Page 27 - librobrevetti2015

impaginato corretto fullone_Layout 1 13/10/15 12.08 Pagina 17 Department of Engineering, ICT and Technologies for Energy and Transport Patent Title Title Bioreactor for engineering articular tissues. Bioreactor for engineering articular tissues. Ref. CNR 10387 Ref. CNR 10387 Assignee(s): CNR CNR Institute: IEIIT Main Inventor: Silvia Scaglione Countries: IT Priority date: 29/01/2015 Abstract Abstract The present invention relates to a bioreactor which couples simultaneously mechanical stimulation The present invention relates to a bioreactor which couples simultaneously mechanical stimulation (compression and/or hydrodynamic pressure) and/or fluid-dynamic stimulation (perfusion) and/or (compression and/or hydrodynamic pressure) and/or fluid dynamic stimulation (perfusion) and/or hydrostatic pressure to engineer articular tissues, mimicking the joint microenvironment. hydrostatic pressure to engineer articular tissues, mimicking the joint microenvironment. Object of the present invention is also a method for the generation of joint tissues, which uses the device Object of the present invention is also a method for the generation of joint tissues, which uses the device here described. here described. In particular, the bioreactor has technical characteristics such as high flexibility in terms of size and shape In particular, the bioreactor has technical characteristics such as high flexibility in terms of size and shape of materials mechanically and functionally tested, as well as high flexibility in the physiological stimuli that of materials mechanically and functionally tested, as well as high flexibility in the physiological stimuli that can be recreated. can be recreated. Background Background To engineer tissues in vitro, specific types of cells are cultured on 3D bioactive scaffolds allowing a cell To engineer tissues in vitro, specific types of cells are cultured on 3D bioactive scaffolds allowing a cell differentiation and 3D tissue regeneration. Besides biochemical stimulation, also mechanical stimuli may differentiation and 3D tissue regeneration. Besides biochemical stimulation, also mechanical stimuli may deeply affect the mechanisms of tissue regeneration. The bioreactors up to now realized allow to automate deeply affect the mechanisms of tissue regeneration. The bioreactors up to now realized allow to automate the process of tissue regeneration, but they often offer the ability to set a single specific physical stimulus. the process of tissue regeneration, but they often offer the ability to set a single specific physical stimulus. Technology Technology The bioreactor chamber has been designed and realized offering high flexibility of use, since it allows to The bioreactor chamber has been designed and realized offering high flexibility of use, since it allows to accommodate materials of different shapes, size and physical-chemical nature. accommodate materials of different shapes, size and physical chemical nature. The motor and the porous piston allow to set a wide range of mechanical and fluid dynamics stimulation The motor and the porous piston allow to set a wide range of mechanical and fluid dynamics stimulation adapted according to the target application. adapted according to the target application. Advantages and Applicatons Advantages and Applications - To couple simultaneously mechanical and fluid dynamic stimulation to construct. To couple simultaneously mechanical and fluid dynamic stimulation to construct. - To implement a perfusion flow that guarantees an efficient and uniform cell seeding within the construct To implement a perfusion flow that guarantees an efficient and uniform cell seeding within the construct with an optimization of the mass transport of nutrients with an optimization of the mass transport of nutrients - To mimic as closely as possible the physiological conditions of the joint niche To mimic as closely as possible the physiological conditions of the joint niche Development stage Development stage Prototype, successfull technical and functional validation. Prototype, successfull technical and functional validation. 17