Characteristics of the parallel-plate flow chamber for mechanical stimulation of bone cells under microgravity

Bacabac, R.G.; Smit, T.H.; Heethaar, R.M.; van Loon, J.J.W.A.; Pourquie, M.J.M.B.; Nieuwstadt, F.T.M.; Klein-Nulend, J.

Journal of Gravitational Physiology a Journal of the International Society for Gravitational Physiology 9(1): P181-P182

2002


ISSN/ISBN: 1077-9248
PMID: 19180754
Document Number: 541708
We show the use of a dimensionless parameter alpha h, in properly downscaling a parallel-plate flow chamber system for flow stimulation of bone cells under microgravity. The proper experimental regime for exposing cells to predictable levels of dynamic fluid shear stress requires: 1) alpha h < 2, based on the consequent quasi-parabolic form of the velocity profile in this regime, and 2) fo m<fc, where the critical frequency fc is the upper threshold for this flow regime, m is the highest harmonic mode of the flow, and fo is the fundamental frequency of fluid flow.

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