The invention relates to an artificial womb system for supporting newborns, in particular extremely premature infants between the 21/0 and 28/0 week of pregnancy, comprising the following: a chamber (1) of the artificial womb, said chamber being formed by an at least partially ultrasound-permeable wall (2) and comprising a lumen (14) for maintaining a physiologically intraamnial pressure and for receiving the artificial amniotic fluid (15) and a newborn or a premature infant, at least one access for supplying the premature infant in the artificial womb with nutrients, a dialysis device (9), and an oxygenator (8) and/or a gassing device for supplying oxygen to the newborn or premature infant, wherein means are provided in order to maintain an intraamnial pressure of >0 mBar in the chamber (1) of the artificial womb, said pressure acting on the newborn, in addition to the atmospheric pressure.

Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for an extracorporeal, artificial, placenta. In some embodiments, an artificial placenta and amniotic bed system may comprise a control unit, a gas delivery unit, a gas exchange unit or membrane oxygenator, a fluids delivery unit, an amniotic fluid bed, and a human machine interface. In some embodiments, the artificial placenta and amniotic bed systems, devices, and methods described herein may improve survival rates and minimize long-term disabilities in preterm, gestational-age, newborns. In some embodiments, the extracorporeal systems, devices, and methods comprise an artificial network through which oxygen and nutrient-rich blood may flow into a fetus (residing in an amniotic fluid bed), while carbon dioxide and wastes may be removed, thus re-establishing a form of intrauterine placental circulation.

Devices and methods for extraction and processing of substantia gelatinea funiculi umbilicalis (Wharton's Jelly) from an umbilical cord. Isolated pluripotent cell compositions and methods of using the same are also provided.

Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for an extracorporeal, artificial, placenta. In some embodiments, an artificial placenta and amniotic bed system may comprise a control unit, a gas delivery unit, a gas exchange unit or membrane oxygenator, a fluids delivery unit, an amniotic fluid bed, and a human machine interface. In some embodiments, the artificial placenta and amniotic bed systems, devices, and methods described herein may improve survival rates and minimize long-term disabilities in preterm, gestational-age, newborns. In some embodiments, the extracorporeal systems, devices, and methods comprise an artificial network through which oxygen and nutrient-rich blood may flow into a fetus (residing in an amniotic fluid bed), while carbon dioxide and wastes may be removed, thus re-establishing a form of intrauterine placental circulation.

A device and a method for supporting a human being, preferably a premature infant between the 21/0 and 28/0 week of pregnancy (SSW), The device comprises at least one through-flow system, comprising a number of fluid-permeable elements and connecting elements for the connection to an umbilical arterial catheter and an umbilical. venous catheter and a through-flow lumen for passing modified amniotic fluid enriched with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas mixture through the fluid-permeable elements, and at least one connection for introducing the modified amniotic fluid into the through-flow system. The through-flow systema is configured in such a way that the modified amniotic fluid is guided through the fluid-permeable elements of the through-flow system while the fetal blood is passed along the outer side of the fluid-permeable elements, but directed past the through-flow lumen, whereby a gas exchange occurs.

Devices and methods for extraction and processing of substantia gelatinea funiculi umbilicalis (Wharton's Jelly) from an umbilical cord. Isolated pluripotent cell compositions and methods of using the same are also provided.

The present disclosure provides an apparatus, and methods of using same, for collecting blood from an umbilical cord in a sterile environment that includes an umbilical cord retaining assembly and a blood collection assembly rotatably connected to the umbilical cord retaining assembly. A cord cutting blade, which is carried by the blood collection assembly, functions to cut the umbilical cord when the blood collection assembly is rotated relative to the umbilical cord retaining assembly. After the umbilical cord is cut, blood flows by force of gravity into the blood collection region of the blood collection assembly to which a blood collection bag can be interconnected.

The invention relates to an artificial womb system for supporting newborns, in particular extremely premature infants between the 21/0 and 28/0 week of pregnancy, comprising the following: a chamber (1) of the artificial womb, said chamber being formed by an at least partially ultrasound-permeable wall (2) and comprising a lumen (14) for maintaining a physiologically intraamnial pressure and for receiving the artificial amniotic fluid (15) and a newborn or a premature infant, at least one access for supplying the premature infant in the artificial womb with nutrients, a dialysis device (9), and an oxygenator (8) and/or a gassing device for supplying oxygen to the newborn or premature infant, wherein means are provided in order to maintain an intraamnial pressure of >0 mBar in the chamber (1) of the artificial womb, said pressure acting on the newborn, in addition to the atmospheric pressure.

An embodiment in accordance with the present invention is directed to a device for fixation, stabilization, and securement of an intravascular cannula to tissue. The fixation device affixes relative to the cannula and cannulated tissue, allowing the needle to be inserted to a shallow depth and then rapidly secured with one motion, using just one hand. The device works to secure cannulae not only in small vessels but also in situations non-permissive to current state-of-the-art cannulassuch as on wet, adhesive-incompatible surfaces, in intra-operative applications, or when hands-free securement is required. The device can also be utilized to access the umbilical arteries and vein for purposes of placental perfusion for cord blood collection or to facilitate and extend the duration of conventional cord blood collection.

A method of manufacturing a tissue matrix for implantation into a patient is disclosed. The method sets forth collecting embryonic stem cells from a placenta which has been treated to remove residual cord blood and seeding the collected stem cells onto or into a tissue matrix. The seeded tissue matrix is then implanted on or into a patient. The seeded tissue matrix made by the method of the present invention is also disclosed.