Myocardial infarction is characterized by the death of cardiomyocytes, the fundamental contractile units of the heart. Due to the cardiomyocyte's physiological importance, a more efficient and economical alternative to manual cell isolation is needed to obtain cells for in vitro studies. We designed a device that automates the teasing and mechanical agitation of heart tissue to obtain isolated cardiomyocytes. Through testing, our device met design goals for cell yield and viability while greatly reducing overall isolation duration and user interaction.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Clinckemaillie, Tom J
• Oshiro, Franco Antonio
• Worthy, Joseph Michael

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042612-144641

Advisor

• Gaudette, Glenn R.

Year

• 2012

Date created

• 2012-04-26

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biomedical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright