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Review
. 2013 Apr;19(2):133-46.
doi: 10.1089/ten.TEB.2012.0295. Epub 2012 Nov 19.

Bioreactor design for tendon/ligament engineering

Tao Wang  1 , Bruce S Gardiner, Zhen Lin, Jonas Rubenson, Thomas B Kirk, Allan Wang, Jiake Xu, David W Smith, David G Lloyd, Ming H Zheng
Affiliations
Review

Bioreactor design for tendon/ligament engineering

Tao Wang et al. Tissue Eng Part B Rev. 2013 Apr.

Abstract

Tendon and ligament injury is a worldwide health problem, but the treatment options remain limited. Tendon and ligament engineering might provide an alternative tissue source for the surgical replacement of injured tendon. A bioreactor provides a controllable environment enabling the systematic study of specific biological, biochemical, and biomechanical requirements to design and manufacture engineered tendon/ligament tissue. Furthermore, the tendon/ligament bioreactor system can provide a suitable culture environment, which mimics the dynamics of the in vivo environment for tendon/ligament maturation. For clinical settings, bioreactors also have the advantages of less-contamination risk, high reproducibility of cell propagation by minimizing manual operation, and a consistent end product. In this review, we identify the key components, design preferences, and criteria that are required for the development of an ideal bioreactor for engineering tendons and ligaments.

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Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Schematic demonstration of connection between different components of tendon/ligament bioreactor system. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/teb
FIG. 2.
FIG. 2.
Stem cell-seeded Collagen sponge deformation during mechanical stimulation. Modified from reference . Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/teb
FIG. 3.
FIG. 3.
Schematic drawings of air exchange through the labyrinth channel in the culture chamber. Modified from reference . Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/teb
FIG. 4.
FIG. 4.
Schematic illustration of an incubator bioreactor system. Suitable temperature, humidity, and CO2 level of the culture medium are maintained by the incubator in the medium reservoir. The medium is circulated by a pump. The waste valve is closed normally, and it will open during medium exchange. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/teb
FIG. 5.
FIG. 5.
Schematic diagram of an independent bioreactor system. Suitable temperature, humidity, and CO2 level of the culture medium are controlled by the environmental chamber. Cold culture medium is pumped to the environmental chamber for heating and then circulated through the culture chamber. The waste valve is closed normally, and it will open during medium exchange. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/teb
FIG. 6.
FIG. 6.
Load cell position in different bioreactor systems. (A) Load cell is located between the actuator and sample clamps. (B) A separate load cell placed at the end of culture chamber system. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/teb
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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