Abstract:
A stand for the collection of stem cells from a placenta. The stand includes a base with an upper surface adapted to hold a placenta during stem cell collection, a back support, and an upper platform with a surface suspended above the base and adapted to hold the placenta during collection of stem cells. The stand is preferably composed of cardboard or a similar material and is foldable between a folded configuration and an assembled configuration. The back support is hinged to the base and can move between a position parallel to the base in the folded configuration and a position perpendicular to the base in the assembled configuration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to procurement of cord blood and placental stem cells and, more specifically, to devices and systems, and methods for manipulating and holding a placenta during procurement of cord blood and placental stem cells. 
         [0002]    Stem cells are master cells found in all multicellular organisms. These special cells are important to the human body, for example, because they are capable of differentiating into a multitude of different specialized cell types, and dividing to maintain a supply of stem cells. In humans there are two main types of stems cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. In a developing embryo stem cells differentiate into all types of cells, thereby creating specialized tissues, organs, and systems. In an adult human, stem cells are involved in the normal turnover of organs such as blood and skin. 
         [0003]    Hematopoietic stem cells, for example, are used to treat blood and immune system diseases because they can differentiate into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. However, some stem cell transplants have been performed for patients with genetic or metabolic diseases. Indeed, to date more than 80 different diseases have been treated using stem cell transplants. According to the National Cord Blood Program, there were over 15,000 through the end of 2009. The National Marrow Donor Program estimates that there will be 10,000 cord blood transplants per year by 2015, up from 2,000 per year in 2006. 
         [0004]    In addition to known treatments involving stem cells, research continues into the promise of many potential future applications. Indeed, the ability of stem cells to differentiate into other types of cells holds significant promise for treating some of the world&#39;s most common diseases including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hearing loss, blood disorders, Parkinson&#39;s disease, and Alzheimer&#39;s disease, just to name a few. 
         [0005]    Umbilical cord blood—blood which remains in the placenta and umbilical cord after childbirth—is one of the most common sources of stem cells. Since cord blood is collected from the placenta, which is normally discarded, the collection process is safe for both the mother and the newborn. Cord blood is obtained by syringing out the placenta through the umbilical cord shortly after childbirth, after the cord has been detached from the newborn. The retrieved blood can then be frozen and stored indefinitely. 
         [0006]    Although the amount of stem cells obtained from cord blood is generally enough to treat a child, there are generally not enough stem cells to treat an adult patient. The placenta is a better source of stem cells, since it can contain up to ten times more stem cells than cord blood. Still, even when blood is retrieved from both the umbilical cord and placenta using current collection methods, the amount of stem cells is often not suitable to treat an adult patient. As a result, there is a continued need for cord blood collection methods and devices that significantly increase the number of stem cells collected, facilitate the collection of stem cells, and allow for the collection of enough stem cells to treat at least one adult patient. 
         [0007]    There is also a continued need for devices that manipulate and hold the placenta during stem cell collection. These devices must be both affordable and rugged in order to facilitate stem cell collection without error or added cost. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a method, device, and/or system for manipulating a placenta. It is another object and advantage to provide a device to facilitate the ingress and egress of stem cell procurement fluids into and out of a placenta. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious, and in part appear hereinafter. 
         [0009]    The present disclosure is therefore directed to inventive apparatus and methods for manipulating, positioning, and/or holding a placenta during the collection of stem cells from the placenta. In view of the foregoing, various embodiments are directed to a compact collection stand that is composed of one or more pieces. The compact collection stand is manufactured to adopt at least two configurations—a compact folded configuration adapted for transport and storage of the device, and an expanded unfolded configuration adapted for use of the device. In some embodiments, the compact collection stand is also disposable. For example, the compact collection stand can be made of cardboard or a similar recyclable or disposable material, including but not limited to various varieties of plastic. 
         [0010]    Generally, in one aspect, a stand for preparing and collecting a plurality of stem cells from a placenta is convertible between a folded configuration and an assembled configuration. The stand includes a base portion having an upper surface adapted to hold at least a portion of a placenta; an upper platform positionable in a horizontal orientation and having an upper surface substantially parallel to the upper surface of the base portion and adapted to hold at least a portion of a placenta; and a back support coupled to the upper platform and in hinged communication with the base portion such that the upper platform is suspended above the base when the stand is in the assembled configuration, the back support including a foldably positionable first arm and a foldably positionable second arm, where the first and second arms are substantially parallel with the upper surface of the base when the stand is in the folded configuration, and are substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the base when the stand is in the assembled configuration. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the upper platform includes a front flap in hinged communication with the upper surface of the upper platform and configured to fold substantially underneath the upper surface of the upper platform when the stand is in the assembled configuration. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the front flap of the upper platform defines first and second slots, the first arm includes a first tab, and the second arm defines a second tab, where the first tab is configured to reversibly fit into the first slot and the second tab is configured to reversibly fit into the second slot when the stand is in the assembled configuration. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the upper platform defines a first slot and the back support includes a first tab, the first tab configured to fit into the first slot when the stand is in the assembled configuration. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the back support defines first and second slots, the first arm includes a first tab, and the second arm defines a second tab, where the first tab is configured to reversibly fit into the first slot and the second tab is configured to reversibly fit into the second slot when the stand is in the assembled configuration. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the base defines a cavity. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the upper platform includes a notch sized to firmly receive at least a portion of an umbilical cord. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the stand is made of cardboard. 
         [0018]    Generally, in one aspect, a stand for preparing and collecting a plurality of stem cells from a placenta is convertible between a folded configuration and an assembled configuration. The stand includes a base portion having an upper surface adapted to hold at least a portion of a placenta; an upper platform positionable in a horizontal orientation and having an upper surface substantially parallel to the upper surface of the base portion and adapted to hold at least a portion of a placenta, where the upper platform includes a front flap in hinged communication with the upper surface of the upper platform and configured to fold substantially underneath the upper surface of the upper platform when the stand is in the assembled configuration, and further where the front flap defines first and second flap slots; and a back support coupled to the upper platform and in hinged communication with the base portion such that the upper platform is suspended above the base when the stand is in the assembled configuration, the back support defining first and second support slots and including a foldably positionable first arm and a foldably positionable second arm, each of the first and second arms including a flap tab and a support tab, where the first and second arms are substantially parallel with the upper surface of the base when the stand is in the folded configuration, and are substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the base when the stand is in the assembled configuration; where the flap tab of the first and second arms is configured to reversibly fit into the first and second flap slot, respectively, of the upper support front flap when the stand is in the assembled configuration, and further where the support tab of the first and second arms is configured to reversibly fit into the first and second support slot, respectively, when the stand is in the assembled configuration. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the stand is made of cardboard. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the upper platform defines a back support slot and the back support includes a back support tab, the back support tab configured to fit into the back support slot when the stand is in the assembled configuration. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the base defines a cavity. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the upper platform includes a notch sized to firmly receive at least a portion of an umbilical cord. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0023]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an assembled procurement stand in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of an upper portion of a procurement stand in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a schematic of a base of a procurement stand in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a schematic of a collection kit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a schematic of a kit sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a schematic of a shipping case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a prospective view of a procurement stand in its carrying case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a prospective view of a collapsed procurement stand removed from its carrying case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a collapsed procurement stand in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a partially assembled procurement stand in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    It is desirable to obtain umbilical cord and placental blood in order to harvest the stem cells contained within them. These stem cells then have a variety of uses, both in basic science research and in treatment of disease. For example, stem cell transplants have been performed for patients with genetic or metabolic diseases, and to date more than 80 different diseases have been treated using stem cell transplants. However, the amount of stem cells obtained from both the umbilical cord and placenta using previous collection methods is generally not enough to treat an adult patient. 
         [0035]    Accordingly, Applicants have appreciated that it would be beneficial to provide methods and devices that manipulate, position, and hold the umbilical cord and placenta to maximize the inflow and outflow of blood and other fluids during stem cell collection. 
         [0036]    In view of the foregoing, various embodiments are directed to inventive apparatus and methods for manipulating, positioning, and/or holding a placenta using compact collection stand that is composed of one or more pieces. The compact collection stand is manufactured to adopt at least two configurations—a compact folded configuration adapted for transport and storage of the device, and an expanded unfolded configuration adapted for use of the device. In some embodiments, the compact collection stand is also disposable. For example, the compact collection stand can be made of cardboard or a similar recyclable or disposable material, including but not limited to various varieties of plastic. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1  is a front view of a stem cell procurement stand  100  in accordance with one embodiment, which facilitates the ingress and egress of stem cell procurement fluids into and out of the placenta after delivery. The device preferably is made of a material such as cardboard or plastic, although a variety of suitable materials are possible. For example, stem cell procurement stand  100  may be composed of a material that allows the device to at least partially fold at one or more locations such that the device is collapsible and/or disposable. According to one embodiment, therefore, stem cell procurement stand  100  is foldable and is thus structured, adapted, and/or configured to adopt two different configurations: a first, collapsed configuration suitable for transporting or storing the device, and a second, expanded configuration that enables the device to be utilized for stem cell procurement. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , stem cell procurement stand  100  includes a base  110  which is preferably dimensioned such that it can comfortably hold a placenta in the region denoted lower placenta receiving area  120 . In a preferred embodiment and method, the placenta is placed ‘umbilical cord side up’ in lower placenta receiving area  120  in order to facilitate the influx of fluids into the cord and placenta via gravity. 
         [0039]    Extending vertically upward from base  110  is backing  130  of the device. Backing  130  has an upper shelf  140 , which is dimensioned to hold the placenta. In a preferred embodiment, the placenta is placed ‘umbilical cord side down’ on upper shelf  140  to allow fluids to exit the cord and placenta via gravity. To maximize the effect of gravity, the umbilical cord is preferably positioned into a notch  150  in or near upper shelf  140  such that fluids in the placenta can flow toward and into the umbilical cord and then into a collection device such as a bag or other container. In one embodiment, notch  150  can also hold or receive a portion of a bag containing stem cell procurement fluid which is loaded into the placenta during loading, and can also hold or receive a bag into which the stem cell procurement fluid is unloaded from the placenta during unloading. 
         [0040]    A wide range of dimensions for the device are possible, although according to one embodiment the dimensions are at least partially derived from the average size of the placenta from the particular mammal it will be used for. For example, if the stand is used for humans, the recesses will be sized to hold at least the average human placenta, and the remainder of the stand will be sized based on the size of the recesses. 
         [0041]    Stem cell procurement stand  100  is preferably used to facilitate the loading and unloading of stem cell procurement fluid. At a first step of procurement using the device according to one embodiment, the placenta is placed in lower placenta receiving area  120  and a bag containing the procurement fluid is clipped onto the device or placed on top of the device on shelf  140 . A needle or tube from the bag is inserted into the umbilical cord and/or placenta, and the fluid from the bag is allowed to load into the placenta via the umbilical cord. The placenta may be manipulated to encourage loading. 
         [0042]    At a second step of procurement using stem cell procurement stand  100  according to one embodiment, the placenta is placed upper shelf  140  of the device with the umbilical cord in the provided notch  150 , and a collection bag is clipped onto the device. A needle or tube from the bag is inserted into the umbilical cord and/or placenta, and the fluid from the placenta is allowed to load into the bag via the umbilical cord. The placenta may be manipulated to encourage unloading. 
         [0043]    In accordance with an embodiment, stem cell procurement stand  100  is reversibly collapsible and foldable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In a first configuration, shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , stem cell procurement stand  100  comprises two or more pieces folded and collapsed into a carrying case  200 . Stem cell procurement stand  100  can be folded, shipped, and/or stored with or without carrying case  200 . Carrying case  200  preferably comprises a material such as cardboard or plastic, although a variety of suitable materials are possible, and contains a notch  210  configured to allow the exposure and manipulation of a handle  220 . According to a preferred embodiment, carrying case  200  has open sides or has one or more side panels that can be moved, opened, or removed to allow folded stem cell procurement stand  100  to be placed into or withdrawn from the interior of the carrying case. As shown in  FIG. 8 , for example, stem cell procurement stand  100  can be withdrawn from carrying case  200  in its folded configuration. 
         [0044]    In its first, folded configuration, the backing  130  of stem cell procurement stand  100  is folded nearly flat, as shown in  FIG. 9 . To assemble the backing  130  for use, the upper portion  140  of folded backing  130  in  FIG. 7  is pulled vertically upward, and arms  310  and  320  of the backing are extended. Each arm has a pre-folded or perforated fold  330  (see  FIG. 2 ) that allows a front half of the arm to fold back on itself toward the rear support wall  340  of backing  130  (shown in  FIG. 10 ). In these and other figures, dotted lines indicate where a fold can occur in the first configuration, the second configuration, or both. A dotted line may be pre-folded or perforated, or may otherwise be configured to allow or facilitate folding. Each arm has an upper tab  350  and a lower tab  360 . Upper tab  350  of each arm fits into a respective one of upper slots  370  of upper portion  140  of backing  130 , and lower tab  360  of each arm fits into a respective one of lower slots  380  of rear support wall  340 . Upper portion  140  of backing  130  has a front flap  390  that folds along a pre-folded or perforated fold  480  (see  FIG. 9 ) under upper portion  140 , such that the fold faces the interior section of the backing, as shown in  FIG. 10 . This folding places upper slots  370  into opposition with upper tabs  350  to allow the upper portion of the stand to be assembled. The forces exerted between base  110  and upper portion  140  on arms  310  and  320  keeps the device firmly folded and structurally sound. 
         [0045]    In the first, folded configuration of backing  130 , rear support wall  340  is flat underneath upper portion  140  and arms  310  and  320  (see  FIG. 9 , for example). In the second, expanded configuration of backing  130 , rear support wall  340  is pulled vertically upward and upper tab  400  of the rear wall is placed into slot  410  of upper portion  140  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). In one embodiment, the lower portion  420  of rear support wall  340  is attached to base  110 . In one embodiment, backing  130  is manufactured as a portion of base  110 , or is attached to base  110  during or after manufacturing. Alternatively, backing  130  can rest on top of base  110 , or can connect to  110  by Velcro, glue, tape, or other connecting mechanism. For example, in one embodiment, lower portion  420  of rear support wall  340  (shown in  FIG. 2  in shading) is glued or otherwise connected to shaded region  430  of base  110 . This allows the rear support wall to stay connected to base  110  at all times, but can hinge at fold  510  so that rear support wall can adopt both the flat configuration ( FIG. 9 ) and the upright configuration ( FIG. 10 ). 
         [0046]    Similarly, in one embodiment, shaded portion  440  of base  110  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) can be glued or otherwise connected to flap  450  in order to create a folded, rectangular base  110  as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 10 , for example. The front flap  460  of base  110  preferably faces forward, and notch  470  of front flap  460  faces forward. Notch  470  is can be used for a variety of functions, including holding a collection bag or container and/or a solution bag or container. The folded rectangular base  110  as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 10  also forms a pocket or cavity  560 , as the base  110  can lack a back (see, for example,  FIG. 3 , in which base  110  lacks a back flap) or include a flap or other movable covering that allows access to an interior pocket of base  110 .  FIG. 8 , for example, shows a collection kit  600  (schematic shown in  FIG. 4 ) that has been placed inside the pocket or cavity  560  formed in the back of base  110 . The edges of the pocket are shown around the collection kit  600 . 
         [0047]    Accordingly, to assemble a stem cell collection stand from a first, folded configuration to a second, assembled configuration, the following steps are performed. First, a folded stand  100  is provided, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Next, the folded components are removed from the case  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Next, the upper portion  130  is pulled upward, and rear support  340  (which is connected at its base to the base  110 ) is pulled upward, hinging at fold  510  so that backing  130  is vertical between the base  110  and upper portion  130 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , with tab  400  of rear support  340  fitting into slot  410  of upper portion  130 . Arms  310  and  320  are pulled outward from the flat configuration in  FIG. 9  to the extended configuration (see arm  320  in  FIG. 10 ). Front flap  390  of upper portion  130  is folded underneath so that the flap faces the interior of the vertical portion of the device, as shown in  FIG. 10 . Each of arms  310  and  320  are folded backward toward backing  130 , such that tabs  350  of each arm fit into slots  370  of the folded front flap  390  of upper portion  130 , and tabs  360  of each arm fit into slots  380  of rear support wall  340 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . Device  100  is now in the second, assembled configuration shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0048]    In addition to facilitating the ingress and egress of stem cell procurement fluids into and out of a placenta, maximizing efficient stem cell collection also often requires the secure transport of the placenta from one location to another. According to one embodiment, the kit can also include a shipping container  700 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The shipping container can be utilized to ship one or more components of the device and/or collection quantities (stem cells, placenta, cord blood, etc.) to a facility for storage or processing. 
         [0049]    Although the present invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that modifications, alterations, and additions can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.