Palpator™: Bench-top Tissue Mechanics Analyzer

The Palpator™ is a bench-top tissue mechanics analyzer that automatically measures contractility and stiffness of native or reconstituted 3D tissues. The highly sensitive force detection system reports the physical properties of cell and tissues corresponding to their physiological states (e.g., cellular metabolic states).

Rapid and Easy: In less than 10 seconds the mechanical properties of each sample is measured. Acute- and long- term effects of chemical compounds (e.g., drug candidates and cosmetic products) on 3D tissues are analyzed through easy-to-use

data analysis software.

High Reproducibility: The Palpator™ measures indentation force by stretching each sample. Identically fabricated tissue constructs using IVS’s patented MC-8™ show almost identical response force profiles (red, blue, green, light blue dots) from tissues grown in four different wells.

High Content Analysis: Physiological states of tissues grown in MC-8™ can be monitored via a plate reader using fluorescent probes (e.g., Ca²⁺ and mitochondrial membrane potential). Higher sensitivity of fluorescent assays is observed in 3D model tissues when compared to cultured cells in mono-layer because fluorescent signals are detected and integrated from multiple layers of cells in 3D tissues. The Palpator™ can be operated side-by-side with a plate reader to build a comprehensive high-content-analysis station.

Feature Applications

Palpator™ assays eight engineered tissues (~8 sec for each tissue) in 90 sec and measures cellular contractility and extracellular matrix stiffness for the following applications:

• Cellular contractility (smooth muscle, endothelial, fibroblasts, cardiomyocytes, or cell lines)
• Extracellular matrix stiffness (MMP activity, collagen deposition, tissue remodeling)
• Preload dependent cardiac contractility assay (Frank-Starling mechanism)
• Toxicity determinations (cardiac toxicity, mitochondrial toxicity, cytoskeletal damage)
• Signal transduction studies for regulating cellular contractility
• Long-term (days, weeks, months) efficacy and toxicity testing of small molecules, natural compounds and chemical products.

Technical Specifications