Tension & compression chamber

The TC-3 culture chambers have been designed to be compatible with both tension (two types) and compression grips, so the same chamber can be kept while the grips are replace to adapt to the features of each sample.

A transparent lid covers the culture volumen from the top, whereas a wide glass window as been included in the bottom. Moreover than enabling the ocular visual inspection of the sample, the bottom window allows to use microscopy techniques to inspect the status of the culture. Note, however, that this application is limite by the type of scaffold and could only suitable for thin scaffold, like membranes.

All the components of the chambers to be in contact with culture media are autoclavable or disposable.

Compression grips

These grips have been designed to apply compression loads to thick scaffolds. To operate with them, the TC-3 must be configured vertically. Then, the scaffold is placed is inserted in the system and the actuator displaces compressing it to the desired level.

The scaffold or tissues this grips can be applied with are those which are subjected to compression loads in-vivo like, e.g., bone or cartilage.

It is worth noting that the scaffold is not clamped to the grips, so only compresion can be applied on it. 

Rod-like scaffolds grips

These grips have been designed for the application of tension loads on cylindrical-shaped scaffold. The samples would be clamped to the grips and so the TC-3 system can apply the desired deformation on it.

The scaffold or tissues suitable to be loaded with these grips are those which are subjected to tension loads in-vivo and present a high mechanical resistance like, e.g., ligaments and tendoms.

The TC-3 configuration to be used with these grips can be both vertical and horizontal. 

Sheet-like scaffolds grips

Membranes and sheet-shaped scaffolds and samples can be subjected to tension loads. Given their geometry, those samples cannot bear compression loads, so once the samples are campled in the grips, only tension loads will be suitable to be applied on them.

Typical samples to be used with these grips are skin and mebranes. In addition, the design of the culture chamber when used together with these grips allow the user to visually inspect the sample by microscopy techniques.

Also air-liquid interfaces can be obtained with these grips just by partially filling the chamber to the level given by the sample.

The TC-3 system can be operated both in vertical and horizontal configurations, although the air-liquid interface can be only obtain in the horizontal one.