Characteristics of the parallel-plate flow chamber for mechanical stimulation of bone cells under microgravity.
We show the use of a dimensionless parameter alpha h, in properly downscaling a parallel-plate flow chamber system for flow stimulation of bone cells under microgravity. The proper experimental regime for exposing cells to predictable levels of dynamic fluid shear stress requires: 1) alpha h < 2, based on the consequent quasi-parabolic form of the velocity profile in this regime, and 2) fo m<fc, where the critical frequency fc is the upper threshold for this flow regime, m is the highest harmonic mode of the flow, and fo is the fundamental frequency of fluid flow.
Bacabac
R G
RG
ACTA-Vrije Universiteit, Dept Oral Cell Biology, Van der Boechorststraat, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. rg.bacabac.ocb.acta@med.vu.nl
Smit
Th H
TH
Heethaar
R M
RM
van Loon
J J W A
JJ
Pourquie
M J M B
MJ
Nieuwstadt
F T M
FT
Klein-Nulend
J
J