Cell stretching apparatus

US5217899A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• The General Hospital Corporation · US
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Alan R. Shapiro · Sharon, US
• Martha Gray · Cambridge, US
• Luis A. Melendez · Norwood, US
• Jonathan L. Schaffer · Newton, US
• John D. Wright · New Haven, US
• Jose G. Venegas · Swampscott, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 24, 1990
• Grant date: Jun 8, 1993
• Expiry date: Aug 24, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12M35/04
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

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.