Microfluidic System with four Fluidic Units for long-term cell culture under flow to mimic physiologic conditions

Simulating In Vivo Conditions for Cell Cultivation Under Flow

To replicate physiological conditions, cells can be cultivated under unidirectional laminar flow, simulating the dynamic environment found in vivo. This approach is particularly useful for vascular endothelial cells, which naturally experience fluid movement within blood vessels.

Impact of Shear Stress on Cells

Many cell types, including endothelial cells, are exposed to moving fluids. The resulting shear stress—a mechanical force exerted by fluid flow—plays a crucial role in regulating:

• Cellular physiology

• Structural properties

• Functional behavior

System Capabilities

• Includes four Fluidic Units to enable parallel flow experiments.

The Principle of the ibidi Pump System

System Overview

The ibidi Pump System consists of two main components: the ibidi Pump and the Fluidic Unit.

The ibidi Pump is an air pressure generator that is computer-controlled and designed to sit outside the incubator. While inside the incubator, the Fluidic Unit performs the valve-switching operations on the Perfusion Set (fluidic reservoirs and tubing) to generate unidirectional flow in a channel slide. The standardized Luer connectors make the system compatible with any flow or channel slide. The ibidi Pump connects to the Fluidic Unit with an electrical cable and air pressure tubing. The Pump Control Software gives the ability to automatically program complex flow patterns, including calculating the shear stress acting on the cells.