Anisotropic muscular tissue devices with integrated electrical force readouts
AssigneePresident and Fellows of Harvard College
InventorsKevin Kit Parker, Johan Ulrik Lind, Jennifer Ann Lewis, Joost Johan Vlassak, Hongyan Yuan, Travis Alexander Busbee, Ian Perkins, Christophe Chantre
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Abstract
Embodiments described herein are directed to devices for supporting growth of anisotropic muscle tissue layers and in vitro readout and quantification of force generated by the tissue layers using one or more strain-sensing elements integrated into the device. Embodiments also include multiplexed apparatuses of multiple independent devices, methods of fabricating the devices and apparatuses, and methods of using the devices and apparatuses.
Claims14
A method of measuring a contraction of a muscle tissue, the method comprising:
- providing a muscle tissue layer adhered to an underlying flexible substrate comprising one or more strain-sensitive electrical elements configured to have a change in resistance in response to strain in the flexible substrate;
- providing a stimulus to the muscle tissue layer under conditions such that the muscle tissue layer contracts causing strain in the flexible substrate and in the one or more strain-sensitive electrical elements;
- and
- measuring a change in resistance of the one or more strain-sensitive electrical elements and relating the measured change in resistance to a force exerted on the flexible substrate by contraction of the muscle tissue layer.
A method of measuring a contraction of a muscle tissue, the method comprising:
- providing an actively contractile muscle tissue layer adhered to an underlying flexible substrate comprising one or more strain-sensitive electrical elements configured to have a change in resistance in response to strain in the flexible substrate, wherein the actively contractile muscle tissue layer causes strain in the flexible substrate layer and in the one or more strain-sensitive electrical elements;
- and
- measuring a change in resistance of the one or more strain-sensitive electrical elements and relating the measured change in resistance to a force exerted on the flexible substrate by contraction of the actively contractile muscle tissue layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.