The University of Sinú Elías Bechara Zainúm Sectional Cartagena committed to the visual health of the community in the city, the Department of Bolívar and the country; puts at your disposal the services of the Bank of Corneas and Tissues BCT UNISINU.

The Bank of Corneas and Tissues (BCT) belongs to the Laboratory Management and is articulated with Social Projection and Extension, within the development plan of the University.

We have the Certification of Good Practices in Tissue Banks issued by the National Institute for Drug and Food Surveillance INVIMA 2020 (Required in Resolution 5108 of 2005 of INVIMA and Min Salud); as well as registrations with state entities by rule.

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WHERE WE ARE? 

Our laboratory is located on the sixth floor of the Universidad del Sinú sectional Cartagena at the Santillana Headquarters and has a highly technically demanding infrastructure, in a sufficient area to carry out the wonderful work of tissue preservation and distribution.

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We have qualified personnel in the Medical Department, Technical Coordination, Quality Management and Technician in the health area, with experience in the processes of Tissue Banks.

We have White Areas that comply with environmental standards, for greater safety during tissue procedures and to provide safety for patients receiving grafts.

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EXAMINATIONS AND ANALYSIS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE
TISSUE RECEPTORS

Both the donors and the tissues in the BCT are subjected to analyzes and laboratory tests required by current regulations; compliance with high quality standards, so that the tissues can be safely grafted or transplanted.

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The donor blood tests performed to screen for infectious diseases required are:

  • Eye tissue donor: HIV 1 and 2 – Hepatitis B and C – Syphilis.
  • Amniotic Membrane Donor: the above and additionally Toxoplasma G – Chagas – HTLV I and II and CMV.

 

Culture of ocular tissue smears and/or amniotic membrane fragments Faced with the recent Coronavirus Infection (Sars-Cov-2), we adjust procedures according to the INS requirement, in epidemiological monitoring, ruling out donors who have intermediate or high risk. (Technical guideline for the Donation and Transplant Network related to the Coronavirus SARS -CoV-2, responsible for causing the infection by Coronavirus Covid-19, June 30, 2020, INS).

TISSUE SOURCES

EYE TISSUES

The main sources of Ocular Tissues in our environment are the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences and the IPS Health Service Provider Institutions that generate donors, from where potential donors are reported. (Decree 2493 of 2004 and Law 1805 of 2016).

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AMNIOTIC MEMBRANES

The amniotic membranes come from the generating IPS where pregnant mothers can express their willingness to donate this valuable tissue, immediately after performing their cesarean section and when their baby is born. We currently have an agreement for the Pilot Program for Hospital Donation of Ocular Tissues and Amniotic Membranes with the Cartagena del Mar Clinic, as part of the Donation Management work and to improve the possibility and rate of donation in our city.

In OCULAR TISSUES, the following are performed: Slit lamp examination, Specular Microscopy (endothelial count) and Pachymetry (corneal thickness)

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TISSUES OFFERED BY OUR CORNEA AND TISSUE BANK BCT UNISINU

Currently at BCT Unisinu we Obtain and Preserve for Distribution to the Specialized IPS:

FRESH CORNEA

For transplants or penetrating keratoplasty. EUSOL Preservation Medium

SCLERA

In full cap, half cap or quarter cap. Preserved in alcohol or glycerol.

FROZEN CORNEA

For use in tectonic surgeries or emergency surgeries.

AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE

For use in ocular surface surgeries. Membrane segments of 4cm x 4cm Preserved in Glycerol.

HUMAN TISSUES AND THE FUTURE

 

Currently, research is being carried out on a global level in the development of solutions and new therapies for patients who require transplantation of various tissues; For example, research points to the application of basic and specialized sciences on tissue cultures, use of biosynthetic material and/or tissue substitutes; for the treatment of multiple diseases.

 

The laboratory of the BCT Unisinu Corneas and Tissues Bank, intends to convene the own and external scientific knowledge of the Universities through its graduates, students, professors and researchers and to promote, in the near future, innovation and development in these areas to bring knowledge in advanced emerging therapies to a new level.