VITROCELL® Continuous Flow AX12

The Organ-on-Chip Exposure Solution for Gases and Complex Mixtures

In the VITROCELL^® Continuous Flow AX12 the advanced in vitro model is exposed to a continuous flow of gases, complex mixtures or particles. Only this exposure principle is suitable for aerosols in which both gas and particle phase are of relevance. Continuous Flow Exposure is used for gases, chemicals or materials which are available in larger quantities (several g) under a constant delivery. When scarce and very expensive materials need to be tested, this method is less suitable. We recommend in these cases Single Droplet Sedimentation in the Cloud Apha AX12 or Dry Powder Exposure in the Powder AX12 Systems.

Air / Liquid Cultivation and Exposure

A: Direct and controlled exposure of test atmosphere to cells
B: Cells on ultrathin ^AXmembrane
C: Media below cells

1: Inlet well
2: Cell well
3: Outlet well
4: Fluidic chamber

AlveoliX AXLung-on-Chip System

The ^AXLung-on-Chip System allows in vitro modeling in outmost physiological conditions by replicating the essential key features of the lung microenvironment.

Ultrathin, porous, and elastic support for cell growth
Breathing motion
Air/Liquid Interface
3D tissues (multiple co-cultures)

The combination of the breathing-induced cyclic stretch and the optimized ultrathin cell culture substrate (AX membrane) preserves lung cells’ functionality and phenotype. The technology provides answers to fundamental questions about lung biomechanics and cell biology. Furthermore, it is a powerful tool to recreate healthy, diseased, and personalized in vitro models, which can be implemented in drug development to test molecule efficacy and safety, and in toxicity assessment of e. g. pollutants, chemicals and consumer goods. This will hopefully lead to more animal free product development in the future.

^AXLung-on-Chip System components

Aside the AX12, the system is made up of three further components: two pneumatic controllers, AX Breather and AX Exchanger, and the AX Dock which is the interface between these two devices and the AX12.

^AXBreather: The ^AXBreather controls the deflection of the micro-diaphragm inside the AX12, recreating the 3D cyclic breathing motion.
^AXExchanger: The ^AXExchanger enables a fluid flow for initial chip filling and medium exchange by pneumatically controlling the opening and closing of the valves inside the AX12.
^AXDock: The ^AXDock connects the AX12 with the ^AXBreather and the AX Exchanger creating an air-tight sealing for the pneumatic actuation.
AX12: The AX12 is the cell culture consumable and is based on a 96-well plate format. It consists of two chips supported by a plate and includes a total of 12 independent wells.

More about VITROCELL Continuous Flow AX12

System Profile

Gas and Particle Phase Exposure
Suitable for two AlveoliX AX12 Chips
Fully tunable and dynamic models
Connection to AX12 Actuator
Longer exposure durations
Intergrated dilution system

AlveoliX 3D Breathing concept

A nature-inspired concept is used to recreate the breathing motion. The ultrathin ^AXmembrane (blue) is deflected by applying negative pressure inside the basal chip chamber through an integrated micro-diaphragm (grey).