Cell stretching apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for applying cyclical mechanical stretching forces to living cells, comprisingat lest one elastic, biocompatible membrane capable of receiving a culture of living cells and culture medium for said cells, said membrane being suitable for cells to adhere to and grow upon said membrane;
- clamp means for securing the membrane about its entire periphery within the apparatus;
at least one selectively displaceable applicator means, constructed of a low friction material, for applying a stretching force to said membrane such that the applicator means is a rigid member that applies biaxial strain of the cells growing upon the surface of the membrane, in a uniform or selectively non-uniform profile, said applicator means having a membrane-facing surface with a size slightly less than a shape substantially corresponding to an area of the membrane exposed by the clamp means; and
force generating means for cyclically moving said applicator means to contact and control displacement of said membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for imparting to a living culture of cells biaxial mechanical forces which approximate the mechanical forces to which cells are subjected in vivo. The apparatus includes a displacement applicator which may be actuated to contact and stretch a membrane having a living cell culture mounted thereon. Stretching of the membrane imparts biaxial mechanical forces to the cells. These forces may be uniformly applied to the cells, or they may be selectively non-uniformly applied.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying cyclical mechanical stretching forces to living cells, comprising
at lest one elastic, biocompatible membrane capable of receiving a culture of living cells and culture medium for said cells, said membrane being suitable for cells to adhere to and grow upon said membrane; -
clamp means for securing the membrane about its entire periphery within the apparatus; at least one selectively displaceable applicator means, constructed of a low friction material, for applying a stretching force to said membrane such that the applicator means is a rigid member that applies biaxial strain of the cells growing upon the surface of the membrane, in a uniform or selectively non-uniform profile, said applicator means having a membrane-facing surface with a size slightly less than a shape substantially corresponding to an area of the membrane exposed by the clamp means; and force generating means for cyclically moving said applicator means to contact and control displacement of said membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification