Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for imparting to a living culture of cells biaxial mechanical forces which approximate the mechanical forces to which cells are subjected in vivo. The apparatus includes a displacement applicator which may be actuated to contact and stretch a membrane having a living cell culture mounted thereon. Stretching of the membrane imparts biaxial mechanical forces to the cells. These forces may be uniformly applied to the cells, or they may be selectively non-uniformly applied.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering substances into living cells and tissues includes an impeller of the type adapted to use an explosive charge for sending a macroprojectile through an accelerator passage into a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is divided into an upper vacuum chamber having an impact receiving plate against which the macroprojectile will impact and a lower vacuum chamber in which the biological material to be impregnated by the substance is located. The substance may be carried by a plurality of microprojectiles adhered to the base of the macroprojectile so that upon impact of the macroprojectile against the impact plate in the upper vacuum chamber the microprojectiles carrying the substance will pass through an aperture in the impact plate and enter the biological material.

Abstract: A reusable biosensor is disclosed. A molecule containing a moiety of an antibody-antigen complex and photosensitive polymers are bonded to an optical conduit. When placed in a solution, the presence or absence of a second complementary moiety of an antibody-antigen complex can be determined by sensing whether or not the first moiety is complexed. The first moiety of an antibody-antigen complex can then be regenerated by transmitting light through the optical conduit which alters the structure of the photosensitive polymers to cause interference with said complex, thereby dissociating the second complementary moiety from the first moiety. The ability to regulate and control specific binding has applications can be useful in information storage devices, bioorganic electronic devices, and optical devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of maintaining the viability of animal organs, and in particular human organs, by controlling the storage temperature of the organ and providing the organ with sufficient nutrients and oxygen, while also monitoring and maintaining the organ's transmembrane potential within a predefined range.