Introduction

Low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a specific category of ultrasound currently used to accelerate tissue regeneration and to treat bone fractures, chronic wounds and venous ulcers, as well as injuries to tendons, cartilage and other tissues. Nevertheless various therapeutic applications of LIPUS have been demonstrated at the preclinical and clinical level, the interaction underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood. One of the main issues, which constrains further progress in ultrasound therapies, is the inaccurate measurement alongside with the poor control and cognition of the ultrasound dose during stimulation by the cell culture.

The aim of this invention is to provide a biological housing system capable of undergoing highly controlled ultrasonic stimulations, and at the same time to guarantee practicality and simplicity of use, low cost and complete sterility of the biological samples tested.

Technical features

The present invention relates to a cell culture support for controlled ultrasonic stimulation system. The support, considering a single cell culture, includes at least one cell culture chamber characterized by:

• A film, which defines two surfaces of the camera opposite each other, and crossed by the ultrasonic waves;
• A base body, including surfaces to complete the chamber;
• Mechanical constraint to restrain the film to the base body, allowing the film to be tensioned and the chamber to be sealed

The proposed solution uses a polystyrene film, minimizing attenuation of ultrasonic waves issues.

Possible Applications

• Stimulation and / or analysis of cell cultures in 2D structure, in 3D structure with or without the use of scaffolds, ex vivo tissue explants, tissue slices or other similar elements;
• Use in research to perform controlled ultrasonic stimulations.

Advantages

• Accurate measurement and optimal control of ultrasounds incident on cell culture;
• Prevention of unwanted reflections and attenuation of ultrasonic waves;
• Guarantee of sterility of biological samples under stimulation with respect to the external environment;
• Simplicity of manufacturing and assembly, resulting in high practicality and ease of use, and also in reduced purchase and usage costs;
• System flexibility: possibility of using one or more culture chambers.