Abstract: A pulsatile perfusion bioreactor for culturing one or more engineered blood vessels having a lumen and a wall is provided. The bioreactor includes a chamber for holding the engineered blood vessel and cell culture media; a mechanical property monitoring system for measuring axial tensile stress and strain, circumferential tensile stress and strain, and/or shear stress imparted on the vessel wall; and a pump system for delivering cell culture media through the vessel lumen, wherein the vessel is exposed to a composite pressure waveform and a composite flow waveform as the media is delivered there through. The pump system includes a steady flow and peristaltic pumps. Further, the composite pressure and flow waveforms each include a mean component, a fundamental frequency component, and a second harmonic frequency component. The bioreactor also includes a computer interface for monitoring and adjusting the composite waveforms to maintain a predetermined stress level.

Abstract: A pulsatile perfusion bioreactor for culturing one or more engineered blood vessels having a lumen and a wall is provided. The bioreactor includes a chamber for holding the engineered blood vessel and cell culture media; a mechanical property monitoring system for measuring axial tensile stress and strain, circumferential tensile stress and strain, and/or shear stress imparted on the vessel wall; and a pump system for delivering cell culture media through the vessel lumen, wherein the vessel is exposed to a composite pressure waveform and a composite flow waveform as the media is delivered there through. The pump system includes a steady flow and peristaltic pumps. Further, the composite pressure and flow waveforms each include a mean component, a fundamental frequency component, and a second harmonic frequency component. The bioreactor also includes a computer interface for monitoring and adjusting the composite waveforms to maintain a predetermined stress levels.

Abstract: A system for bending a surgical rod including a linear actuator and a rotational actuator is provided. The linear actuator is configured for moving the surgical rod along a linear direction of the system, and the rotational actuator is configured for rotating the surgical rod about the linear direction. A bending mechanism is also provided positioned downstream of the linear and rotational actuators configured for bending the surgical rod. A controller is operably connected to the linear and rotational actuators and the bending mechanism, the controller configured to activate the various components and bend the surgical rod into a desired three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A pulsatile perfusion bioreactor for culturing one or more engineered blood vessels having a lumen and a wall is provided. The bioreactor includes a chamber for holding the engineered blood vessel and cell culture media; a mechanical property monitoring system for measuring axial tensile stress and strain, circumferential tensile stress and strain, and/or shear stress imparted on the vessel wall; and a pump system for delivering cell culture media through the vessel lumen, wherein the vessel is exposed to a composite pressure waveform and a composite flow waveform as the media is delivered there through. The pump system includes a steady flow and peristaltic pumps. Further, the composite pressure and flow waveforms each include a mean component, a fundamental frequency component, and a second harmonic frequency component. The bioreactor also includes a computer interface for monitoring and adjusting the composite waveforms to maintain a predetermined stress levels.

Abstract: A system for bending a surgical rod including a linear actuator and a rotational actuator is provided. The linear actuator is configured for moving the surgical rod along a linear direction of the system, and the rotational actuator is configured for rotating the surgical rod about the linear direction. A bending mechanism is also provided positioned downstream of the linear and rotational actuators configured for bending the surgical rod. A controller is operably connected to the linear and rotational actuators and the bending mechanism, the controller configured to activate the various components and bend the surgical rod into a desired three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A method for embolization treatment was developed in which microspheres with novel properties are administered in a mammal. The microspheres are made using a novel process that results in microspheres with new combined properties of high density, low fracture, high swell capacity, rapid swell, and deformability following swell. These microspheres form occlusions with high durability, withstanding over 100 mm Hg (13.3 kPa) of pressure.