The AMBROSE approach and cycle of care is personalized towards each patient’s goals of improved function, symptoms and quality of life. AMBROSE Cell Therapy is a same-day, outpatient procedure which includes tissue harvesting, cell preparation and a cell delivery strategy uniquely developed with the patient’s goals in mind.

Step 1

All AMBROSE patient treatment plans begin with a mini-liposuction (approximately 20 ounces), using an innovative water-jet fat harvesting technology. Fat cells are gently detached from the connective tissue by means of a fan-shaped pulsating water jet and simultaneous aspiration.

Thanks to the gentle effect of the water-jet, the surrounding tissue, nerves and vascular structures remain virtually undamaged. This minimizes the risks involved with liposuction, improves the result and shortens the patient’s recovery.

Step 2

Approximately 15 ounces of lipoaspirate are processed in the Celution^™ System in a little over two hours. Celution is approved in over 40 countries internationally as well as for 9 ongoing or completed FDA-approved trials. Over 25 human studies using Celution-processed ADRCs have been reported in the medical literature for a variety of conditions including chronic wounds, post-cancer treatment side effects, congestive heart failure (CHF), cirrhosis of the liver, erectile dysfunction and others.

Step 3

The remaining lipoaspirate (approximately 5 ounces), is “purified” through the PureGraft™ filtration system. PureGraft removes red blood cells, lipids from damaged adipocytes and debris from the lipoaspirate. Next, 120 ccs of blood are drawn and spun in the Emcyte Pure PRP™ system, a high concentration platelet rich plasma (PRP). Due to its stimulating effect on stem cells, PRP is mixed with the purified fat before direct injections. The primary goal of enriching the purified fat with PRP is to get these powerful cells to work harder and faster.[1]

Step 4

While the Celution system liberates the ADRCs from the lipoaspirate, the PRP-enriched Pure Fat is injected under real-time ultrasound (US) guidance into the Functional Spine Unit (FSU) and/or the Functional Joint Unit (FJU).  The FSU is a complex anatomy including the bones, discs, joints, muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments and vasculature that comprise and support our spine.

Likewise, the FJU includes the bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, tendons, vasculature etc. of the joint.

Under ultrasound guidance, the AMBROSE medical team visually confirms and addresses with direct injections, each structure that contributes to pain and lost function. Each has a connection to the others and provides a comprehensive approach to rescue the entire FSU or FJU unit.

Neuropathies

Local nerve pain (neuropathy) is also addressed by injecting on the sides of the neurovascular bundles (perineural) under ultrasound guidance.

Step 5

Finally, your ADRCs are delivered at the bedside via intravenous (IV) infusion. When a patient has a neurologic complaint, a low dose of mannitol (a sugar alcohol) is delivered IV prior to the stem cell infusion. Mannitol temporarily opens up the blood brain barrier so that a significantly higher percentage of cells can safely migrate into the brain to address the neuroinflammation and cascade of degenerative effects that can result from it.^[2]

Biodistribution and anatomical studies have also established the lymphatics vessels—which parallel the vascular system—as a route that stem cells may migrate through to bypass the blood-brain-barrier.[3] [4]

Continuing the Cycle of Care

Following a period of observation and recovery, patients return home to rest with a caregiver or family member. In the weeks and months that follow, the AMBROSE cycle of care continues with regular follow-up and health coaching geared towards helping our patients optimize lifestyle habits which support maximum benefit from cell therapy.

[1] M Tobita et al Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells and platelet-rich plasma: stem cell transplantation methods that enhance stemness Stem Cell Research & Therapy (2015) 6:215

[2]  C.V. Borlongan et al Permeating the Blood Brain Barrier and Abrogating the Inflammation in Stroke: Implications for Stroke Therapy Curr Pharm Des. 2012; 18(25): 3670–3676.

[3] J. Leibacher and R. Henschler Biodistribution, migration and homing of systemically applied mesenchymal stem/stromal cells Stem Cell Therapy and Research 2016; 7: 7.

[4] M. Absthina et al Human and nonhuman primate meninges harbor lymphatic vessels that can be visualized noninvasively by MRI eLife 2017;6: e 29738.