Introduction

In regenerative medicine, cell therapies represent the spearhead for treating chronic degenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, retinopathy, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., Crohn’s disease) and orthopedic diseases (microfractures bone, osteoarthritis). Adipose tissue as a stem cell source is ubiquitously available and has several advantages compared to other sources.

Technical features

The protocols currently used for the isolation of stem cells from adipose tissue (hASC) for autologous or heterologous use are manual, exposed to the operator-dependent variable, and do not always guarantee the repeatability of the results in terms of the amount of isolated stem cells and cellular homogeneity. In addition, current stem cell isolation protocols often involve the use of high amounts of adipose tissue, through sampling methods that often take the form of real minimally invasive surgery. Considering these assumptions, the purpose of the invention is to develop an innovative multi-modular robotic system capable of isolating stem cells from small amounts of adipose tissue (1-2 g) and automating all isolation phases, manipulation, and cellular expansion of fat stem cells in order to make them useful for various clinical applications. This will be directed to the field of regenerative medicine and personalized cell therapy in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Possible Applications

Regenerative medicine for treating chronic degenerative diseases such as:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis,
• Retinopathy, diabetes mellitus,
• Gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., Crohn’s disease)
• Orthopedic diseases (micro-fractures bone, osteoarthritis)

Advantages

• Isolation of human adipose stem cells (hASC) from smaller amounts of adipose tissue;
• Homogeneous isolation of hASCs from adipose tissue;
• Increased isolation efficiency of hASC;
• Greater control of experimental variables;
• Isolation procedure in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).