Our Iterative Design Process:

 

 

We are currently working towards the development of a parallel plate perfusion flow chamber that subjects an HUVEC cell culture to shear stress and uni axial tensile strain to aid researchers in the study of the affect of disturbances in cellular mechanical environment on vascular endothelial cells. Based on the design of a parallel plate perfusion flow chamber, our device can be coupled with a peristaltic pump to supply an open flow of DMEM supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum. This model utilizes neodymium magnets as the mechanism that can stretch and therefore supply tensile strain on a 50 micrometer thick PDMS membrane on which the cells are cultured. Cutouts on the bottom of the plexiglass casing provide ‘tracks’ for a casing containing stacked neodymium magnets to slide horizontally and provide tensile strain.

 

Our Design:

3D Model: From above, the exterior of the unit consists of a plexiglass outer casing, , and input and output ports 3mm in diameter to allow for attachment to a peristaltic pump and stainless steel clasps that allow for easy access to the cell culture.  Inside is a cutout where a 3D printed stand supports a 65.4mm long PDMS membrane. On the membrane the cell culture will be a circle with a diameter of 35mm. Below are tracks for the insertion of stacked neodymium magnets to grasp  the magnetic rails to which a 50 micrometer PDMS membrane is attached. The divots in these tracks (shown as red wedges below) allow for the user to stretch the membrane to a desired length where it will stay for the desired time. The wedges allow the magnets to move in the direction that will stretch the membrane, then once the magnet is over the wedge it cannot move back until the use of a button which can allow the release the bilateral hold on the magnets to reduce the tensile strain on the membrane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2D Schematic: A more detailed visual of our design. Dimensions are labelled.

 

Materials:

– Plexiglass casing

-Stainless steel

-PDMS Membrane

-Silicone tubing

-Neodymium magnets

 

Components:

– Clasps for closure

-Input/output ports for peristaltic pump

-3D printed stand for supporting the membrane

– Tracks for sliding the magnets

-PDMS membrane with culture region