Example chamber configuration; current SV2 components may differ.
IC-005 / IC-006 / IC-007 / IC-008
SV2 culture chamber body
A calibrated reusable chamber body with adjustable preload. Sensor boards and electrodes are available separately.
Instruments for living myocardial slices
MyoDish systems, chambers and accessories for living myocardial slice (LMS) research, from long-term culture to microscopy and data analysis.
MyoDish MD 1.3 culture system
ID-001
MyoDish maintains living myocardial slices (LMS) in individual culture chambers on an eight-channel platform inside a CO2 incubator. Mechanical loading, electrical pacing and continuous force measurement let you follow contractile function over days to months.
- Eight separate culture chambers per platform, each with its own force readout
- Adjustable preload and contraction against an elastic load
- Programmable electrical stimulation
- Continuous force recording during culture
- Operated with MyoDish Software for system control, recording and data export
- Tissue
- Developed for living myocardial slices. Chamber options for atrial tissue and engineered heart tissue can be discussed for your application.
- Culture duration
- Long-term culture over days to months; up to four months have been reported for human ventricular slices (Fischer et al., 2019). Achievable duration depends on tissue source, preparation and experimental conditions.
- Environment
- A suitable CO2 incubator and Windows computer are required. The rocking platform is part of the MyoDish system.
- Service
- Installation on site and user training on request
We configure the setup for your laboratory. Chamber sets, software and accessories are listed separately.
Technical overview
Key data of the current MyoDish MD 1.3 configuration. Ask us for details on your setup.
| Culture positions | Eight independent culture chambers per platform, each with its own force channel |
|---|---|
| Force measurement | Deflection of a calibrated spring wire, detected by a magnetic sensor; continuous recording at 400 Hz per channel. Each chamber is supplied with its calibration value. |
| Mechanical load | Adjustable preload; the slice contracts against the spring wire (auxotonic). Four chamber variants from very soft to hard elastic load. |
| Electrical stimulation | Current-controlled, biphasic, charge-balanced field stimulation through graphite electrodes; typical settings 50–75 mA with 3 ms phases. Frequency, timing and pulse parameters are programmable for each chamber. |
| Stimulation protocols | Regular and irregular pacing, premature stimuli and scheduled protocols, for example force–frequency, post-rest, refractory period and pacing threshold |
| Medium | About 2.4 ml per chamber; continuous rocking of the platform by a stepper motor, typically about 60 rpm and adjustable |
| Environment | Standard CO2 incubator at 37 °C and 5 % CO2, up to 85 % relative humidity |
| Power and connection | MD 1.3 is powered through USB via a powered USB hub. Up to three systems are routinely run from one computer. |
| Computer | Windows 10 or 11 PC or laptop |
| Data | Native recording and log files; export to Axon Binary Format (ABF); MATLAB and Python import routines available |
| Conformity | CE marking under the EU Low Voltage, EMC and RoHS directives (EN 61010-1, EN 61326-1, EN IEC 63000). Declaration of conformity on request. |
| Intended use | Laboratory instrument for research. MyoDish is not a medical device and is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. |
What you need in your lab
- A vibratome for ventricular and most atrial slice preparations
- A CO2 incubator with an inner width of at least about 40 cm; a rear cable port is strongly recommended
- A Windows 10 or 11 computer and a powered USB hub
- Tissue adhesive for attaching the tissue holders, for example HistoAcryl or SurgiBond
- Culture medium; M199-based media are commonly used for adult myocardial slices
- A way to keep medium and work surface warm during medium changes, for example the Essential Medium Heater and a heating mat
From tissue to data
Prepare slices
Cut thin slices, typically 300 µm, from fresh myocardium with a vibratome.
Mount
Glue tissue holders to the slice and mount it in a culture chamber with a defined preload.
Culture and pace
Run the chambers on the rocking platform in your incubator with continuous pacing and force recording. Change the medium at regular intervals.
Test and analyse
Apply compounds or interventions, run scheduled functional protocols and export the recordings for analysis.
We support the start with installation and hands-on training. Installation and training
Culture chambers for LMS and engineered heart tissue
Choose a calibrated SV2 chamber body or a complete chamber set. Four elastic-load variants support different tissue preparations and experimental requirements.
Example chamber configuration; current SV2 components may differ.
IC-013 / IC-014 / IC-015 / IC-016
SV2 culture chamber set
A calibrated SV2 chamber with a coated v2 sensor board and one electrode pair, ready to combine with the MyoDish platform.
Swipe or scroll horizontally to see both chamber body and complete set options.
| Variant | Typical application | Elastic load | Chamber body | Complete set |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Engineered heart tissue | Very low | IC-005 | IC-013 |
| #2 | Atrial and right-ventricular preparations | Low | IC-006 | IC-014 |
| #3 | Left-ventricular myocardial slices | Standard | IC-007 | IC-015 |
| #4 | Experiments with reduced slice shortening | High | IC-008 | IC-016 |
Current SV2 chambers and v2 sensor boards are offered for MD-1.3 systems. For an earlier system or questions about compatibility, contact support@invitrosys.com with your system and component versions.
For the culture principle, see how MyoDish supports beating LMS. Care instructions are available through our SOP and protocol resources.
MyoDish Tester
ID-002
The MyoDish Tester is a compact electronic device with a touch display for checking and calibrating MyoDish chamber and sensor combinations. It helps users maintain consistent force measurements when servicing their system. We provide the appropriate procedure for your chamber and hardware version.
Essential Medium Heater
ID-003
The Essential Medium Heater keeps culture medium warm during handling and medium changes. Its compact dry block fits on the laboratory bench or in a suitable clean bench, keeping warmed medium close to your work.
- Dry block for one or two standard 50 ml tubes
- Fixed block temperature of 38 °C; medium temperature depends on volume and handling
- Compact, portable design
- Suitable for routine cell and tissue culture workflows
In our measurements the empty block reached 38 °C about 4 minutes after switching on. 50 ml of medium taken from 4 °C reached 36 °C after about 22 minutes and 37 °C after about 38 minutes.
Measured with the current heater model at an ambient temperature of 23.5 °C. Warming time depends on volume and starting temperature; see the instructions for use.
Show data
| Time | Temperature |
|---|---|
| 0 | 4.0 |
| 2 | 9.6 |
| 4 | 15.6 |
| 6 | 21.6 |
| 8 | 25.9 |
| 10 | 29.1 |
| 12 | 31.2 |
| 14 | 32.9 |
| 16 | 34.1 |
| 18 | 34.9 |
| 20 | 35.5 |
| 22 | 35.9 |
| 24 | 36.1 |
| 26 | 36.4 |
| 28 | 36.6 |
| 30 | 36.8 |
| 32 | 36.8 |
| 34 | 36.9 |
| 36 | 36.9 |
| 38 | 37.0 |
| 40 | 37.0 |
| 42 | 37.0 |
| Time | Temperature |
|---|---|
| 0 | 23.6 |
| 1 | 27.5 |
| 2 | 31.2 |
| 3 | 34.8 |
| 4 | 37.9 |
| 5 | 38.1 |
| 6 | 37.9 |
| 7 | 38.1 |
| 8 | 38.1 |
| 9 | 38.0 |
Example adapter; the stage fitting is tailored to your microscope.
Microscope Adapter
ID-005
Bring your myocardial slice onto the microscope stage. The adapter accommodates one MyoDish chamber and is tailored to your microscope setup, with connections for an external perfusion system.
- Microscope-stage adapter for a single chamber
- Use with the External Controller Unit for pacing and force recording
- Discuss your microscope model and stage dimensions with us
Imaging, perfusion and temperature-control equipment are selected for your experiment.
Controllers and upgrades
Extend your experimental setup or update an existing MyoDish system.
External controller shown with microscope adapter and chamber.
ID-004
External Controller Unit
Pace a single MyoDish chamber and record its force signal outside the culture platform, for example during microscopy, using MyoDish Software.
AD-006
Upgrade Set MD 1.1 to MD 1.3
An upgrade set for converting an MD-1.1 culture system to MD-1.3. Contact us to review your existing system and plan the upgrade.
Accessories, consumables and replacement parts
Keep your LMS experiments running with compatible components and supplies. Include your system model when requesting replacement parts.
IC-018
Coated Sensor Board v2
A coated sensor board for SV2 chambers, supporting force recording and free chamber positioning on the MD-1.3 platform.
IC-019
Electrode pair
One long and one short graphite electrode for electrical stimulation in a MyoDish chamber. Compatible with all MyoDish chamber and system versions.
IC-020
Sensor-board mounting bolts
A pair of mounting bolts for attaching a sensor board to a MyoDish culture chamber.
IC-021L / IC-021M / IC-021S
Tissue holders
Holders for mounting myocardial slices and other preparations in MyoDish chambers. Available in large, medium and small sizes, with 400 holders per sheet.
Large: IC-021L · Medium: IC-021M · Small: IC-021S
Software and data tools
Control stimulation, record LMS contractions and prepare your recordings for analysis.
IS-001
MyoDish Software v2.0
Windows software for controlling MyoDish, programming electrical stimulation protocols and continuously recording slice force to your computer.
IS-001-E
MyoDish Software Extensions
Project-specific software extensions and updates. Discuss your experimental workflow and data requirements with us to define the scope.
IS-002
MyoDish Data Converter
Convert MyoDish recording files (.mdd) to Axon Binary Files (.abf) for analysis in compatible software.
Data and analysis
MyoDish Software records the force of all eight chambers continuously and stores stimulation events and settings in a log. Recordings can be exported to ABF for LabChart and other software, or imported directly into MATLAB and Python.
Typical readouts are twitch amplitude, diastolic force, time to peak, relaxation times and the maximum rates of force rise and decline. Scheduled protocols add force–frequency relationships, refractory periods and pacing thresholds.
Schematic twitch. Parameters such as these are commonly derived from MyoDish force recordings; analysis utilities for selected workflows are available on request.
Product and software enquiries: sales@invitrosys.com. For help with an existing installation, contact support@invitrosys.com.
Installation and training
We offer installation support and practical training in tissue handling, culture and data recording. Tell us about your team and existing equipment so we can plan the appropriate support.
Ordering and shipping
We sell directly and ship worldwide. Send us your request and we will reply with a quote that includes shipping to your institution.
- Quotes for systems, chambers, accessories and service
- Orders by purchase order or order confirmation
- Installation and training on request
Documentation for MyoDish users
Operating manuals, software and protocols for your system are provided to users. Released documents are available in our customer area.