Parallel-plate flow chamber design for testing bone cell mechanosensitivity under microgravity

Abstract

We show the use of a dimensionless parameter αh, in the precise design of a downscaled parallel-plate flow chamber system for flow stimulation of bone cells under microgravity. The proper experimental regime for exposing cells to predictable levels of dynamic fluid shear stress requires the conditions: 1) αh < 2, based on the consequent quasi-parabolic form of the velocity profile in this regime, and 2) f₀m < f_c , where the criticial frequency f_c is the upper threshold for this flow regime, m is the highest harmonic mode of the flow, and f₀ is the fundamental frequency of fluid flow. Furthermore, this study addressed the nature by which bone cells respond to fluid flow stimulation and found that bone cell activation is dependent on the rate of fluid shear stress.