A computer-regulated bioreactor that uses vacuum pressure to apply cyclic or static strain to cells cultured on flexible-bottomed culture plates (see Fig. 1 below). 

• Analyze biochemical changes in response to strain in cells from muscle, lung, heart, vascular vessels, skin, tendon, ligament, cartilage, and bone.
• Uses vacuum pressure to deform a flexible-bottomed culture plate yielding up to 33% substrate elongation (see table below).
• Applies a defined, controlled, static or cyclic deformation to cells growing in vitro.
• Control of the vacuum pump with the FX-5000™ software.
• Compatible with Windows 7.

Figure 1: Application of equibiaxial strain with the FX-5000™ Tension System to cells plated in the well of a BioFlex® culture plate.

• 101: Loading Stations™. Quantification of Strain on the Membrane Surface
• 109: Using Additional FlexLinks^®
• 110: Tension Baseplate Assembly 
  
• 200: Use of Water Traps and Drying Filter with the FX-5000™ Tension System
• 201: Baseplate and Gasket. Cleaning and Disinfecting  
• 203: Application of Lubricant to Loading Stations™ and Cleaning