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Cell Microsystems Acquires Fluxion Biosciences to Broaden Cell Analysis Product and Services Portfolio. Read the Press Release

At Fluxion, we’re passionate about delivering cell-based solutions that facilitate the transformation of research discoveries into new ways to diagnose and treat patients. By characterizing molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease, Fluxion’s platforms help bridge the translational medicine gap, enabling rapid advances in disease research, drug discovery, and the development of diagnostic tests.

Medical Device Infections

and clinical biofilm treatment

Medical devices such as indwelling catheters present special challenges in microbial infection, since the devices are kept in place for extended periods. Many implanted medical devices are made from PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), a clear elastomeric material. To improve in vitro modeling of infections, we've developed a BioFlux plate that features 100% PDMS flow channels. An example of a study performed on these plates is shown below. 

All-PDMS plates are available for all BioFlux systems. 

Schematics-of-key-similarities-and-differences-in-the-three-different-implant-scenarios_W640

Regardless of the medical device, there will always be environmental factors that can increase the chance of infection. This figure shows (a) dental implants (b) hip arthroplasties and (c) external fixators, all of which are surrounded by microbes (Yue et al., 2015). With the BioFlux, these different conditions can be studied and manipulated in order to research how to create medical devices that reduce the risk of inflammation and infection.

PDMS+plates

BioFlux all-PDMS (silicone) plates were used with primary human urine to model catheter affiliated infections. Shown above: negative control (A), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli co-culture (B), and Staphylococcus aureus (C) grown over 13 hours.

Key BioFlux Advantages For Medical Device Infection Studies

  • Microfluidic platform allows for reduced sample, volume-enabling the use of primary media including: saliva, plasma, urine, and tears

  • Silicone bottom plates feature all-PDMS flow channels to address the need for research regarding biofilms that attribute to medical device infections

  • Custom substrate plates feature the ability to add any material to the bottom of microfluidic flow chambers, and enable a full range of experimental protocols utilizing custom substrates

  • Control physiological parameters and observe bacterial attachment and biofilm growth over a variety of substrates

  • Research can include infections of dental implants; orthopedic implants; in-dwelling device surfaces; and environmental biofilms in industrial settings

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