When it comes to cost, it is the first thing that often comes to mind to those expectant parents who wish to store their blood in the cord blood bank. Well, they need to know the fact that cord blood bank costs tend to vary from company to company that offers cord blood banking facilities. While searching for cord blood banking in a country like the US, you will come across plenty of options. And their storage cost is indeed different. So, you need to store your cord blood accordingly.

There are two types of blood banks available to store your cord blood. Some of these are privately held whereas others are public cord blood banking. If you don’t wish to spend even a single penny on your baby’s cord blood storage, it’s advisable to approach public cord blood banks since they offer their services without charging anything. Be its collection process, testing, or storage, the public held blood banks don’t charge for anything from their customers.

Private blood banks, on the other hand, charge for everything. So, if you have decided to approach them you need to be ready to spend your hard-earned money. Whether you approach a public or private blood bank, they both needs parents especially the mother of the child to go for different testing be it HIV, hepatitis, or others.

Financial Aid for Cord Blood Bank

Yes, financial aid is available but only for those who have sick children who could avail of the benefits of umbilical cord blood. There are many public banks and even private banks that have a special program that aims to provide the greatest assistance be it for processing cord blood processing or its storage.

But, one can avail of such assistance only if their baby has a biological sibling who is suffering from diseases. Some cord blood banks facilitate you to store your baby’s cord blood for at least one year.

Why One Should Consider Private Cord Blood Bank

A private cord blood bank has numerous advantages to those people having a family history of various diseases that are harmful to the immune and blood of your human body. Some of these diseases are cancers, leukemia, sickle-cell anemia, and various diseases related to metabolic disorders.

Those parents who are blessed with a child who is suffering from illness with any of the above diseases can grab opportunities to find the best match with the cord blood of their baby. Besides, those parents who have a family history of diseases like Alzheimer’s autism, diabetes, etc, can also avail of numerous advantages from using cord blood.

Though it’s not possible to cure these diseases completely with the use of umbilical cord steam cells, researchers nowadays work hard to find ways for curing them by using cord blood.

Factors that determine the cost of Cord Blood Storage

So, if you are fully determined to storage your baby’s cord blood in the bank, then you should also know various factors that determine the overall cost. Take a look at all those factors that have a higher potential to affect the cord blood bank cost to a wider extent.

Total Monocular Cell Counts

When it comes to mononuclear cell counts, these are something that tends to differ from nucleated cell counts by the exclusion of polymorphonuclear cells like neutrophils that can’t be included in strategies for volume storages.

Total Volume

This is another factor that impacts the overall cost of cord blood storage. The collected volumes are related to hematopoietic measures of unique quality such as overall nucleated cell count. It is helpful for a bank in deciding units that they can exclude even without any kind of characterization that relates to higher cost.

Apart from these, many other factors such as Mononuclear Cell Count, CD34+, Age of Unit, and others also play a crucial role in determining the cost of blood storage.

Medical device design is not a new market, but due to lots of entrepreneurial ventures and outsourcing, it has outgrown other major markets. Every hospital, nursing home, or even a house might have some medical appliance that was made by a medical device designer firm.

The two things you must remember before designing a medical device or hiring a medical device designer is- The market value of the product and any intellectual property regulations associated with it. Not valuing these points might land you and your product in deep losses.

What is Medical device design?

Medical device design is the process through which healthcare appliances like machines used at hospitals, software-controlled insulin pumps, an allergic drug vending machine and so on are designed, both internally and externally.

Medical device design confers to all the things which are necessary for a medical device like the software application, hardware (body, wires, screens etc), shape, size, codes and everything you can think of.

Who is a Medical Device Designer?

A Medical Device Designer takes care of all the things necessary to develop a profitable and useful medical device, like mechanically handling and carving the physical aspects of the tool, devising codes and generating software applications for the tool to run on, delving into research, and finding out which products do their customers prefer and lastly taking care of the aesthetics.

The Process for Designing Medical Devices

Let’s get straight to the process, keep in mind this process will just be a general overview that can be understood by a general reader. Different firms might use different processes but the base remains the same.

Here it is:

1. Specification: This is the first step which involves creating lists and mining data for the critical requirements and the aspirational requirements of the medical device. The medical device designer might also look into specific regulations involved while developing and selling the device.

For example, in the US, the FDA approves three classes of medical devices:

a) Class 1: Simple products that carry no risks.

b) Class 2: For complicated products that carry some risks.

c) Class 3: For products with maximum risks and intricate designs.

2) The Concept: This is a rather complicated step. It involves visualization of the design, shape and aesthetics of the product. The medical device designer team might make sketches and storyboards to bring their ideas on paper. You might consider this as the first draft.

3) 3D CAD models: 3D CAD models give a more realistic view of medical device design. They are made after the rough sketches and the complete idea of the design has been confirmed. 3D CAD models are computer generated and give a holistic view of the designer to the medical device designer. 3D CAD models can be printed by 3D printers and can be used for simulations.

4) The Prototype: This is the step when you get to see your product in front of your eyes. The product can be made through different processes depending on the requirements. The general processes are:

. Balloon blowing

. Tipping

. Laser welding

. Injection moulding

. Bonding

. 3D printing

. Film welding

5) Iterations: After the prototype is made, the medical device designers might run several simulations and real-time tests to see if there are any anomalies in the design or can the design be made better.

6) Production: Afte the final prototype has been approved, the product will go for general testing and beta testing. The testing process takes some time and after that, the regular manufacture of the product is done.

Risks associated with Medical Device Design

The medical device designer has to consider many risks before and after designing the product, some of them are:

1) The design process is costly and risky.

2) Whether the product might be successful or not.

3) User-related risks include poor translation of user requirements or unmet user needs/requirements.

4) Internal risks are due to the lack of application of adequate standards to check device performance; poor consideration of the effect of labelling and packaging; or poor communication among device developers, end-users, and marketing.

5) Third party-related sources of risks may include lack of training for end-users; improper or poor assessment of progress by reviewers; and poor planning for regulatory and clinical approvals and tests.

Hope this helps!

The reason for BV is the disruption of the normal levels of healthy vaginal bacteria and the growth of bad bacteria, in many cases the Gardnerella.

How to identify Bacterial vaginosis?

Usually, the condition can be identified by the following symptoms:

• The unusual smell from vaginal discharge than observed under normal circumstances

• Itching, in some patients

• Thick greyish white discharge, different from healthy vaginal discharge

Antibiotics for BV can treat this condition with efficacy to a large extent.

How do doctors identify Bacterial vaginosis?

Doctors may perform one or many of the following depending on the severity of the condition:

• Physical examination by taking a closer view of the vagina and its inners and surroundings

• Insert fingers into the pelvis to examine the root problem

• Suggest laboratory testing of vaginal secretions

• Suggest the testing for pH of vaginal discharge to identify the cause and the type of bacteria that is causing the infection

What are the Antibiotics for BV treatment?

Metronidazole, Clindamycin, Tinidazole are the most used antibiotics for BV. The suggestion of antibiotics varies from patient to patient and severity and type of the infection.

Metronidazole is a tablet or a pill to be taken orally. Doctors also suggest gel based on the same formula for local application. In some patients, this might cause abdominal pain and nausea.

Clindamycin is a local application cream. Doctors might suggest refraining from intercourse during the usage of this cream for better results.

Tinidazole is a pill and can cause stomach upset and nausea as side effects. Doctors suggest refraining from alcohol to alleviate these side effects.

Effects of Bacterial vaginosis in Pregnant women

Various researches have been done on pregnant women and Bacterial vaginosis conditions. The risk of BV is more in pregnant women owing to hormonal changes. However, in severe untreated conditions, it may lead to the premature birth or death of the fetus.

Antibiotics for BV when taken under doctors’ guidance helped reduce the risk of late-term miscarriages in pregnant women. Also, there have not many side effects that were observed when antibiotics are taken as per the doctor’s suggestions. Added, there is no conclusive evidence of the impact of antibiotics on a baby’s health in any way.

The efficiency of antibiotics for BV

Depending on the severity of the condition, doctors suggest one or more of the antibiotics mentioned above. In many women, there has been no recurrence after 2 weeks of usage. In some cases, the infection reappeared after a year or so. This gives a conclusion that the condition Bacterial vaginosis cannot be cured permanently however antibiotics can give relief to a larger extent and prevent the occurrence shortly.

Treating sexual partners for Bacterial vaginosis

Studies showed that the chances of spreading Bacterial vaginosis are minimal between a female and a male sexual partner. However, there is a high probability of contracting the infection from one female sexual partner to another.

Side effects of antibiotics for Bacterial vaginosis

Antibiotics such as creams and tablets will not only show the effect on harmful bacteria such as Gardnerella but also impact normal healthy vaginal bacteria too. They kill healthy bacteria that are useful in maintaining the health of the vagina. Pills that treat BV can cause nausea and stomach pain in some patients.

Effect of lactic acid on BV

Some medical experts believe that lactic acid can helps treating bacterial vaginosis faster. However, in general, lactic acid can promote the health of vaginal functioning and help to maintain its normal functionality.

When should you approach a doctor for diagnosing BV?

• Best consult your doctor when you are not during your periods.

• Also, if the date is expected too soon, it might hamper the assessment as discharges shall be more as the menstrual date approaches.

• Importantly, do not use strong deodorants and other chemicals that may hinder the assessment of the condition.

• It is also suggested to refrain from physical intercourse 24 hours before doctor consultation.

Conclusion

Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition in most women. The condition is curable under medical supervision using creams and oral pills. Some women might experience nausea and stomach discomfort during the treatment. Pregnant women should seek immediate medical help at any sight of the symptoms and should never use any medicines without a doctor’s advice.

If you are one of those intending parents who are expecting their child, then your state of mind can be surely understood. You have many things on your platter like choosing the right name, enabling proper medical facilities, buying toys and clothes for the arrival of your little one. There are so many things you are willing to but have you made the most important decision concerning the health of your little one?

The consulting doctors shall suggest a plethora of things like prenatal testing, ultrasounds, blood tests, and blood cord banking. You might just want to put the cord blood and tissue banking to the last list in your worries, but that is not something that you should be doing and should be considering that on your priority list because that is the planning which must take palace before the final stages to keep the mother and child health.

What Is Cord Blood Banking?

In the course of the most recent couple of years, cord blood banking has gotten more mainstream. An ever-increasing number of specialists are making data in regards to the methodology accessible to their pregnant patients. However, choosing if cord blood banking is the correct choice for you and your family is amazingly close to home. There are likewise a few alternatives to consider. You have the option of giving your infant cord blood at no expense. You can store it secretly for a fee. Or then again, you can decide to never really dispose of it.

Moreover, it is essential to perceive that very much like local area or medical clinic blood banks, banks for cord blood are directed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, the FDA has created norms controlling future cord blood assortment and capacity. If you decide to bank your infant’s cord blood, you should be sure you select the right cord blood bank.

The tissue of the umbilical cord, or ‘cord tissue’, is an extra wellspring of important foundational microorganisms.

Your infant’s umbilical cord is made of tissue that secures and protects the veins liable for conveying blood to and from mother and infant during pregnancy. As well as assuming the part of the defender, your child’s umbilical cord tissue is loaded with a few kinds of immature microorganisms, including Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), which are unique about the Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) found in abundance in cord blood.

What is Cord Tissue Banking?

Cord tissue banking permits families to get an extra wellspring of foundational microorganisms that work unexpectedly compared to cord blood undeveloped cells do. Cord tissue banking is the way toward gathering the umbilical cord tissue (after the cord blood has been collected) and cryogenically freezing the foundational microorganisms inside for expected future clinical use.

Regarding cord tissue banking, it’s imperative to see how the umbilical cord tissue is prepared and put away, as it fluctuates among cord tissue services.

How does It work?

Cord blood assortment happens following your infant is conveyed. After cutting and cinching the umbilical cord, the specialist, nurture, or expert uses a needle to draw blood from the umbilical cord vein. Doing this after the line is cut and braced forestalls any torment, distress, or mischief. Likewise, there are no wellbeing chances related to cord blood assortment. The cycle is protected and should be possible after both vaginal and cesarean births.

Cord blood banking is incredibly close to home choice and one just you and your accomplice can make alongside direction from your PCP. To know which option is ideal for you, talk with your primary care physician almost immediately in your pregnancy. Holding up until you are in the conveyance room isn’t suggested because the appropriate assortment of materials may not be accessible. Besides, you will probably have other additional squeezing things at the forefront of your thoughts. However long you teach yourself with the real factors and plan ahead of time, you can settle on the ideal choice.

The blood remaining in the placenta and umbilical cord of a newborn infant is rich in regenerative cells called stem cells. With the rapidly growing awareness about stem cells’ potential to cure several blood, bone, and organ-related diseases and ailments, there is an increasing interest among the new generation parents to store the cord blood and stem cells of their newborns as an emergency reserve. The stem cells are cryopreserved and stored in stem cell banks to be used if a need arises for the baby or close family members to treat certain diseases or conditions.

Cord blood banking is an emergent enterprise that is available under public donation systems or as private reserves. Immediately after the delivery, when the umbilical cord is cut, a needle is inserted into the umbilical cord to collect a certain quantity of blood; the blood is sealed according to guidelines and sent to the related stem cell bank for processing and preservation.

What are the advantages of cord blood banking?

● A gene-based “insurance”

The present studies assert that the stem cells in cryopreserved cord blood remain viable for up to fifteen years. During the period of reservation, the hematopoietic stem cells can be recovered from the cord blood to treat various blood-related diseases, including cancer and anemia. Hematopoietic cells have the ability to differentiate into a range of cells like platelets, RBC, and WBC which makes it compatible with administering regenerative therapies for certain autoimmune disorders that modern medicine hasn’t found the cure for.

The stem cells can be used for the treatment of anyone who is a genetic match (usually close kin like siblings or even absolute strangers). If you donate to a public cord blood bank, the stem cells can be used by anyone who is in need and even for conducting advanced research in the field.

● More versatile in terms of utility

Unlike the stem cells collected from the bone marrow, hematopoietic stem cells can be used to give transplantation to more number of people because the former (bone marrow stem cells) necessitates a closer match in the blood between the donor and the receiver in comparison to hematopoietic stem cells.

In addition, the process of collecting cord blood is painless for both the baby and the mother unlike the process of extracting stem cells from the bone marrow of an adult.

● Different types of cord blood banks

There are mainly three kinds of cord blood banks viz. public cord blood banks, private cord blood banks, and direct cord blood banks. You have the choice to either donate the stem cells or reserve it exclusively for your family.

The limitations of cord blood banking are also worth consideration.

● Necessary arrangements

If you decide to go with cord blood banking, you must sign the necessary consents and make proper arrangements with the hospital and the bank to carry out the process. Last-minute requests to collect cord blood may reveal that the hospital may not be prepared with the necessary kits to complete the process.

In terms of expenses, if you choose private cord blood banking facilities, you are required to pay a relatively hefty fee initially for the processing and then annually for preservation.

● A limited number of stem cells

The number of stem cells in the cord blood is insufficient to support the stem cell transplantation requirements in an adult.
The availability of cord blood stem cells is also directly proportional to the number of people willing to preserve the cord blood. The availability of cord blood stem cells available for public use is dependent on the number of people who opt for public cord blood banking.

● Cost versus purpose

The stem cells from a stranger’s cod blood may serve the purpose just as well as that of a relative’s. The chances of ever using the preserved stem cells in rare unless there is a dominant genetic condition in the family that makes you prone to certain health risks. It is prudent to consider whether investing in cord blood banking is a necessity against the cost you expend on cryopreservation.