Project Overview

The aim of this project is to redesign and reproduce a pre-existing Bioreactor that is specific to the culturing of human vocal fold fibroblasts. The existing design models the vibration of a single vocal fold under tensile stress and provokes the elongation of fibroblasts and the subsequent formation of an extra-cellular matrix, characteristic of vocal fold fibroblasts. Our goal is to improve upon this model by simulating contact between two vibrating vocal folds and potentially finding a better substitute for Tecoflex, because its porosity is non-uniform and the pore size is too large. The bioreactor will be made from a T-flask with elastic vibrators immersed in a buffer, which will function as vocal folds. This device needs to be easily replaced with disposable parts, along with 2 pairs of artificial vocal folds and a capacity to generate (computer controlled) vibrations at a frequency (0-400Hz).

Files

• Mid-Semester Presentation (March 9, 2007)
• Mid-Semester Report (March 14, 2007)
• Product Design Specifications (March 14, 2007)
• Final Poster Presentation (May 8, 2007)
• Final Report (May 9, 2007)

Contact Information

Team Members

• Karen Chen - Team Leader
• Richard Bamberg - Communicator
• Rachel Mosher - BSAC
• Dustin Gardner - BWIG

Advisor and Client

• Prof. Brenda Ogle - Advisor
• Susan Thibeault - Client

Related Projects

• Fall 2007: Bioreactor for Human Vocal Fold Tissue Engineering
• Spring 2007: Bioreactor for tissue engineering