How Does CBRs Process Work?

CBR's Process

  • What is processing?

    The purpose of processing is to separate stem cells from the rest of the cord blood, producing a sample that can be used safely and successfully.

    • CBR processes cord blood without any unnecessary additives.
    • Reducing red blood cells decreases the likelihood of certain complications in future use.
  • What processing technology does CBR use?

    CBR uses AXP® processing technology when separating out the cell concentration rich in stem cells from your family’s cord blood collection for ultimate precision. The AXP AutoXpress® Platform* is FDA-cleared and automated to assist with cGMP (current good manufacturing practice) and cGTP (current good tissue practice) compliance.

    Product Feature

    Benefits to Our Families
    Automated, functionally closed, sterile system for volume reduction of blood components.
    • Ensures consistent sterility & quality
    • Prevents exposure to environmental pathogens common in manual processes
    Consistently provides high recoveries of stem-cell rich MNCs from cord blood.
    • Proven ability to recover 99% of cells — 20% higher than processes using Sepax® and Hespan®
    • Repeatable and consistent process, unlike manual systems
    Quick and accurate data tracking with XpressTRAK® software.
    • Exact measurements at every step of the process prevents human error
    • Fully electronic documentation and quality controls provide complete and accurate records every time

    Having more stem cells for treatment has been shown to improve medical outcomes.


    Additional resources comparing cord blood processing methods


    Reference: Rosenthal J, Brown HL, Harris DT. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2008;14(2). Abstract presented at the 2008 American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) Annual Meeting.


    Reference: Papassavas AC, Gioka V, Chatzistamatiou T, et al. A strategy of splitting individual high volume cord blood units into two half subunits prior to processing increases the recovery of cells and facilitates ex vivo expansion of the infused hematopoietic progenitor cells in adults. Int J Lab Hematol. 2008;30(2):124-132.


    Reference: Kurtzberg J, Cairo MS, Fraser JK, et al. Results of the cord blood transplantation (COBLT) study unrelated donor banking program. Transfusion. 2005;45(6):842-855.

    * AXP and AutoXpress are registered trademarks of ThermoGenesis Corp.
    † All registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
    ‡ XpressTRAK software is a registered trademark of ThermoGenesis Corp.
  • How many cord blood samples has CBR processed and stored?

    CBR has processed and stored more than 875,000 cord blood and cord tissue stem cell units and has helped many families use their stem cells for lifesaving transplants and other therapies. Our long history of experience and proven track record delivers confidence in the quality and dependability of our service.

  • What is red blood cell (or RBC) depletion?

    Red blood cell depletion or reduction is a procedure performed by almost every cord blood bank prior to cryogenic storage. It is the process of removing most of the red blood cells from a cord blood sample before storage.

  • Why do most cord blood banks remove the majority of red blood cells from a cord blood collection before storage?

    Most cord blood banks, including CBR, remove the majority of red blood cells from the sample because they may cause severe complications if the sample is used in a transplant. Red blood cells are not part of the healing stem cell population in your baby’s cord blood, so removing them has little effect on the cells you want to save. CBR’s processing system separates the red blood cells from the lifesaving stem cells. Our published cell recovery rate of 99% is the highest in the industry and based on the cells you want to save.

  • What kinds of complications can occur when red blood cells are NOT removed?

    Cryogenically frozen red blood cells often burst when thawed for use. Jagged red blood cell fragments in a transplant unit may lead to complications such as anemia, jaundice, and shock, if the cord blood is used in treatment.

    Also, keeping the red blood cells requires using more cryopreservative for freezing. Increasing the amount of cryopreservative also increases the likelihood that nausea, vomiting, and side effects to the respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous system can occur.

  • What if I want to delay cord clamping?
  • Where are my baby’s cord blood stem cells stored, and how do I know they are stored safely?

    Your baby’s cord blood will be stored at Cord Blood Registry’s state-of-the-art laboratory and storage facility in Tucson, Arizona, which is one of the safest cities in the nation in terms of risk from hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, winter storms, and tornados. Our 80,000-square-foot laboratory is the largest newborn stem cell bank in the world with some of the most advanced technology in the industry. We currently have the capacity to safely store cord blood for more than 5 million newborns.

    Our processing, quality-control, and quality-assurance metrics are in accordance with FDA Registrations, and we are accredited by the AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) and certified by CLIA (a federal program to ensure quality laboratory testing). CBR’s laboratory technology provides secure, long-term protection for your baby’s stem cells.