The authors are grateful to Shad Schipke and Daniel Chesser for their assistance with the design and fabrication of the system and Valtresa Myles for assistance with preparing the manuscript.

1.	Tissue Harvest and Preparation
<ol>
<li>Aortic valves should be collected from adult pigs weighing no more than 120 lbs immediately after death.</li>
<li>Wash the valves twice with sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and transport to the laboratory on ice.</li>
<li>All subsequent steps should be performed under sterile conditions.</li>
<li>Ensure that leaflets do not show any sign of degeneration, tearing or calcification. Remove leaflets from the aortic root by cutting 1/3 of the distance from the annulus.</li>
<li>Place leaflets in individual wells of a six well plate and incubate overnight with 3ml Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium supplemented with 1% anti-biotic/anti-mycotic solution and 10% fetal bovine serum at 37&deg;C and 5% CO2.</li>
<li>As an alternative, isolated cells can be seeded into six-well culture plates and used in the pressure device. Isolation of valve endothelial cells and interstitial cells can be performed as previously described13, 14.</li>
</ol>
2.	Pressure Studies
<ol>
<li>A custom-made pressure system has been designed to study the mechanobiological effects of cyclic pressure on aortic valve tissue15.</li>
<li>Log on to the computer and open the labVIEW program (Figure 1).</li>
<li>Calibration:<ol>
<li>Prior to experimentation, the system should be properly calibrated.</li>
<li>Connect the power supply to the circuit board. This provides power to the solenoid valves that control the flow of air into and out of the chamber.</li>
<li>Make sure the compressed air is connected to the system and open the air supply to full velocity.</li>
<li>Turn on the signal amplifier. Make sure the voltage reading is 0.00. Adjust as necessary</li>
<li>The labVIEW interface has a switch marked "TEST/RECORD". Make sure the switch is set to "TEST". Click the button marked "Air Supply" to open the inlet solenoid valve.</li>
<li>Using the gas pressure regulator, pressurize the chamber with compressed air at 1 PSI. The pressure in the chamber can be read using the digital pressure gauge located on the rear end-plate of the chamber. Once the pressure has equilibrated, record the voltage reading from the signal amplifier. Repeat for 2, 3, 4 and 5 PSI.</li>
<li>Construct a calibration curve of pressure vs. voltage. Pressure should be converted from PSI to mmHg. The equation from the graph can be placed into the code of the labVIEW program</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>Remove the aluminum front plate from the pressure chamber and spray the chamber with 70% ethanol. Leave for a minimum of 10 minutes to allow residual ethanol fumes to dissipate.</li>
<li>Place the six-well plate containing the leaflet samples into the chamber and replace the front end plate. Ensure the seal is airtight by tightening the nuts located on the four threaded rods (located at each corner of the end plate) by hand. Place the pressure chamber in the 37&deg;C incubator. A schematic diagram of the pressure chamber is shown in figure 2.</li>
<li>The interface will prompt the user to provide the amount of time the system cycles between compressed air input and output. These should be set to 0.6s and 0.4s to mimic diastolic and systolic conditions, respectively, at a frequency of 1Hz. The user should also enter a data file path.</li>
<li>In labVIEW, click run and switch the "TEST/RECORD" toggle to "RECORD".</li>
<li>Make sure the pressure is at the desired level using the graph on the labVIEW interface. Pressure can be adjusted using the gas pressure regulator.</li>
<li>Run program for desired length of time.</li>
<li>Once the experiment is complete, click the stop button on labVIEW, turn off air supply and open the exhaust valve on the pressure chamber.</li>
<li>Remove the front end plate from the chamber and retrieve six-well plate containing samples. Samples can now be analyzed for gene expression, protein expression, histology, mechanical properties etc.</li>
</ol>
3.	Representative Results: 
The pressure system is capable of simulating the maximum transvalvular pressures observed under normotensive, stage I and stage II hypertensive conditions. However, the pressure was not able to mimic the systolic pressure gradient, which is essentially zero in vivo. Frequency is maintained at 1Hz, with an air inlet time of 0.6s and an exhaust time of 0.4s. Representative pressure waveforms of normal and elevated pressure conditions obtained from the system can be seen in figure 3. 
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/3316/3316fig1.jpg" alt="Figure 1"/> Figure 1: Screen shot of the LabVIEW interface.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/3316/3316fig2.jpg" alt="Figure 2"/> Figure 2: Schematic drawing of the pressure chamber A. Isometric view of pressure chamber; B. Side view of pressure chamber; C. Top view of pressure chamber.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/3316/3316fig3.jpg" alt="Figure 3"/> Figure 3: Graph of pressure simulation within the pressure chamber at (A) normotensive, (B) Stage I hypertensive, and (C) Stage II hypertensive conditions.

<ol>
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K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Design+and+physical+characterization+of+a+synchronous+multivalve+aortic+valve+culture+system.">Design and physical characterization of a synchronous multivalve aortic valve culture system.</a> Ann Biomed Eng. 38, 319-3125 (2010).</li><li>Engelmayr, G. C., Soletti, L., Vigmostad, S. C., Budilarto, S. G., Federspiel, W. J., Chandran, K. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+flex-stretch-flow+bioreactor+for+the+study+of+engineered+heart+valve+tissue+mechanobiology.">A novel flex-stretch-flow bioreactor for the study of engineered heart valve tissue mechanobiology.</a> Ann Biomed Eng. 36, 700-712 (2008).</li><li>Sucosky, P., Padala, M., Elhammali, A., Balachandran, K., Jo, H., Yoganathan, A. 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T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+bioreactor+for+the+controlled+application+of+complex+mechanical+stimuli+for+cartilage+tissue+engineering.">A new bioreactor for the controlled application of complex mechanical stimuli for cartilage tissue engineering.</a> Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 222, 705-715 (2008).</li><li>Wartella, K. A., Wayne, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bioreactor+for+biaxial+mechanical+stimulation+to+tissue+engineered+constructs.">Bioreactor for biaxial mechanical stimulation to tissue engineered constructs.</a> J Biomech Eng. 131, 044501-044501 (2009).</li><li>Wallis, M. C., Yeger, H., Cartwright, L., Shou, Z., Radisic, M., Haig, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Feasibility+study+of+a+novel+urinary+bladder+bioreactor.">Feasibility study of a novel urinary bladder bioreactor.</a> Tissue Eng Part A. 14, 339-348 (2008).</li><li>Butcher, J. T., Nerem, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Valvular+endothelial+cells+regulate+the+phenotype+of+interstitial+cells+in+co-culture:+effects+of+steady+shear+stress.">Valvular endothelial cells regulate the phenotype of interstitial cells in co-culture: effects of steady shear stress.</a> Tissue Eng. 12, 905-915 (2006).</li><li>Metzler, S. A., Pregonero, C. A., Butcher, J. T., Burgess, S. C., Warnock, J. 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No conflicts of interest declared.

The pressure system successfully exposed aortic valve leaflets to cyclic pressures that were representative of diastolic transvalvular pressure. However, it was not able to mimic systolic transvalvular pressure, as the pressure only dropped to 40 mmHg. Transvalvular pressure is the difference between pressure in the ascending aorta and the left ventricle. During diastole, when the valve is closed, the pressure difference is 80mmHg under normotensive conditions and 90 mmHg and 100mmHg in stage I and stage II hypertension,...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<th>Name of the reagent</th>
			<th>Company</th>
			<th>Catalogue number</th>
			<th>Comments (optional)</th>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>D5671</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dulbecco's PBS</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>D5652</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-mycotic/antibiotic solution</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A5955</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum</td>
			<td>ThermoScientific</td>
			<td>SH30070</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Viton diaphragm solenoid valves</td>
			<td>McMaster Carr</td>
			<td>4868K11</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pressure Transducer		</td>
			<td>Omega Engineering, Inc.</td>
			<td>PX302-200GV</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Load cell conditioner		</td>
			<td>Encore Electronics, Inc.</td>
			<td>4025-101</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Data Acquisition (DAQ) Module		</td>
			<td>Measurement Computing</td>
			<td>PMD1608</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

design of a cyclic pressure bioreactor for the ex vivo study of aortic heart valves

The aortic valve, located between the left ventricle and the aorta, allows for unidirectional blood flow, preventing backflow into the ventricle. Aortic valve leaflets are composed of interstitial cells suspended within an extracellular matrix (ECM) and are lined with an endothelial cell monolayer. The valve withstands a harsh, dynamic environment and is constantly exposed to shear, flexion, tension, and compression. Research has shown calcific lesions in diseased valves occur in areas of high mechanical stress as a result of endothelial disruption or interstitial matrix damage1-3. Hence, it is not surprising that epidemiological studies have shown high blood pressure to be a leading risk factor in the onset of aortic valve disease4. 
The only treatment option currently available for valve disease is surgical replacement of the diseased valve with a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve5. Improved understanding of valve biology in response to physical stresses would help elucidate the mechanisms of valve pathogenesis. In turn, this could help in the development of non-invasive therapies such as pharmaceutical intervention or prevention. Several bioreactors have been previously developed to study the mechanobiology of native or engineered heart valves6-9. Pulsatile bioreactors have also been developed to study a range of tissues including cartilage10, bone11 and bladder12. The aim of this work was to develop a cyclic pressure system that could be used to elucidate the biological response of aortic valve leaflets to increased pressure loads. 
The system consisted of an acrylic chamber in which to place samples and produce cyclic pressure, viton diaphragm solenoid valves to control the timing of the pressure cycle, and a computer to control electrical devices. The pressure was monitored using a pressure transducer, and the signal was conditioned using a load cell conditioner. A LabVIEW program regulated the pressure using an analog device to pump compressed air into the system at the appropriate rate. The system mimicked the dynamic transvalvular pressure levels associated with the aortic valve; a saw tooth wave produced a gradual increase in pressure, typical of the transvalvular pressure gradient that is present across the valve during diastole, followed by a sharp pressure drop depicting valve opening in systole. The LabVIEW program allowed users to control the magnitude and frequency of cyclic pressure. The system was able to subject tissue samples to physiological and pathological pressure conditions. This device can be used to increase our understanding of how heart valves respond to changes in the local mechanical environment.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Design of a Cyclic Pressure Bioreactor for the Ex Vivo Study of Aortic Heart Valves at JoVE.com

Design of a Cyclic Pressure Bioreactor for the Ex Vivo Study of Aortic Heart Valves

A cyclic pressure bioreactor capable of subjecting heart valve tissue to physiological and pathological pressure conditions has been designed. A LabVIEW program allows users to control pressure magnitude, amplitude and frequency. This device can be used to study the mechanobiology of heart valve tissue or isolated cells.

Design of a Cyclic Pressure Bioreactor for the Ex Vivo Study of Aortic Heart Valves

The aortic valve, located between the left ventricle and the aorta, allows for unidirectional blood flow, preventing backflow into the ventricle. Aortic ...

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15.7K ビュー.  Mississippi State University. 生理学的および病理学的圧力の条件に心臓弁組織を施すことのできる周期的圧力のバイオリアクターを設計されています。 LabVIEWプログラムは、ユーザーが圧力の大きさ、振幅と周波数を制御することができます。このデバイスは、心臓弁の組織または単離された細胞のmechanobiologyを研究するために使用することができます。

ビデオ: Design of a Cyclic Pressure Bioreactor for the Ex Vivo Study of Aortic Heart Valves

Patient-specific Modeling of the Heart: Estimation of Ventricular Fiber Orientations

Patient-specific simulations of heart (dys)function aimed at personalizing cardiac therapy are hampered by the absence of in vivo imaging technology for clinically acquiring myocardial fiber orientations. The objective of this project was to develop a methodology to estimate cardiac fiber orientations from in vivo images of patient heart geometries. An accurate representation of ventricular geometry and fiber orientations was reconstructed, respectively, from high-resolution ex vivo structural magnetic resonance (MR) and diffusion tensor (DT) MR images of a normal human heart, referred to as the atlas. Ventricular geometry of a patient heart was extracted, via semiautomatic segmentation, from an in vivo computed tomography (CT) image. Using image transformation algorithms, the atlas ventricular geometry was deformed to match that of the patient. Finally, the deformation field was applied to the atlas fiber orientations to obtain an estimate of patient fiber orientations. The accuracy of the fiber estimates was assessed using six normal and three failing canine hearts. The mean absolute difference between inclination angles of acquired and estimated fiber orientations was 15.4 &deg;. Computational simulations of ventricular activation maps and pseudo-ECGs in sinus rhythm and ventricular tachycardia indicated that there are no significant differences between estimated and acquired fiber orientations at a clinically observable level.The new insights obtained from the project will pave the way for the development of patient-specific models of the heart that can aid physicians in personalized diagnosis and decisions regarding electrophysiological interventions.

A methodology to estimate ventricular fiber orientations from in vivo images of patient heart geometries for personalized modeling is described. Validation of the methodology performed using normal and failing canine hearts demonstrate that that there are no significant differences between estimated and acquired fiber orientations at a clinically observable level.

Patient-specific  simulations of heart (dys)function aimed at personalizing cardiac therapy are hampered  by the absence of in vivo imaging technology for ...

Design of a Biaxial Mechanical Loading Bioreactor for Tissue Engineering

We designed a loading device that is capable of applying uniaxial or biaxial mechanical strain to a tissue engineered biocomposites fabricated for transplantation. While the device primarily functions as a bioreactor that mimics the native mechanical strains, it is also outfitted with a load cell for providing force feedback or mechanical testing of the constructs. The device subjects engineered cartilage constructs to biaxial mechanical loading with great precision of loading dose (amplitude and frequency) and is compact enough to fit inside a standard tissue culture incubator. It loads samples directly in a tissue culture plate, and multiple plate sizes are compatible with the system. The device has been designed using components manufactured for precision-guided laser applications. Bi-axial loading is accomplished by two orthogonal stages. The stages have a 50 mm travel range and are driven independently by stepper motor actuators, controlled by a closed-loop stepper motor driver that features micro-stepping capabilities, enabling step sizes of less than 50 nm. A polysulfone loading platen is coupled to the bi-axial moving platform. Movements of the stages are controlled by Thor-labs Advanced Positioning Technology (APT) software. The stepper motor driver is used with the software to adjust load parameters of frequency and amplitude of both shear and compression independently and simultaneously. Positional feedback is provided by linear optical encoders that have a bidirectional repeatability of 0.1 &mu;m and a resolution of 20 nm, translating to a positional accuracy of less than 3 &mu;m over the full 50 mm of travel. These encoders provide the necessary position feedback to the drive electronics to ensure true nanopositioning capabilities. In order to provide the force feedback to detect contact and evaluate loading responses, a precision miniature load cell is positioned between the loading platen and the moving platform. The load cell has high accuracies of 0.15% to 0.25% full scale.

We designed a novel mechanical loading bioreactor that can apply uniaxial or biaxial mechanical strain to a cartilage biocomposite prior to transplantation into an articular cartilage defect.

We  designed a loading device that is capable of applying uniaxial or biaxial  mechanical strain to a tissue engineered biocomposites fabricated for  ...

Operation of a Benchtop Bioreactor

Fermentation systems are used to provide an optimal growth environment for many different types of cell cultures. The ability afforded by fermentors to carefully control temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen concentrations in particular makes them essential to efficient large scale growth and expression of fermentation products. This video will briefly describe the advantages of the fermentor over the shake flask. It will also identify key components of a typical benchtop fermentation system and give basic instruction on setup of the vessel and calibration of its probes. The viewer will be familiarized with the sterilization process and shown how to inoculate the growth medium in the vessel with culture. Basic concepts of operation, sampling, and harvesting will also be demonstrated. Simple data analysis and system cleanup will also be discussed.

Fermentors are used to increase culture yield and productivity of bioengineered cells. After screening multiple microbial or animal cell culture candidates in shake flasks, the next logical step is to increase the selected culture&#x2019;s biomass with the fermentor. This video demonstrates the setup and operation of a typical benchtop bioreactor system.

Fermentation systems are used to provide an optimal growth environment for many different types of cell cultures. The ability afforded by fermentors to ...

Characterization of Complex Systems Using the Design of Experiments Approach: Transient Protein Expression in Tobacco as a Case Study

Plants provide multiple benefits for the production of biopharmaceuticals including low costs, scalability, and safety. Transient expression offers the additional advantage of short development and production times, but expression levels can vary significantly between batches thus giving rise to regulatory concerns in the context of good manufacturing practice. We used a design of experiments (DoE) approach to determine the impact of major factors such as regulatory elements in the expression construct, plant growth and development parameters, and the incubation conditions during expression, on the variability of expression between batches. We tested plants expressing a model anti-HIV monoclonal antibody (2G12) and a fluorescent marker protein (DsRed). We discuss the rationale for selecting certain properties of the model and identify its potential limitations. The general approach can easily be transferred to other problems because the principles of the model are broadly applicable: knowledge-based parameter selection, complexity reduction by splitting the initial problem into smaller modules, software-guided setup of optimal experiment combinations and step-wise design augmentation. Therefore, the methodology is not only useful for characterizing protein expression in plants but also for the investigation of other complex systems lacking a mechanistic description. The predictive equations describing the interconnectivity between parameters can be used to establish mechanistic models for other complex systems.

We describe a design of experiments approach that can be used to determine and model the influence of transgene regulatory elements, plant growth and development parameters, and incubation conditions on the transient expression of monoclonal antibodies and reporter proteins in plants.

Plants provide multiple benefits for the production of biopharmaceuticals including low costs, scalability, and safety. Transient expression offers the ...

Anatomically Realistic Neonatal Heart Model for Use in Neonatal Patient Simulators

Neonatal patient simulators (NPS) are artificial patient surrogates used in the context of medical simulation training. Neonatologists and nursing staff practice clinical interventions such as chest compressions to ensure patient survival in the case of bradycardia or cardiac arrest. The simulators used currently are of low physical fidelity and therefore cannot provide qualitative insight into the procedure of chest compressions. The embedding of an anatomically realistic heart model in future simulators enables the detection of cardiac output generated during chest compressions; this can provide clinicians with an output parameter, which can deepen the understanding of the effect of the compressions in relation to the amount of blood flow generated. Before this monitoring can be achieved, an anatomically realistic heart model must be created containing: two atria, two ventricles, four heart valves, pulmonary veins and arteries, and systemic veins and arteries. This protocol describes the procedure for creating such a functional artificial neonatal heart model by utilizing a combination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 3D printing, and casting in the form of cold injection molding. Using this method with flexible 3D printed inner molds in the injection molding process, an anatomically realistic heart model can be obtained.

This protocol describes a procedure for creating functional artificial neonatal heart models by utilizing a combination of magnetic resonance imaging, 3D printing, and injection molding. The purpose of these models is for integration into the next generation of neonatal patient simulators and as a tool for physiological and anatomical studies.

Neonatal patient simulators (NPS) are artificial patient surrogates used in the context of medical simulation training. Neonatologists and nursing staff ...

Light-sheet Fluorescence Microscopy for the Study of the Murine Heart

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy has been widely used for rapid image acquisition with a high axial resolution from micrometer to millimeter scale. Traditional light-sheet techniques involve the use of a single illumination beam directed orthogonally at sample tissue. Images of large samples that are produced using a single illumination beam contain stripes or artifacts and suffer from a reduced resolution due to the scattering and absorption of light by the tissue. This study uses a dual-sided illumination beam and a simplified CLARITY optical clearing technique for the murine heart. These techniques allow for deeper imaging by removing lipids from the heart and produce a large field of imaging, greater than 10 x 10 x 10 mm3. As a result, this strategy enables us to quantify the ventricular dimensions, track the cardiac lineage, and localize the spatial distribution of cardiac-specific proteins and ion-channels from the post-natal to adult mouse hearts with sufficient contrast and resolution.

This study uses a dual-sided illumination light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) technique combined with optical clearing to study the murine heart.

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy has been widely used for rapid image acquisition with a high axial resolution from micrometer to millimeter scale. ...

A New Ex Vivo Model for the Evaluation of Endoscopic Submucosal Injection Material Performance

Increasing the performance of submucosal injection materials (SIMs) is important for endoscopic therapy of early gastrointestinal cancer. It is essential to establish an ex vivo model that can evaluate SIM performance accurately, for developing high-performance SIMs. In our previous study, we developed a new ex vivo model that can be used to evaluate the performance of various SIMs in detail by applying constant tension to the specimen&#39;s ends. We also confirmed that the proposed new ex vivo model allows accurate submucosal elevation height (SEH) measurement under uniform conditions and detailed comparisons of the performances of various types of SIMs. Here, we describe the new ex vivo model and explain the detailed setup methodology of this model. Since all parts of the new model were easy to obtain, the setup of the new model could be completed quickly. SEH of various SIMs could be measured more accurately by using the new model. The critical factor that determines SIM performance can be identified using the new model. SIM development speed will drastically increase after the factor has been identified.

A New Ex Vivo Model for the Evaluation of Endoscopic Submucosal Injection Material Performance

We developed a new ex vivo model that applies constant tension to the porcine gastric specimen. This development made it possible to evaluate the performance (the height and duration of the submucosal elevation) of various SIMs accurately.&#160; The detailed setup methodology of this new model is explained.

Increasing the performance of submucosal injection materials (SIMs) is important for endoscopic therapy of early gastrointestinal cancer. It is essential ...

Biaxial Mechanical Characterizations of Atrioventricular Heart Valves

Extensive biaxial mechanical testing of the atrioventricular heart valve leaflets can be utilized to derive&#160;optimal parameters used in constitutive models, which provide a mathematical representation of the mechanical function of those structures. This presented biaxial mechanical testing protocol involves (i) tissue acquisition, (ii) the preparation of tissue specimens, (iii) biaxial mechanical testing, and (iv) postprocessing of the acquired data. First, tissue acquisition requires obtaining porcine or ovine hearts from a local Food and Drug Administration-approved abattoir for later dissection to retrieve the valve leaflets. Second, tissue preparation requires using tissue specimen cutters on the leaflet tissue to extract a clear zone for testing. Third, biaxial mechanical testing of the leaflet specimen requires the use of a commercial biaxial mechanical tester, which consists of force-controlled, displacement-controlled, and stress-relaxation testing protocols to characterize the leaflet tissue&#39;s mechanical properties. Finally, post-processing requires the use of data image correlation techniques and force and displacement readings to summarize the tissue&#39;s mechanical behaviors in response to external loading. In general, results from biaxial testing demonstrate that the leaflet tissues yield a nonlinear, anisotropic mechanical response. The presented biaxial testing procedure is advantageous to other methods since the method presented here allows for a more comprehensive characterization of the valve leaflet tissue under one unified testing scheme, as opposed to separate testing protocols on different tissue specimens. The proposed testing method has its limitations in that shear stress is potentially present in the tissue sample. However, any potential shear is presumed negligible.

This protocol involves characterizations of atrioventricular valve leaflets with force-controlled, displacement-controlled, and stress-relaxation biaxial mechanical testing procedures. Results acquired with this protocol can be used for constitutive model development to simulate the mechanical behavior of functioning valves under a finite element simulation framework.

Extensive biaxial mechanical testing of the atrioventricular heart valve leaflets can be utilized to derive&#160;optimal parameters used in constitutive ...

A Friction Testing-Bioreactor Device for Study of Synovial Joint Biomechanics, Mechanobiology, and Physical Regulation

In primary osteoarthritis (OA), normal 'wear and tear' associated with aging inhibits the ability of cartilage to sustain its load-bearing and lubrication functions, fostering a deleterious physical environment. The frictional interactions of articular cartilage and synovium may influence joint homeostasis through tissue level wear and cellular mechanotransduction. To study these mechanical and mechanobiological processes, a device capable of replicating the motion of the joint is described. The friction testing device controls the delivery of reciprocal translating motion and normal load to two contacting biological counterfaces. This study adopts a synovium-on-cartilage configuration, and friction coefficient measurements are presented for tests performed in a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or synovial fluid (SF) bath. The testing was performed for a range of contact stresses, highlighting the lubricating properties of SF under high loads. This friction testing device can be used as a biomimetic bioreactor for studying the physical regulation of living joint tissues in response to applied physiologic loading associated with diarthrodial joint articulation.

The present protocol describes a friction testing device that applies simultaneous reciprocal sliding and normal load to two contacting biological counterfaces.

In primary osteoarthritis (OA), normal 'wear and tear' associated with aging inhibits the ability of cartilage to sustain its load-bearing and lubrication ...

Procurement and Decellularization of Rat Hindlimbs Using an Ex Vivo Perfusion-Based Bioreactor for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation

Patients with severe traumatic injuries and tissue loss require complex surgical reconstruction. Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is an evolving reconstructive avenue for transferring multiple tissues as a composite subunit. Despite the promising nature of VCA, the long-term immunosuppressive requirements are a significant limitation due to the increased risk of malignancies, end-organ toxicity, and opportunistic infections. Tissue engineering of acellular composite scaffolds is a potential alternative in reducing the need for immunosuppression. Herein, the procurement of a rat hindlimb and its subsequent decellularization using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is described. The procurement strategy presented is based upon the common femoral artery. A machine perfusion-based bioreactor system was constructed and used for ex vivo decellularization of the hindlimb. Successful perfusion decellularization was performed, resulting in a white translucent-like appearance of the hindlimb. An intact, perfusable, vascular network throughout the hindlimb was observed. Histological analyses showed the removal of nuclear contents and the preservation of tissue architecture across all tissue compartments.

Procurement and Decellularization of Rat Hindlimbs Using an Ex Vivo Perfusion-Based Bioreactor for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation

We describe the surgical technique and decellularization process for composite rat hindlimbs. Decellularization is conducted using low-concentration sodium dodecyl sulfate through an ex vivo machine perfusion system.

Patients with severe traumatic injuries and tissue loss require complex surgical reconstruction. Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is an ...