Abstract: A method of culturing cells or tissue comprises: (a) disposing cells or tissue in the cavity of a deformable cell culture container; and (b) applying synchronized chronic electrical stimulation and stretch to the cells or tissue in the deformable culture cell container, wherein the synchronized chronic electrical stimulation is applied in the form of pulses at a frequency of from 0.010-99 Hz and a duration of from 0.4 to 24 ms; and wherein stretch cycles are applied to the cells or tissue at a frequency of from 0.010 to 15 Hz.

Abstract: A method of culturing cells or tissue comprises: (a) disposing cells or tissue in the cavity of a deformable cell culture container; and (b) applying synchronized chronic electrical stimulation and stretch to the cells or tissue in the deformable culture cell container, wherein the synchronized chronic electrical stimulation is applied in the form of pulses at a frequency of from 0.010-99 Hz and a duration of from 0.4 to 24 ms; and wherein stretch cycles are applied to the cells or tissue at a frequency of from 0.010 to 15 Hz.

Abstract: An apparatus that provides synchronized chronic electrical stimulation and chronic stretch to a cell culture or tissue. The apparatus includes a programmable controller which synchronizes stretch and electrical stimulation applied to a deformable culture container, such as a silicone rubber culture dish. The apparatus is used to treat cells and retard de-differentiation or promote differentiation and maturation in some applications.

Abstract: An apparatus that provides synchronized chronic electrical stimulation and chronic stretch to a cell culture or tissue. The apparatus includes a programmable controller which synchronizes stretch and electrical stimulation applied to a deformable culture container, such as a silicone rubber culture dish. The apparatus is used to treat cells and retard de-differentiation or promote differentiation and maturation in some applications.

Abstract: A myocyte culture pacing apparatus operating in conjunction with a standard culture dish that permits long term maintenance of cultured myocyte cells over a period of several weeks The device includes a base unit for receiving the culture dish, and an electrode unit for placement atop the culture dish which can receive the cover of the culture dish. The electrode unit has a first and a second planar conductive electrodes extending into each well of the culture dish. The electrodes are planar and extend across the width of the well and are connected to electrical connector for connection to an external electronic unit, which supplies the a variety of electrical pulse regimes to pace the myocyte cultures. The electronic unit permits the type, frequency, duration, voltage and the current of the pulses to be varied in accordance with the desired pacing regime.

Abstract: A spectrofluorometry apparatus utilizes dual wavelengths. The dual wavelengths are produced using different wavelength filters and a rotating reflective disk that direct the light to each of the respective filters. The reflective disk contains a notch that allows light to pass through it and two reflective surfaces that reflect light. As the disk rotates, the light is appropriately distributed to the respective filters. The rotation of the reflective disk is synchronized to a video camera that is used to image fluorescence. The camera is designed so that each of the wavelengths are giving alternating video frames.