Introduction

It is described a bioreactor and the method for generating articular tissues through the combined use of stimuli (e.g. mechanical stimulation and/or fluidodynamic and/or hydrostatic pressure), mimicking the articular microenvironment. The bioreactor is flexible in terms of (i) materials that can be hosted and cultured under physical and functional stimuli, and (ii) physiological stimulations that can be adopted.

Technical features

Different types of bioreactors have been developed for the culture of engineered tissues; they typically manage specific stimuli, while this bioreactor allows to apply different and simultaneous stimuli to the tissues, such as mechanical compression and/or hydrodynamic pressure and/or perfusion, with the aim to mimic the articular niche. The motor and the porous piston allow to set a wide range of stimulation, properly adapted to the applicative target. The chamber of the bioreactor provides high flexibility of use, since materials with different shape, size and chemistry can be hosted and cultured.

A prototype has been realized and validated from a technical and functional point of view. The prototype has been equipped with a software interface for managing the bioreactor in a simplified and automated way.

Possible Applications

• Biomedicine;
• Biotechnologies for the health;
• Composite materials.

Advantages

• Simultaneous application of mechanical and fluidic stimuli;
• Cellular seeding more efficient and spatially uniform due to the perfusion;
• Improved mass transport within the engineered tissue;
• Realistic and biomimetic stimulation of the articular engineered tissue.