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University of California, San Diego
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Sponsored by Dr. Peter Chen, Erik Dorthe (SCORE Lab)
Kaustubh Kanagalekar | Jason Liu | Alexander Haken
Justin Dang | Sheen Shaji
Final Design Overview
Background
The Cellxercise machine is a dual-mode mechanical system designed to apply precise tensile and compressive forces to tissue samples within an incubator. Using a SMAC actuator, modular clamps, and a low-friction rail system, the reactor supports long-term cell culture under physiological strain conditions.
Built for sterilizability, modularity, and real-time force feedback, this device offers a cost-effective and versatile alternative to commercial solutions.
For full system details and testing data, click below ⬇️
Musculoskeletal injuries, especially those affecting tendons and the meniscus, are a significant cause of pain and disability. Regenerating these tissues in the lab requires mechanical stimulation that reflects the body’s natural conditions, such as cyclic tension for tendons and compression for meniscus samples.
Commercial systems like the ShellPa Pro are limited to tension-based loading, require costly disposable components, and offer little flexibility for different experimental needs. Their designs also make it difficult to exchange media efficiently or ensure reliable long-term sterilization.
This project introduces a new cell loading machine designed to apply both tensile and compressive forces within an incubator-safe, sterilizable environment. The goal is to create a versatile, cost-effective platform that advances tissue engineering research.
Challenges
In orthopedic tissue engineering, effective in vitro growth of tendon and meniscus cells requires precise mechanical stimulation. Current commercial systems, such as the ShellPa Pro, are only capable of providing tensile forces, limiting their application for studies involving compressive loading, which is critical for meniscus tissue development.
Additionally, these systems rely on expensive proprietary components, such as silicone beds that must be replaced after each experiment. The process of changing samples and refilling nutrient media is inefficient, prone to contamination, and not easily adaptable to different tissue types.
These limitations hinder research progress, increase operational costs, and reduce experimental reliability. A more versatile, cost-effective, and incubator-compatible solution is necessary to support long-term, dual-mode mechanical stimulation for musculoskeletal tissue research.
Objective
The primary goal of our project is to develop a dual-mode cell loading machine capable of applying both tensile and compressive loading to tissue samples in an incubator environment. The system must support long-term experiments under controlled strain, facilitate easy nutrient exchange, and ensure biocompatibility and sterilization for reliable tissue engineering research.
Device Primary Requirements
Capable of applying both tensile and compressive forces up to 20 N.
Supports 10% strain cycles at 1 Hz frequency.
Operates continuously in 37°C and high-humidity incubator conditions.
Design Secondary Requirements (User Needs)
Modular clamp system adaptable for different tissue geometries.
Made of sterilizable and biocompatible materials such as anodized aluminum and stainless steel.
Allows easy disassembly for nutrient media replacement and system cleaning.
Product Video
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