Figure 1.

Transitional flow system. Cells are precultured on a polycarbonate film that is inserted into the cell chamber for exposure to transitional shear stress. Media flows from the upper reservoir to the cell chamber due to hydrostatic pressure. After flowing through the cell chamber the media flows into the lower reservoir from which it is pumped to the absorption chamber with a peristaltic pump. The absorption chamber, which overflows into the upper reservoir, dampens the momentum of the media so that flow to the lower reservoir is driven only by hydrostatic pressure