Modular, microfluidic, mechanically active bioreactor for 3D, multi-tissue, tissue culture

A bioreactor comprising:

• a shell having an upper opening and an inner space, the inner space having an inner diameter;
• an upper ring;
• a piston;
• and
• an inner body situated within the inner space of the shell, wherein the shell is configured such that the inner body is insertable into the inner space through the upper opening, wherein the inner body includes a one-piece tubular body comprising an upper portion having first perforations and defining an inner upper chamber and a lower portion having second perforations and defining an inner lower chamber, the inner body further comprising a protruding ring positioned outside of the tubular body between the upper and lower portions, wherein:
• the protruding ring has an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the shell, such the protruding ring seals against a radially inner surface of the shell when the inner body is inserted into the inner space through the upper opening;
• the upper portion of the tubular body has an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the shell to create an outer upper chamber between the upper portion of the tubular body, the protruding ring, and the shell, the outer upper chamber being in fluid communication with the inner upper chamber via the perforations in the upper portion of the tubular body;
• and
• the lower portion of the tubular body has an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the shell to create an outer lower chamber between the lower portion of the tubular body, the protruding ring, and the shell, the outer lower chamber being in fluid communication with the inner lower chamber via the perforations in the lower portion of the tubular body;
• wherein the upper ring is positioned adjacent the upper opening of the shell above the inner body such that the upper ring secures the inner body within the shell, the upper ring having a central aperture for the piston, the central aperture having an inner diameter that is about equal to an inner diameter of the upper portion of the tubular body;
• and
• wherein the piston extends through the central aperture and into the inner upper chamber of the tubular body, such that an interface between the piston with the upper ring and the tubular body forms a seal while allowing the piston to reciprocate relative to the inner body.