Bioreactor for Biaxial Mechanical Stimulation to Tissue Engineered Constructs

The complex structure and properties of biological tissues as well as their in situ environment often make it difficult to self-heal. A suitable replacement tissue may be created in vitro through tissue engineering approaches and mechanical stimulation of tissue constructs. A new biaxial bioreactor was designed, constructed, and evaluated for the purposes of developing constructs with specific functional characteristics. Once constructed and assembled, the bioreactor was tested for position accuracy and application of strain. Additionally, a tissue construct was tested in the chamber and compared with a nonstimulated construct. Results showed high position accuracy, but some loss between applied strain via grip movement and strain experienced by the scaffold. The tested construct exhibited an increase in cells and matrix deposition in comparison to the nonstimulated construct. This biaxial bioreactor will be useful for mechanically stimulating tissue constructs in two perpendicular directions to create implants for tissues requiring preferred compressive and tensile resistances.