABO) incompatibility if the cord blood is needed.

Once the stem cells are separated from the red blood cells and plasma, they are placed in a dual chamber blood bag in preparation for freezing and storage. The dual chamber blood bag provides families with the future potential benefit of using the cells for more than one treatment. Each sample is bar coded and clearly marked with: Cord Blood Identifying Number, Account Number, Date of Processing, and Contents.

Your sample is then sent to the first stage of the cryopreservation process which is a slow-rate introduction to the freezing process. Next, your sample is placed in our liquid nitrogen tanks where it remains for potential future use. We take the extra step of slow-rate introduction to ensure the safety of the cells. The progression to lower and lower temperatures keeps the cells from going into shock from the extreme negative temperature of -196° Celsius.

All samples are tested for cellular viability.

How are the Cells Stored?

Your cord blood sample will be tested for bacterial and fungal contamination when it arrives at the lab. All expectant mothers will send 2 vials of blood (included in your kit) with the baby's cord blood sample, so we can test the blood for infectious disease markers. This is a requirement of current cord blood banking regulations.

Your baby's cells are secure at our state-of-the-art storage facility which is monitored 24 hours a day with a high tech alarms system and back-up generators. Our patented computer system monitors and tracks your vials at all times. You can feel secure knowing your baby’s cord blood is being handled by laboratory and cellular storage personnel with years of experience.

We use a small amount of your baby's own plasma and DMSO to protect your cells.

What Solvent Is Used To Prevent the Cells From Freezing?

We use a cryo-protectant, DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) to act as a shield around the stem cells. This solution is spun out of the stem cells in the event the cells are needed for transplant.