AEGiS-PRn: Revolutionary Safety Technology in Tissue Transplants a Reality

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Revolutionary Safety Technology in Tissue Transplants a Reality

PR Newswire - November 10, 1995

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Following three years of development and extensive validation, LifeNet has now implemented a revolutionary new bone processing and cleaning technology which may help to virtually eliminate the possibility of disease transmission through the implantation of processed human bone allografts. "This technology is what we have all been waiting for, to eliminate the risk of disease transmission through the implantation of human tissue," stated Bill Anderson, LifeNet CEO. LifeNet's patented bone cleaning technology called Allowash(TM) is a process which utilizes a combination of biological detergents called surfactants to enhance traditional tissue banking bone processing methods. LifeNet's new Allowash(TM) technology is designed to significantly reduce the amount of bone marrow and lipid components from processed bone thus resulting in dramatically cleaner and safer bone allografts for human transplant.

Allowash(TM) provides an advanced method of bone marrow element solubilization and removal which further serves to eliminate or reduce the already extremely minimal risk of transmission of HIV and other viruses through allograft bone implantation. Traditionally, bone tissue grafts were treated with isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. Allowash(TM) is a supplementary process designed to work in conjunction with alcohols and peroxide to safely remove marrow and lipid elements from processed bone allografts.

Further studies to assess viral and bacterial inactivating and removal qualities of Allowash(TM) are underway and ongoing by LifeNet's Research and Validation Department, Dr. Steven Arnoczky at Michigan State University, and Dr. Paul Feorino at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Feorino's studies are designed to assess the ability of Allowash(TM) to inactivate the HIV and other viruses. Preliminary in vitro studies have demonstrated a significant and effective virucidal action of Allowash(TM) against HIV virus.

Scott Bottenfield, Vice President of LifeNet's Tissue Services Division, says that Allowash(TM) will not change any of the strict donor screening guidelines currently employed by LifeNet. "Allowash(TM) will add an additional measure of safety to our already high standards of processing without compromising any of the osteoinductive or biomechanical qualities of the bone," he says. Application of Allowash(TM) to LifeNet bone grafts for distribution began in May of 1995.

It is estimated that over one half a million people receive a bone "transplant" each year in this country. The safety record of tissue transplants is exemplary with estimates prior to the use of Allowash(TM) stating that the chances of receiving an HIV infected bone graft to be as low as 1 in 2.8 billion. This advanced technology, founded by LifeNet, will effect tissue banking across the country.

LifeNet is the federally designated organ procurement organization for eastern and central Virginia and the largest full-service free-standing tissue bank in the United States.

CONTACT: Doug Wilson, director of public affairs of LifeNet, Norfolk, 800-847-7831, or Richmond, 800-847-7839/ 13:56 EST

Copyright (c) 1995/PR NewsWire. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, PR Newswire, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019.
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