Flow chamber assembly and methods of using the same

A flow chamber assembly for subjecting cells or biological reagents to laminar flow conditions to provide a predetermined level of shear stress to the cells or biological reagents, the flow chamber assembly comprising:

• a bottom plate having at least one well with a bottom surface adapted to receive the cells or biological reagents,
• a top plate having at least one flow protrusion positioned and shaped to fit into the well of the bottom plate,
• a sealing element positioned between the top plate and the bottom plate when the top plate and the bottom plate are attached, and
• a flow path comprising a fluid feeding channel, an inflow bay, a laminar flow section, an outflow bay and a fluid exit channel;
• wherein the fluid feeding channel is connected to the inflow bay formed between a first side of the well and a first side of the flow protrusion when the top plate and the bottom plate are attached,
• the inflow bay is connected to the laminar flow section formed by the lower surface of the flow protrusion and the bottom surface of the well when the top plate and the bottom plate are attached,
• the laminar flow section is connected to the outflow bay formed between a second side wall of the well and a second side of the flow protrusion when the top plate and the bottom plate are attached, and
• the outflow bay is connected to the fluid exit channel such that when a perfusate is added to the flow chamber assembly via the fluid feeding channel the perfusate will flow to the inflow bay, through the laminar flow section and continue flowing out the outflow bay, and through the fluid exit channel,
• the laminar flow section is suitable for subjecting the cells to laminar flow conditions when the top plate is attached to the bottom plate and the flow chamber assembly is in operation.