Storage and Transport Issues for Tissue Engineered Medical Products
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Published:2004
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A prominent barrier to widespread commercialization of tissue engineered medical products (TEMPs) is the development of storage and transport technologies to maintain high product viability and integrity at point of use. Advances in biostabilization and low temperature biology have produced effective preservation technologies for cells and tissues in areas of hypothermic storage, cryopreservation by freezing and vitrification, and anhydrobiotic preservation. Preservation methods are anticipated to progress in step with development of TEMPs and may ultimately influence construct designs, as the final form of these products are determined. However, development of preservation methods is complex and requires optimization of several chemical and biophysical processes to achieve maximal viability and stability. The development of standards for materials and processes used in preserving TEMPs will be integral in ensuring final product quality and integrity pertaining to pre-process treatment, materials and containment systems, preservation processes, storage, transport, restoration and post-process treatment.