Instrument for controlling the application of mechanical loads to biological and bicompatible test subjects

• US 5,452,236 A
• Filed: 12/05/1994
• Issued: 09/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Chatillon & Sons, Inc.
• Original Assignee: John Chatillon & Sons, Inc.
• Inventors: Vesecky, Thompson B., Lintilhac, Phillip M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ellis B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIPALA, EDWARD J
• Application Number:
  US08/349,468
• Time in Patent Office: 288 Days
• Field of Search: 364/506, 364/507, 364/508, 364/512, 364/514, 364/550, 364/551.01, 128/774, 73/1 B, 73/760, 73/763, 73/769, 73/788
• US Class Current: 702/130
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/08 for producing artificial tissue or for ex-vivo cultivation of tissue prostheses A61F2/00, grafts A61L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 35/04 Mechanical means, e.g. sonic waves, stretching forces, pressure or shear stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/46 of cellular or enzymatic activity or functionality, e.g. cell viability
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/28 Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Qmounting specimens on microscopic slides G02B21/34; means for supporting the objects or the materials to be analysed in electron microscopes H01J37/20 ; laboratory gas handling apparatus B01L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0016 Tensile or compressive
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0023 Bending
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0042 Pneumatic or hydraulic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0089 Biorheological properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0208 Specific programs of loading, e.g. incremental loading or pre-loading
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0222 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0429 using adhesive bond; Gluing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0617 Electrical or magnetic indicating, recording or sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0676 Force, weight, load, energy, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0682 Spatial dimension, e.g. length, area, angle
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 3/02 Details

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed facilitating the application of forces and measurement of dimensions of a test subject. In one arrangement the test subject is coupled to a forcing frame and controlled forces applied thereto. Force applied to the test subject is measured and controlled. A dimensional characteristic of the test subject, such as growth, is measured by a linear variable differential transformer. The growth measurement data can be used to control the force applied. The transducer module receives force and dimensional data from the forcing frame. The transducer module is a separate, microprocessor-based unit that communicates the test data to a controller unit that controls the application of force to the test subject and receives the test data from the transducer module for force control, storage, and/or communication to the user.

Claims

1. A transducer module for use for interconnecting a Separate digital microprocessor-based controller module and electrically controlled testing provisions used in testing biological and biocompatible test subjects with a forcing frame adapted to apply force to the test subject and measure displacement of forcing frame members corresponding to dimensional change of the test subject, the transducer module being adapted for cooperation with the controller module, which programs control of the operation of the forcing frame, the transducer module comprising:

circuit means for connection with the forcing frame for conditioning signals representative of test data measurements received from the forcing frame,

means for electrically communicating with the digital controller module including a communications means for outputting to the controller module digital electrical representations of test data measured, and

digital electronic processing means connected with the signal conditioning means and the communication means for controlling the outputting of the digital electronic representations, the transducer module being housed separately from the controller unit.

2. The transducer module according to claim 1 wherein the digital electronic processing means comprises a microprocessor and memory, the memory storing programs controlling the outputting of the test data representative signals.

3. The transducer module according to claim 2 wherein the digital electronic processing means is responsive to commands received at the transducer module from the digital controller module via the communications means to pass test data out of the transducer module via the communications means.

4. In a laboratory test instrument system for applying forces to biological and biocompatible test subjects, including a controller module having a stepper motor, pump, a microprocessor and memory for programming the application of forces to the test subjects, and a forcing frame connected to the pump and having fluid driven force exerting means, distance measuring means and force measuring means, the improvement comprising;

a transducer module separately housed and separately locatable from the controller module, the transducer module having a microprocessor and memory, means for receiving distance and force indicative information inputs from the distance measuring means and force measuring means of the forcing frame, means for communicating the distance and force indicative information input from the controller module in digital form, said microprocessor and memory controlling the outputting of the force and dimensional information to the controller.

5. The transducer module according to claim 4 wherein the means for receiving distance and force indicative information inputs includes an LVDT signal conditioner for receiving LVDT linear distance-related signals from the forcing frame and a strain gauge signal conditioner for receiving strain gage force-related signals from the forcing frame.

6. The transducer module according to claim 5, further comprising means for receiving DC power to power the transducer module and interprocessor means for receiving communications from the controller module microprocessor.