Stretch Chambers

Stretch chambers are flexible culture dishes developed for inducing mechanical stimulation on cultured cells.

  • High reproducibility: Spring-like PDMS chambers bounce back from stretching and compressing. With their original properties intact. The chambers show good reproducibility in applications that need continuous mechanical stretching over prolonged periods of time.
  • Superior transparency: An optically transparent, ultra-thin (100-200 μm) membrane at the well bottom.  It not only makes stretch chambers compatible with optical microscopy techniques but with fluorescence detection and microscopy as well.

The exceptional physical and chemical properties of the silicone elastomer PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) create a specially flexible thin-membrane chamber.

Uniformity of direction and force are issues of crucial concern in cell stretching.
Stretching systems and chambers with insufficient properties can cause extraneous stretching on the wrong axis and generate a second load in that direction.
Also, these systems may not apply equal stress to all the cells in the chamber. This makes it difficult to accurately gauge the effect of the stretch stimulus across the unevenly treated sample.
The STREX Cell Stretching System is designed to achieve stretching in a single, parallel direction, with only a weak secondary load.
Research has demonstrated that the STREX system enables highly reproducible cyclic stretching over prolonged periods at ratios of 1-20%. (Ref.)
Because the methyl groups align themselves to the surface, the stretch chamber is highly water-repellent, meaning that cells will not adhere without pre-treatment of the chamber.
Thus, the PDMS chamber surface needs to be coated with extracellular matrix to successfully adhere to the culture cells. Fibronectin, collagen, gelatin, and laminin, among others, can be used for this purpose.
STREX offers standard stretch chambers in two sizes, the 4 cm², and 10cm² models. Specialized versions are also available, including multi-well, gel-stretching, and transwell experiment chambers.

Ref. Naruse. K., Yamada T., Sai X.R., Hamaguchi M., Sokabe M. (1998), Pp125FAK is required for stretch dependent morphological response of endothelial cells. Oncogene,17:455-463.

4cc Chamber

SC-0040STB-CH-04

Corresponding models:
ST-1400
ST-0040

Culture area:
2.0 x 2.0 x 1.0 cm

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Real Time Imaging

SC-0022

Corresponding model:
ST-1500

up to 40x magnification

(In order to see at this magnification the motor must be turned off briefly.)

Culture area:
1.0 x 1.0 x 0.02 cm

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Biaxial Stretch Chamber

SC-0042

Corresponding model: ST-1900

Culture area:
2.0 x 2.0 x 1.0 cm

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10cc Chamber

SC-0100

Corresponding models:
ST-1400
ST-0100

Culture area:
3.2 x 3.2 x 1.0 cm

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Three Dimensional Culture

SC-1044

Corresponding models:
ST-1440
ST-0040

 Culture area:

1.0 x 1.0 x 1.0

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Tissue Samples

SC-0060

Corresponding models:
ST-1440
ST-1400

For Pulmonary Tissue

Culture area:
1.0 x 0.6 x 1.0 cm

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SC-0044

Corresponding models:
ST-1400
ST-0100

Culture area:
1.5 x 1.5 x 1.0 cm

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SC-1040

Corresponding models:
ST-1440

 4 microchambers 20 x 20 mm

  Culture volume: 4cc

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SC-0015

Corresponding models:
ST-1440
ST-1400

For Achilles Tendon

Culture area:
1.5 x 1.0 x 1.5 cm

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Custom chambers available, contact us for details.

Coating Protocol

Stretch Chamber Accessories

  • Chamber Hook Assembly

    The chamber hook assembly is an important component of the ST-1400 Stretching System. It is designed to securely hold the cell culture chamber in place during mechanical stimulation experiments. The chamber hook assembly is available for purchase separately from the ST-1400.

    When ordering the chamber hook assembly, it is important to specify the model number to ensure compatibility with your ST-1400 Stretching System.

    The chamber hook assembly is made of high-quality materials to ensure durability and long-lasting use. It is easy to install and use, making it an essential accessory for researchers conducting mechanical stimulation experiments with the ST-1400 Stretching System.

    $363.00

  • Chamber Stand SS-0100

    The SS-0100 Chamber Stand is a versatile accessory for the ST-1400 Stretching System, designed to hold cell culture chambers in a fixed position during mechanical stimulation experiments.

    Specifically, the chamber stand is designed to accommodate cell culture chambers that are 10 cm2 in size. With the ability to accommodate stretch ratios of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20%, you can specify your desired stretch ratio to suit your experimental needs.

    Please specify your desired stretch ratio.

    $187.00

  • Chamber Stand, SS-0040

    The SS-0040 Chamber Stand is a versatile accessory for the ST-1400 Stretching System, designed to hold cell culture chambers in a fixed position during mechanical stimulation experiments.

    Specifically, the chamber stand is designed to accommodate cell culture chambers that are 4 cm2 in size. With the ability to accommodate stretch ratios of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20%, you can specify your desired stretch ratio to suit your experimental needs.

    Please specify your desired stretch ratio.

    $187.00