Exposure Principles

When using the Continuous Flow Exposure Systems, cell cultures are exposed to a continuous flow of gases, complex mixtures or particles. Only this exposure principle is suitable for aerosols containing a gas and particle phase.

The advantage of this method is a longer exposure duration. In the VITROCELL^® standard systems exposure durations are normally up to 6 hours, whereas the VITROCELL^® Automated Exposure Stations make exposures for 24 hours possible.

Continuous Flow Exposure is used for gases, chemicals or materials which are available in larger quantitities (several g) under a constant delivery. When scarce and very expensive materials need to tested, this method is less suitable. We recommend in these cases Single Droplet Sedimentation or Dry Powder Systems.

Single Droplet Sedimenation Systems

Single Droplet Sedimenation Systems are specifically designed for dose-controlled and spatially uniform deposition of liquid aerosols on cells. Test substances are chemicals or particles brought into suspension with e.g. PBS.

The aerosol is applied for a short time of approx. 3 – 6 minutes.

This method is well suited for scarce and expensive materials, such as new drug candidates or particle samples from the environment.

Nebulization volumes range from 15 – 300 µl. Aerosolization is performed directy into the cell culture exposure chamber. Aerosolization can be repeated several times to obtain a dose-response profile.

VITROCELL^® Dry Powder Exposure Systems are specially designed for aerosolisation of smallest quantities of dry powders. This method is well suited for scarce and very expensive materials, such as new drug candidates or particle samples from the environment.

Here quantities from 1 – 100 mg can be aerosolized. Aerosolization is performed directy into the cell culture exposure chamber. Aerosolization can be repeated a few times to obtain a dose-response profile.