The cellTRAY® microfluidic system is an upgrade to the cellTRAY ®mini microscope and enables the researcher to have environmental control which allows for live cell imaging.The microfluidic system has a top unit that fits onto the cellTRAY chips and maintains physiological temperature as well as humidity and CO2, it also comes with a 4 chamber pump system that can be used to deliver media to the cells and so create a dynamic culturing environment.The microfludics system also comes with cellTRAY® manager software for imaging and time lapse captures.
The cellTRAY® microfluidic system can be modified to provide specific benefits for both Assisted Reproduction
Applications (ART) and Drug Discovery (DD).
 
Features and benefits for assisted reproduction (ART)

• Pulsatile Laminar Flow – compared to static cultures the flow provides a more in vivo condition for the oviduct.
• Fluid Flow – imparts movement and rotation of the oocyte leading to increased fertilization and physiological benefits, such as nutrient media contact on all surfaces of the oocyte/embryo and the provision of fresh media without cell manipulations.
• The well size of the cellTRAY® enables easy loading and unloading of embr yos.
• The cellTRAY allows for small nutrient media volume (3-5μl) is comparable to in vivo volumes of the reproductive tract and also a reduction in consumables.
• Greater consistency with incubation conditions.
• Reduction of personal handling.
• Small footprint.

 
Features and benefits for drug discovery (DD)

• Supplied with an automated stage microscope to allow for kinetic assays and high throughput analysis.
• Along with the CT-2301 or CT-2600 cellTRAY® slides the system becomes a powerful multi experimental, high throughput drug discovery or screening tool.
• Flow based culture can provide more physiologically relevant cultures for certain cell types.
• Stage-mounted incubator.
• Greater incubation consistency.
• Reduction in personal handling.