bioreactor

bioreactor applies load-controlled cyclic loading to tendon explants to enable physiologically relevant mechanical fatigue testing for studying tendinopathy and fatigue-induced extracellular matrix damage.

Key Features:

• Load-Controlled Cyclic Loading: Implements load control rather than displacement or strain control to more accurately mimic physiological tendon loading conditions.
• Multiple Tendon Explant Capability: Applies cyclic loading to multiple tendon explants simultaneously to increase experimental throughput.
• Validation with Load Cells: Supports an optional load cell for precise measurement and validation of applied loads during fatigue testing while maintaining tissue viability in mouse and rat tendon explants.
• Single Motorized Stage Offloading: Uses offloading weights from a single motorized stage to generate controlled cyclic loads without multiple motorized actuators.

Scientific Applications:

• Tendinopathy Mechanism Studies: Enables investigation of fatigue-induced tendon degeneration and the mechanical contributions to tendinopathy.
• Extracellular Matrix Damage Assessment: Facilitates studies on how specific load regimes produce extracellular matrix damage in tendon tissue.
• Preclinical Rodent Explant Experiments: Supports fatigue testing and viability assessment of mouse and rat tendon explants for translational research.

Methodology:

Controlled cyclic loading is produced by offloading weights from a single motorized stage to apply load-controlled cycles rather than displacement-controlled cycles, with optional load cell measurement for validation during fatigue testing of tendon explants.