How Flexcell® Cell Stretching Bioreactors Work In Vitro
For more than 30 years, Flexcell® has specialized in designing, developing, and manufacturing products using unique vacuum pressure technology to stretch cells in culture. We have comprehensive knowledge of and experience with developing and manufacturing commercially-viable cell stretching solutions for researchers invested in cellular mechanics, cytomechanics, tissue engineering, drug discovery, orthopaedics, cardiovascular, and pulmonary research, to name a few.
Our unique, pneumatic cell stretching bioreactors use vacuum pressure to enhance your ability to research cellular mechanics by creating in vitro models and 3D tissue constructs within the most optimal simulated in vivo environment for cell proliferation and growth.
Using a pneumatic system of positive and negative pressures instead of a motor-driven system, allows researchers to apply sufficient strain without potential interference from electronic or magnetic fields and vibration. Our Flexcell® cell stretching bioreactors allow researchers to accommodate more growth surface area because the pneumatic vacuum system allows for equal strain across the membrane. Our specialized flexible bottom culture plates are pre-sterilized and pre-coated in a variety of covalently bonded matrix coatings and stiffnesses.
Computer-regulated bioreactor that applies cyclic or static compression to 3D cell-seeded constructs or tissue samples in vitro.
- Positive air pressure used to yield up to 14 lbs of applied force (Min. force resolution of 0.1 lbf)
- In vivo tissue strains and frequencies simulated in 3D constructs or tissue samples from muscle, lung, heart, blood vessels, skin, tendon, ligament, cartilage, and bone
- Samples compressed between a piston and stationary platen using either a BioPress™ culture plate or StagePresser™ microscope device
- Multiple frequencies ranging from 0.01-5.0Hz, amplitude, and waveform changes programmed within one regimen
- Four FlexLink® controllers can be driven with one FX-5000™ Compression System
- Runs on FlexSoft® FX-5000™ software compatible with Windows 7