FIG. 1.

Standard flow cell configuration used for methylene chain-coated pHEMA hydrogel controlled release and pHEMA hydrogel biofilm control experiments. Nutrients (a) were pumped through the flow cell (b) by using peristaltic pumps (c) and placed into an effluent waste vessel (d). A mixing chamber (e) was used as a bubble trap, and aeration was supplied from a fish tank pump through a sterile 0.22-μm-syringe filter (f); fluid depth was maintained by a gravity feed overflow to waste. Backcontamination was prevented by using bubble traps (g). (A and B) The flow cell immersed in a water bath for ultrasound application and positioned on the confocal microscope respectively. (C) Exploded view of the flow cell; (h) aluminum plates; (i) silicone gasket; (j) microscope coverslip; (k) polycarbonate body; (l) hydrogel and microscope slide. The hydrogel was positioned on top of the microscope slide and is not shown separately. The flow cell was held together by screws between plates (h).