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Figure 1

From: A novel bioreactor system for biaxial mechanical loading enhances the properties of tissue-engineered human cartilage

Figure 1

Mechanical stimulation bioreactor system. (a) Front view depicting the bioreactor stand (anodized in blue) and the removable polycarbonate culture chamber. (b) Close-up view of PTFE pistons lowered into a standard 24-well plate on the actuator-driven sliding platform. (c) Compressive loading is facilitated by actuator-driven PTFE pistons, while the movement of the sliding platform results in shear deformation of hydrogel construct fully immersed in culture media. (d) Top-view of the culture chamber with PTFE bearings and the spring-loaded fastening mechanism used to secure cell culture plates. (e) Culture chamber with front door and removable lid. (f) Representative force-displacement curves recorded with the bioreactor’s 50 N load cell for 10%, 30%, and 50% dynamic compressive strain applied to 6 hydrogel samples (1 Hz) placed in a 24-well plate. (g) Comparison of Young’s moduli of 15% GelMA hydrogels determined using the bioreactor system or an Instron Microtester demonstrating the systems’ capability for mechanical testing (n = 7, p = 0.443).

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