Hundreds of thousands of burn victims, diabetic ulcer suffers, and other non-healing wound patients are treated each year.  In reconstructive surgery or burn management, substitution of the skin is often necessary. In addition to traditional approaches such as split or full-thickness skin grafts, tissue flaps and free-tissue transfers, skin tissue engineering in vitro or in vivo has been developing in recent decades. It applies the principles and methods of both engineering and life sciences toward the development of substitues to restore and maintain skin structure and function.

To improve mass transport and nutrient exchange, 3-D in vitro experiments have shown an increase in cell viability and function within media perfused cell-seeded scaffolds compared to static controls [1].  In addition, an air/media interface has been shown to improve co-culture and development of epithelial tissue.

TGT is developing bioreactors that can apply oscillatory tension with an air/media interface.

Tissue Growth Needs:                           TGT DermiGen Solutions:
Convective Nutrient Transport                                       Perfusion Capabilities
Dynamic & Static Tension                                              Stimulator & Mechanical Grips
Air/Media Interface                                                        Unique Chamber Design
Native Physiological Structure & Function                      Biomimetic in vitro Environment

The DermiGen architecture provides a physiologic support system that enhances metabolic conditions for cell growth and maintenance in a 3-D environment. Physiologic force and displacement parameters are feedback-controlled for culture reproductibility.  The flexible hardware and computer control systems allow for the development of a wide variety of automated experimental protocols with varying levels of complexity (frequency, force magnitude and application profile) and can accommodate samples up to 60mm in gauge length.

1. Porter B.D. et al. Biomaterials. 2007. 28(15):2525-33.

Watch a video of the DermiGen Bioreactor.