To procure, prepare, and distribute normal, benign, and malignant human tissues in the requested quantities and state of preservation for use by CINJ investigators. To provide clinical, pathological, and outcome information through a confidential database, so that findings from basic research can be correlated with clinical data while maintaining strict patient confidentiality. To provide consultation to CINJ investigators in the design of clinical research protocols that require tissue procurement for scientific correlations. To ensure proper Institutional Review Board approval for the use of human tissues for research purposes, and to ensure that standard safety guidelines are followed by personnel using these materials. To facilitate completion of investigator-initiated clinical trials by collection of tissues and blood products according to specific protocols through coordination with the CINJ Clinical Research Office.
Members complete a tissue procurement form that identifies the type of tissue requested.
In consultation with the requester, the Tissue Retrieval Service determines the quantity of human tissues and procedures necessary to provide that material in an optimal state of preservation. The shared resource then arranges acquisition of tissue in the requested state and distributes the tissues efficiently to CINJ members. The pathologist examines the tissue with the aid of the coordinator, and freezes, fixes, places in culture media, or preserves the tissue in the manner requested. When special culture or oxygenated media is required, the investigator's laboratory prepares the media and delivers it to the Tissue Retrieval Service before the anticipated time of procurement. Through ongoing training of operating room staff, the Tissue Retrieval Service ensures that the specimens are sent promptly to the Surgical Pathology Laboratory upon removal from the patient.