Transfusion
medicine is a highly specialized therapy for patients in critical need of blood components, e.g. erythrocytes or thrombocytes
(platelets). Hemovigilance procedures are therefore
one of the most highly regulated areas in this medical field. Platelet
concentrates are widely used to prevent excessive bleeding in severely ill
patients.
Varying
outcome of transfused platelet concentrates is a well-known problem for hematologists, e.g. in the treatment of cancer patients.
The reasons for this can be due to several factors, including the
viability and thereby the efficacy of the
donated platelets.
Blood bank staff determine platelet quality by subjectively assessing a
phenomenon called swirling, which basically leads to a yes or no decision of the quality. Quality control
of platelets can also occur by taking a sample from the blood bag for
external analysis, a procedure that takes time and can
jeopardize the sterility of the bag in which the concentrate is stored.
CyteGuard is developing CyteGuard – the
FIRST and ONLY automated determination of platelet quality device – without jeopardizing the sterility of the platelet
bag by invasive measurements. The system measures a “close to linear”
decay over time, utilizing sophisticated light
technologies (Transmittance/Reflectance).
The
new CyteGuard technique distinguishes between the aging effects of platelets and possible pathogen growth and can therefore indicate contamination of a platelet bag.
This
provides a new opportunity to improve quality assurance of platelet
concentrates by delivering automatic information about viability and bacterial contamination
Platelets are stored under specific conditions to survive
up to several days.
During this storage time, which can
vary depending on local regulations, a gradual decrease in viable cells
occurs. The effect of transfused platelets
from any platelet bag can therefore vary due to the amount of viable
cells.
Information on platelet status is
important for optimal treatment, to avoid serious complications.
Hematologists would therefore like to have more
precise and objective documentation of the platelet bags they are about to transfuse to patients.
For blood centers, CyteGuard is a
valuable QC tool and helps to minimize discarding good platelets.
CyteGuard
AB. The team behind the development of new
CyteGuard is basically the same team that developed the DiaSpect Hb System® for rapid hemoglobin measurement, reinforced with further expertise in blood banking and platelet science.
The
development work to date has been done using equipment
based on the former CyteGuard platform for
storage with slightly inclined revolving shelves and with conventional flat moving
shelves.
CyteGuard quality control technology uses a
module-based approach and can thus be incorporated into existing or new
platelet cabinet designs.
The
project – Patent [BB-CASES.FID1706187] – is to
become the new state-of-the-art storage and
quality control system for platelet concentrates.
Become a partner:
CyteGuard is current looking for partners who want to take this unique concept to the next level. please read here
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