The Charlotte-mecklenburg Hospital Authority

Johns Hopkins University

Richard D Peindl

Warren K Ramp

Craig Reed Halberstadt

Melissa Lee McCarthy

James R Boatright

Ellen Jane MacKenzie

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for growing and maintaining cells. A three-dimensional matrix, such as a hydrogel material, is seeded with cells and placed in a bioreactor having two compartments. The matrix is supported between the two compartments by first and second porous materials, which engage opposing surfaces of the matrix. A first media stream having certain properties is propagated through the first compartment, where it contacts one surface of the matrix via the first porous material. A second media stream having different properties is propagated through the second compartment such that it contacts the opposite surface of the matrix via the second porous material. Through migration of each stream at least partially into the matrix, various controlled gradients may be established within the matrix, encouraging growth of the cells. Such gradients include osmotic pressure, oscillating osmotic pressure, hydrostatic pressure, oxygen tension, and/or nutrient gradients.

Bioreactor for cell growth and associated methods

An apparatus for measuring the strength of and for performing physical therapy exercises to strengthen a patient's limb. The device includes a pair of pivot clamps each having a end for connecting the pivot clamps to a solid object such as a physical therapy table or hospital bed. A second end of each pivot clamp adjustably receives a first frame member of a conventional traction or load frame. This arrangement enables rotational and translational movement of the first frame member retained by the pivot clamp relative to each pivot clamp to allow the frame to be positioned in a desired location and orientation relative to the patient's limb to be tested. A second frame member is adjustably connected to the pair of first frame members by a pair of adjustable brackets. A limb engaging member having a force transducer located therein is used to both engage the patient's limb to be tested and to detect a force transmitted between the limb of a patient and the limb engaging member. The force transducer produces an output which is representative of the force produced which may be displayed on a digital panel meter.

Apparatus for exercising and measuring strength of a patient's limb and

A cell culture apparatus includes a substrate, and an inorganic film on the substrate and having a relatively smooth surface for cell growth thereon. Moreover, the relatively smooth surface has a relatively low predetermined surface roughness so that cells grown thereon adhere by chemical adhesion rather than by mechanical interlocking. In other words, the predetermined surface roughness defines surface indentations smaller than a size of corresponding cells to be grown thereon. Accordingly, the interaction between various inorganic materials and cells may be studied based upon chemical adhesion rather than mechanical interlocking. The predetermined surface roughness is preferably less about 10 .mu.m root-mean-square, and more preferably less than about 1 .mu.m root-mean-square. The relatively smooth growth surface is preferably obtained by thermal vacuum evaporation and deposition, followed by annealing of the as-deposited film.

Method of manufacturing a cell culture apparatus from inorganic materials

Cell culture apparatus having smooth surface for cell growth thereon

An apparatus and method for measuring abduction strength of a patient's thumb. The apparatus includes a frame for receiving the patient's hand thereupon in a longitudinal direction, enabling the thumb of the patient to move freely upwardly and downwardly about the joint at the base of the thumb. A thumb engaging means is pivotally mounted to the frame for engaging the patient's thumb assuring the upward and downward movement thereof. The thumb engaging means is pivotal about a transverse axis. A force transducer means is mounted to the thumb engaging means for detecting the force transmitted between the thumb engaging means and the patient's thumb. The force transducer means produces an output representative of the detected force. A display means is provided for displaying the received output.

Growing community of inventors

Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Richard D Peindl