Multi-well mechanical stimulation systems and incubators

Inventors

Marino, Davide • Gottardi, Riccardo • Tuan, Rocky Sung Chi

Assignees

RiMed Foundation • University of Pittsburgh

Abstract

Disclosed mechanical stimulator systems can maintain the sterility of biological samples within a multi-well plate while mechanically stimulating the samples. The systems disclosed herein allow for the individual activation by mechanical compression of a high number of samples at the same time, while maintaining sterility of the samples. The well plates, guides, actuators, pistons, and other components of the disclosed systems can be configured to be contained in or adjacent to an incubator that can control properties such as gas levels and temperature while at the same time allowing for the mechanical actuation of the biological samples.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a system for mechanically stimulating biological samples in wells of a multi-well plate. A plurality of guides is configured to be inserted into the wells, and a plurality of pistons fits into the guides and reciprocates within the guides to provide mechanical stimulation to the biological samples in the wells.

To maintain sterility, the system includes a membrane that passes between supports and the pistons and spans across upper sides of the pistons. The membrane is sized to cover the multi-well plate when the system is applied to the multi-well plate, so the membrane provides a shield to maintain sterility of the biological samples in the wells.

In further embodiments, the membrane includes a plurality of deformed pockets corresponding to locations of the pistons, and the pockets are configured to allow reciprocation of the pistons. Another embodiment includes a lid having holes through which the pistons pass, where the lid is secured to the membrane and covers a top of the multi-well plate to help maintain sterility.

Claims Coverage

The consolidated content shows four inventive features across the independent claims. The claims focus on a multi-well biological stimulation system with guides and reciprocating pistons, a sterility-shielding membrane, deformed membrane pockets to permit piston reciprocation, and a lid with holes secured to the membrane.

The consolidated claims coverage is a multi-well biological stimulation system using guides inserted into wells and reciprocating pistons, combined with sterility-maintaining membrane shielding, with deformed pockets or a hole-containing lid secured to the membrane and, in one claim, supports interfacing with a mechanical actuation mechanism.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications