Bioreactor Device, and Method and System for Fabricating Tissues in the Bioreactor Device

A system for growing a sample in a bioreactor device, comprising:

• at least one bioreactor chamber including at least one level for containing the sample in less than about 1 mL of local medium, the bioreactor chamber configured to receive a plurality of types of mechanical and electrical stimulation while the sample is contained in the bioreactor chamber;
• a fluid circuit for controlling delivery of the medium to the bioreactor chamber;
• a pre-chamber for biofactor delivery;
• at least one flow channel for distributing the medium to the bioreactor chamber;
• an optical port for obtaining measurements and images of the sample contained in the bioreactor chamber;
• and
• embedded sensors for obtaining measurements of the sample contained in the bioreactor chamber.

A method for growing a sample in a bioreactor device, comprising the steps of:

• inserting the sample in a bioreactor chamber containing less than about 1 mL of local medium, the bioreactor chamber configured to receive a plurality of types of mechanical stimulation while the sample is contained in the bioreactor chamber;
• connecting the bioreactor chamber to a fluid circuit;
• delivering the medium to the bioreactor chamber through at least one flow channel;
• delivering biofactors to the bioreactor chamber;
• stimulating the sample contained in the bioreactor chamber with at least one of mechanical and electrical forces and biofactors;
• and
• obtaining measurements of the sample contained in the bioreactor chamber while simultaneously stimulating the sample with mechanical and electrical forces and biofactors.

A method for monitoring a sample contained in a bioreactor device, comprising the steps of:

• providing the sample in less than about 1 mL of local medium in a bioreactor chamber, the bioreactor chamber being operably connected to a fluid circuit;
• stimulating the sample contained in the bioreactor chamber with at least one of mechanical forces, electrical forces, and biofactors;
• and
• obtaining measurements of the sample contained in the bioreactor chamber while simultaneously stimulating the sample with the at least one of mechanical forces, electrical forces, and biofactors.