ProductsLigaGen: Tension Bioreactor Systems

Watch a video of the LigaGen (L30-1) bioreactor.

BISS TGT series bioreactors provide mechanical stimulation to three dimensional tissue engineered constructs to create physiological conditions in-vitro. The LigaGen system imparts axial stress or strain to a ligament or tendon construct. The stress/strain profiles can be defined by the user and can be a simple harmonic (sinusoidal) or a physiological waveform. Applications include the investigation of cell function and differentiation, pharmaceutical benchtop testing, and the seeding and growth of engineered tissues and medical devices. Researchers are currently utilizing these systems in a wide range of research areas including:

• ACL regenerative medicine
• Collagen gel stimulation
• Small diameter tendon stimulation
• Hand tendon and ligament regenerative medicine

Chambers

The LigaGen bioreactor chamber delivers oscillatory axial stimulation to samples with large aspect ratios. The chambers can be used with a variety of construct materials from decellularized tendons and ligaments to polymerized hydrogels. The chamber accommodates samples up to 30mm in length and 3mm thickness. A wide range of construct geometries can be stimulated using multiple grip styles. A flexible bellows seal facilitates the transfer of axial motion into the chamber while maintaining a sterile environment. Single sample and multisample chamber configurations are provided and they can be used with a perfusion system to provide convective media transport around the samples. Fabricated from bioinert materials, the autoclavable chambers also polycarbonate removable windows for easy viewing and laser micrometer measurement. Additional chamber features include:

L30-1C:Single sample chamber with 23ml internal volumeL30-4C:The chamber accommodates either two (2) or four (4) samples and has an 80ml internal volume

 

Grip Options

The types of constructs used in ligament and tendon experiments vary widely and range from decellularized allografts to polymerized hydrogels. In order to handle these varied specimen types, the several options for gripping mechanisms are offered including:

40N Spring Assisted Wedge Action Grips

• Designed specifically to secure your biological tissue for cell culture or characterization.  
  
• The 4.8mm wide wedge shaped grips faces with gentle convolutions will secure slipper biological tissue. 
  
• Accommodates samples up to 3mm thick and 4mm wide, made of passivated stainless steel for full submersion without corrosion.
• Max force: 40N
• Suitable for use in the L30-1 bioreactor chamber

40N Screw Action Grips

• Simple and efficient biological tissue securement. These clamp grips are specifically designed to secure your biological tissue for cell culture or characterization.
• Flat faces with serrated surfaces
• 6mm wide or 10mm wide 
  
• Made with electropolished titanium for full submersion without corrosion
• Max force: 40N
• Suitable for use in the L30-1 or L150-1 bioreactor chamber

In Situ Polymerization Grips

• These grips feature an integrated construct mold and porous grip "face" to enable mechanical stimulation of hydrogel scaffolds
  

 

Bioreactor Stimulator:

The LigaGen bioreactor system includes the TC (tension/compression) mechanical stimulator. Featuring a 40N linear motor, the stimulator is lightweight, compact and incubator compatible. The TC stimulator controls both load and displacement and can be used with any of the LigaGen bioreactor chambers. The stimulator dimensions are as follows:

L30-1X Dimensions:380mm(15")H X 127mm(5")W X 178mm(7")D
Weight 2.9kg (6.5lb)L30-4C Dimensions:330mm(13")H X 102mm(4")W X 102mm(4")D
Weight 2.3kg (5.0lb)Ports:5

 

GrowthWorks® Software & Control:

A fifth generation design, the GrowthWorks Software and Control platform includes advanced capabilities, such as multiple waveform control, data acquisition and multi-motor operation. The intuitive software runs on a Windows® laptop computer and features a simple user interface. User defined stimulation profiles are controlled by the software and are readily monitored using graphical displays. Integrated data acquisition routines capture and record data at user prescribed intervals. The GrowthWorks Software is configurable for running four stimulators while simultaneously monitoring up to 16 transducers, allowing the researcher maximum flexibility.

The GrowthWorks Control Hardware features an embedded Intel CPU, integrated data acquisition and integrated motor drives. Communications between the laptop and control hardware is transmitted over a standard network cable. Primary advantages of the TGT Laptop/Controller approach are reduced physical size and easy upgradability. As future Windows versions or higher performance Laptops become available, either can be replaced without any software or controller changes. This ensures the GrowthWorks control system will be an integral part of your research for many years to come.

GrowthApps Stiffness Measurement & Adaptive Control:

The GrowthApps modules provided added capability to GrowthWorks. The addition of the Stiffness Measurement & Adaptive Control Application enables the system to make real-time measurements of the sample stiffness during culture. Described in U.S. Patent 7,410,792 B2 Instrumented bioreactor with material property measurement capability and process-based adjustment for conditioning tissue engineered medical products., the Application measures the mechanical response of the tissue construct as it is being stimulated and conditioned. The stiffness measurements can be used as guidelines for bench marking progress during culturing or for modifying the stimulation profile. Based upon the measured response, the bioreactor system is then capable of altering the stimulation profile. This technology enables researchers to automatically culture the tendon or ligament from initial seeding to an implantation-ready state with minimal operator intervention.