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 AXBarrier-on-Chip System

The ^AXBarrier-on-Chip System allows in vitro modeling in outmost physiological conditions by replicating the essential key features of all organs in vitro, including lung, skin and eyes.

Ultrathin, porous, and elastic support for cell growth
Uni- or bidirectional mechanical stretching
Air/Liquid Interface
3D tissues (multiple co-cultures)
Tunable mechanical stimuli

The technology is a powerful tool to recreate healthy, diseased and personalized in vitro models. It provides answers to fundamental questions about biomechanics and cell biology. Furthermore, the method 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 Model

A nature-inspired concept is used to recreate the breathing motion. The ultrathin AXmembrane is deflected by applying negative pressure inside the basal chip chamber through an integrated micro-diaphragm. The combination of the breathing-induced cyclic stretch and the optimized ultrathin cell culture substrate (AXmembrane) preserves lung cells’ functionality and phenotype.

^AXActuator: The ^AXActuator is connected to the second ^AXDock placed in the incubator. It pneumatically controls the movement of the membrane inside the AX12, recreating the cyclic stretch 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 ^AXActuator 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).