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:
• (i) 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;
• (ii) at least one inlet flow channel and at least one outlet flow channel, the inlet and outlet flow channels configured for periodic and/or continuous perfusion of the medium through the bioreactor chamber;
• (iii) an optical port for obtaining measurements and images of the sample contained in the bioreactor chamber;
• and
• (iv) embedded sensors for obtaining measurements of the sample contained in the bioreactor chamber;
• a fluid circuit for controlling delivery of the medium to and from the bioreactor chamber, wherein the fluid circuit includes a reservoir for containing medium and/or biofactors, the reservoir having at least one septum that divides the reservoir into multiple compartments and regulates fluid flow and fluid mixing between the multiple compartments by permitting bidirectional fluid flow and diffusion between the multiple compartments, restricting fluid flow and diffusion to one direction, and inhibiting fluid flow and diffusion between compartments;
• and
• a pre-chamber for biofactor delivery to 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, wherein the fluid circuit includes a reservoir containing medium and/or biofactors, the reservoir having at least one septum that divides the reservoir into multiple compartments and regulates fluid flow and fluid mixing between the multiple compartments by permitting bidirectional fluid flow and diffusion between the multiple compartments, restricting fluid flow and diffusion to one direction, and inhibiting fluid flow and diffusion between compartments;
• periodically and/or continuously perfusing the medium through the bioreactor chamber through the 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,
• wherein the ratio of local medium volume to sample volume is two or less.