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Sponsored by Professor Geno Pawlak, Ph.D, and the Experimental Biofluidics Lab at UCSD
Project Background and Objective
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a medical condition characterized by a higher than nominal blood pressure caused by the narrowing and blocking of pulmonary arteries. Ongoing research regarding PAH include studying the effects of biomechanical forces on the endothelial cells that line and cause damage to pulmonary arteries.
UCSD's Experimental Biofluidics Lab, led by Professor Geno Pawlak, wishes to study the effects three biomechanical forces (pressure, shear stress, and cyclical stretching) simultaneously. The objective of this project was to provide them with a device that will help them in their research for the purpose of developing pharmaceuticals to help manage PAH in toddlers and infants with Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs).
Executive Summary
Executive Summary.pdfFinal Design Overview
The final design of the Enclosed Cell Stretcher can apply all of the following 3 biomechanical forces: pressure, shear stress, cyclical stretching. Enclosed within the cell chamber with a pressure seal assembly, flow and pressure can be applied to the cell membrane. In addition, the cell membrane is pinned down on two ends, with one end attached to a slider that can cyclically stretches the membrane driven by a servo motor. The final design of the electronics include controlling the amplitude and frequency of the cyclical stretching, measuring the applied force throughout the cyclical stretching, validating the flow rate with a flow meter, measuring the pressure within the chamber and measuring the temperature of the fluid going through the device.
Final CAD Design and Schematic
Final Prototype Performance
Features and Technical Details
Hele-Shaw flow
Includes 1 Hele-Shaw cell
Holds pressure with low flow
Controls cyclical stretching
Made with biocompatible material with autoclavable components
The device can operate inside an incubator operating at 35 degrees Celsius
Data acquisition of cyclical stretching, pressure, and temperature
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