The TC-3 is a simple and multipurpose cell culture bioreactor designed to provide mechanical stimulation to a variety of samples and tissues. It permits to work with:

• Horizontally and vertically arranged multiple samples
• Immersed and air-liquid interface setups
• Sheet-shaped, rod-shaped and cynlinder-shaped substrates
• Tension and compression axial loading

Intelligent design

The TC-3 bioreactor allows subjecting culture substrates to tension and compression mechanical stimuli. It has been designed taking into account the needs of cell culture researchers, so only the features of tension machines which are basical for the culture of cells have be included in the TC-3.

Among them, the possibility of inspecting the culture by microscopy techniques is of vital importance for the evaluation of culture status. A simple connection system between the culture chambers and the rest of the system has been designed. Thereby, the chamber can be easily removed from the system maintaining a desired deformation state while it is taken to the microscope for visual inspection of the culture.

The TC-3 is compatible with most of the incubators, it is lightweight and all the parts in contact with the culture mediumcan sterilized by autoclaving.

Main Features  

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Versatile chambers allow culture inspection by microscopy techniques

Culture chambers are made of autoclavable materials and can be easily assembled and disassebled. Furthermore, visual inspection of the chambers by microscopy techniques is allowed by a optical grade window glass at the bottom of the chamber.

Three grips models adapting to your sample type

Three different models of interchangeable grips can be used with the TC-3 chambers. They have been designed to adapt to the most different types of samples and loading conditions, so the optimal grip conditions are obtained for plane sheet-shaped, rod-shaped or cylinder-shaped substrates.

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Multiple parallel experiments

Up to three chambers can be actuated simultaneously in the TC-3 bioreactor. The loading conditions will be shared by all the chambers, whereas different culture conditions regarding the culture media may be established for each chamber.

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Horizontal and vertical configurations

The TC-3 can be configured both in horizontal and vertical configurations depending of the type of experiment you want to carry out. Air-liquid interfaces can be obtained with the horizontal configuration for cultures on sheet-like substrates, whereas the vertical configuration is more suitable for tests in which the sample is subjected to compression like, e.g., cultures on cylinder-shaped scaffolds.

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