Method for Obtaining Sterile Human Amniotic Fluid and Uses Thereof

Abstract

Provided herein is a pre-Caesarean method for collecting amniotic fluid from a patient. A needle is inserted into the incision site for the future C-section, which may be under ultrasound guidance, through which the amniotic fluid is drawn under a low level suction and, optionally, gravity to a sterile collection container. The method encompasses filtering and / or irradiating the amniotic fluid to collect biomolecules of interest such as growth factors and / or stem cells. Also provided is the sterile amniotic fluid or filtrates thereof collected by the method described herein

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This nonprovisional application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 821,868, filed May 10, 2013, now abandoned, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to the fields of the sterile obtention of a biological fluid and to the isolation and culture of biomolecules and cells from a biological fluid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pre-cesarian surgical method for the sterile collection and filtering of amniotic fluid for the isolation of biomolecules and stem cells therefrom.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Within the uterus of a pregnant woman, a growing fetus is surrounded and cushioned by amniotic fluid, a watery liquid within the amnion. Amniotic fluid is one of the main samples used for the medical examination of the pregnant w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention aims to provide an apparatus for collecting amniotic fluid from the uterus to diagnose various pre-natal ailments such as premature birth, amniotic fluid infection, fetal inflammation, etc. The apparatus can reduce the risk of direct insertion of a needle into the uterus and also conduct component analysis on amniotic fluid to facilitate diagnosis. Additionally, it can eliminate pain and anxiety caused by direct insertion of the needle.

Problems solved by technology

The insertion of the needle, however, entails the risk of complications and medical accidents, causing anxiety and pain to the pregnant woman.

While amniotic fluid cells can be obtained from a small amount of fluid during amniocentesis, these amounts are insufficient for a larger scale harvesting of biomolecules or culturing of the stem cells comprising amniotic fluid.

Particularly, the prior art is deficient in methods for obtaining sterile human amniotic fluid with minimal or no risk to a pregnant woman or fetus by collecting the amniotic fluid prior to an elective Caesarean section.

Images