[A biomechanical system that can apply fluid shear stress to osteoclast-like cells in vitro]

On the basis of the well-established principles and techniques about flow chamber, we have designed and made a kind of parallel plate system to apply steady fluid shear stress to osteoclast-like cells etc. in vitro. Biocompatible rubber and metal clamping apparatus made of aluminium alloy are used to seal the flow chamber without changing its even height designed beforehand. The influence of hydrostatic pressure on cells is minimized by adjusting the glass slide and the fluid surface in the upper reservoir to the same horizontal plane. This system can be used to investigate the responses of osteoclast-like cells etc. to fluid shear force in terms of morphology, physiology or biochemistry.