In vitro chamber for human organ tissue samples

A chamber for sustaining tissue samples in vitro for optical microscopic examination comprising:

• a tray assembly including a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion comprising a reservoir chamber for holding nutrient solution, the top portion comprising a well plate having a plurality of wells, each of the wells being adapted to hold a tissue sample and having an opening through the bottom of the well plate, the top portion being removably, but sealingly, mounted to the bottom portion such that the wells are in communication with the reservoir chamber in a manner that allows tissue samples placed in the wells to be contacted by nutrient solution placed in the reservoir chamber;
• a transparent cover positioned over the top portion of the tray assembly and operable in conjunction therewith to contain gases above the wells and prevent contaminants from passing into or out of the wells;
• a heater assembly having a top surface with a high heat transfer capacity for supporting the tray assembly in heat transfer relationship therewith and a planar bottom surface for substantially unimpeded placement on a microscope stage, the heater assembly including a tank for containing a temperature regulating fluid, the tank having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit for circulating the temperature regulating fluid.