Stem Cells

STEM CELLS ARE LIVE, BLANK CELLS - BASIC BUILDING BLOCKS

Note: Stem Cells are isolated from the placenta and the umbilical cord AFTER the baby is born by C-Section..

Stem Cells create an entire human being once an egg is fertilized. This demonstrates their ability to multiply and differentiate into about 220 tissue types in human body. Stem Cells are “immune privileged” so that patient’s immune system does not recognize them as foreign hence no tests for donor-patient matching is required. Lack of tissue type is demonstrated by lack of donor – receiver reaction. If this was to occur than no baby will survive inside the mother. Put simply Stem Cells are "Jack of all Trades".

PROPERTIES OF STEM CELLS

All stem cells have four basic properties

Stem Cells are unspecialized (basic blank living cells)
Stem Cells multiply to produce other stem cells for long periods of time
Stem Cells differentiate to produce about 220 types of specialized
Stem Cells stimulate resident Stem Cells in every organ of the body to differentiate and help in repair

ROUTES OF STEM CELL ADMINISTRATION

Stem Cells are live cells that must be injected

INTRAVENOUS INJECTION: Stem Cells are carried by the blood to various tissues as they are guided by chemicals released from damaged tissues.

INTRA-ARTICULAR INJECTION: Specific joints are injected with Stem Cells to provide concentrated quantities for fast healing. Joint injections can be

BLIND: By feeling and poking - guessing the placement of Stem Cells
ULTRASOUND GUIDED: Very limited utility even in the hands of specialist doctors that are certified in ultrasound as fat degrades resolution so that deeper tissues are not visualized. Also true depth cannot be determined and appropriate length of needle needed to access the joint cannot be determined. Stem Cells will likely be deposited in superficial tissues and no relief will occur. Most Doctors do not have training or certification in Ultrasound – guessing the placement of Stem Cells
X-RAY GUIDED: Xray is a flat picture and depth of joint for selection of appropriate needle is not possible. Also Most Doctors are not certified in x-ray or fluoroscopy. Superimposing needle over picture of joint is again a guessing game.
CT GUIDED - Most accurate. There is 3-D visualization as CT provides 1 or 2 mm thin slices of tissues so the x and y co-ordinates of joint are determined. The exact depth or z co-ordinate is then calculated by the Interventional Radiologist enabling them to choose the appropriate length needle that will reach that depth. Once placed in tissues, the needle tip is confirmed to be in the joint space by repeating the CT. Precise injection is required as joints are naturally narrow (1- 2 mm) and further narrowed by disease.