High Throughput Mechanical Activation Device for Tissue Engineering

University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a high throughput mechanical activation device designed to provide individualized mechanical stimulation to a large number of samples. This innovative system can fit on a regular 24-well plate or be integrated with a bioreactor system, allowing for the sequential stimulation of 24 wells with precise control over temperature and gas (CO2) conditions. The device is scalable to a 96-well plate format, making it a versatile tool for tissue engineering and related research fields.

Top fig shows a 24-well plate holding six of the guides. Bottom fig shows a cross-sectional side view of the assembled system of device

Description

The high throughput mechanical activation device consists of a lid with 24 pistons that can be placed on top of a standard 24-well plate or integrated with a bioreactor system. The device includes custom guides and a setup to maintain temperature and gas control outside of an incubator, enabling the sequential stimulation of each well. This system allows for individual mechanical activation by compression, providing consistent stimulation across samples of varying heights. The device’s design ensures precise and reproducible mechanical stimulation, which is crucial for tissue engineering applications.

Applications

- Tissue engineering research
- High throughput screening of mechanical stimulation effects
- 3D tissue culture studies
- Development and testing of biomaterials

Advantages

This device offers several advantages, including the ability to provide individualized mechanical stimulation to a high number of samples, scalability to different well plate formats, and integration with existing bioreactor systems. The system ensures consistent and reproducible mechanical activation, which is essential for tissue engineering and related research. Additionally, the device’s ability to maintain temperature and gas control outside of an incubator enhances its versatility and usability in various experimental setups.

Invention Readiness

The prototype of the high throughput mechanical activation device has been developed and tested. The system has demonstrated its capability to provide precise mechanical stimulation to multiple samples simultaneously. Further development and optimization are ongoing to enhance the device’s performance and expand its applications in tissue engineering research.

IP Status

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20200270561A1