Bioreactor for studying the effects of imposed stimuli on cellular activity

Abstract

A bioreactor device for studying the effects of physical, chemical, mechanical and electromagnetic stimuli on the cellular activity. In particular, the device uses a sensorized premixing chamber (), a culture chamber () for observing the development of the cells by a microscope (). Output signals are transmitted to a control unit for amplifying and filtering the signals (), which transmits the treated signals to a computer (). To another control unit () actuating electrovalves (), () and () are connected that adjust the introduction of gas in the premixing chamber. The culture medium is drawn from the premixing chamber () through a duct () and its flow is adjusted by a peristaltic pump (). The culture medium crosses then the culture chamber () and continues its path in a duct (), returning again in the premixing chamber (). At the outlet of the culture chamber () the duct has a sample point () for picking up an amount of culture medium to analyze. Immediately before, along the duct, a temperature sensor is provided () that transmits a signal to the control unit () by an electrical cable ().