Cell Pressure Systems
Apply Pressure to Cultured Cells
Why apply pressure?
Cells are constantly exposed to dynamic forces in their natural environments as shear stress, mechanical strain, and hydrostatic pressure. By applying pressure to cultured cells, we can simplify the living condition of cells in order to observe the response to specific stimuli. This offers a simplified model of the complex nature of biological functions.
Simulate Physiological Conditions
The Strex Pressure System applies pneumatic pressure to cultured cells in a CO2 chamber. This allows pressure on your cultured cells that undergo hydraulic pressure to mimic physiological stimuli. This has applications in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, epithelial cells in the bladder, kidneys, intestines, and others.
The Strex cell pressure system can be run in either continuous or cyclic mode. The system includes one pressure chamber, a control box, a regulator, and vacuum tubes. Pressure can range from zero to 250 for our standard model, but we can create custom systems to accommodate higher pressure.
Cell culture plates are placed inside a gas-pressurized chamber connected to pre-mixed gas (gas tank not included), which in turn is placed inside an incubator or under a microscope inside a glass-bottom culture dish.
Vacuum tubing is inserted through a utility port on the incubator as the control box is placed outside. CO2 levels can be monitored with an optional sensor device. The program is fully automated for gas exchange at given intervals to ensure cell viability. Gas exchange occurs by releasing pressure and re-pressurizing the chamber. This gas exchange will occur at specified intervals by the user anywhere from every 5 minutes to every 2 hours.
Research areas include any cell culture that aims to mimic hydraulic pressure in vitro. This has applications in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, epithelial cells in the bladder, kidneys, intestines, just to name a few.
Research papers referencing the use of our pressure system can be found here.
Cell Pressure System Models and Specifications
AGP-1000Â – Standard Pressure Model
System Configuration
Control box, square pressure chamber to accommodate up to 6 multiwell plates or 4 Petri dishes, and pressure regulator.
System Specifications
Settings: Continuous and cyclic mode.
Continuous Pressure: 0- 200 mmHg with 7.6 mmHg incremental settings. The pressure is applied until gas exchange.
Cyclic Pressure: Pressure oscillates between two pressure settings, each between 0- 200 mmHg. The period of oscillation is set by the user between 1-180 minutes.
Internal Dimensions: L 18.5 x W 16.5 x H 11.6 cm
AGP-1000-HPÂ – High-Pressure System
System Configuration
Control box, cylindrical pressure chamber to accommodate up to 3 multiwell plates, and pressure regulator.
System Specifications
Settings: Continuous and cyclic mode.
Continuous Pressure: 0- 450 mmHg with 7.6 mmHg incremental settings. The pressure is applied until gas exchange.
Cyclic Pressure: Pressure oscillates between two pressure settings, each between 0- 450 mmHg. The period of oscillation is set by the user between 1-180 minutes.
Internal Dimensions: 15 cm Internal Diameter X 11.6 cm Height
AGP-2000Â – Dual chamber model for higher throughput
System Configuration
1 Control box, 2 square pressure chambers to accommodate up to 12 multiwell plates or 8 Petri dishes, and pressure regulator.
System Specifications
Settings: Continuous and cyclic mode.
Stimulation Pressure: 0- 200 mmHg with 7.6 mmHg incremental settings.
Internal Dimensions (each chamber): L 18.5 x W 16.5 x H 11.6 cm
AGP-1000-MÂ – Microscope-Mountable Pressure Stimulation System
System Configuration
Control box, pressure regulator, microscope-mountable chamber capable of holding a single glass-bottom culture dish. Can be custom designed to hold up to 6 dishes. Contact us about compatibility.
System Specifications
Settings: Continuous and cyclic mode.
Stimulation Pressure: 0- 200 mmHg with 7.6 mmHg incremental settings. Pressure is applied until gas exchange.
Cyclic Pressure:: Pressure oscillates between two pressure settings, each between 0- 200 mmHg. The period of oscillation is set by the user between 1-180 minutes.
Custom systems are also available by request, including applying pressure and electric stimulation. |
Contact us today to discuss your research and see how we can assist you.