Patent ID: 6881569
Filing Date: 2005-04-19
Classification: A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for evaluating a structure and function of a tissue-engineered construct under sterile conditions, said apparatus comprising: (a) a base for supporting the tissue-engineered construct, said base including a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port; (b) a main fluid circuit for allowing flow of a fluid media through said housing, said main fluid circuit having an efferent section in fluid communication with said outlet port and an afferent section in fluid communication with said inlet port; (c) pressure means in fluid communication with said main fluid circuit for generating physiologic flow of the fluid media through said main fluid circuit; (d) resistance means in fluid communication with said main fluid circuit for replicating an afterload characteristic, said resistance means positioned distal to the tissue-engineered construct on said efferent section of said main circuit; (e) compressible container placed in fluid communication with said housing for allowing radial movement of the said tissue-engineered construct during the flow of said fluid media through said main fluid circuit; and (f) control means in electronic communication with said pressure means for adjustably controlling the pressure of the fluid media in said main fluid circuit at a level which replicates intraluminal flow, wherein said intraluminal flow of said fluid through said main fluid circuit hemodynamically conditions the tissue-engineered construct prior to in vivo implantation in a ventricular outflow tract.