Experimental and computational validation of Hele-Shaw stagnation flow with varying shear stress

An in vitro flow model system with continuous variation of fluid shear stress can be used to test cell responses to a range of shear stresses. In this investigation, we validated such a flow system computationally for steady and unsteady flow conditions and experimentally for steady flow conditions. The unsteady flow validation is important for studying cells such as endothelial cells that experience unsteady flow conditions in their native environment. The system is capable of exposing cells in different regions of the chamber to steady or unsteady shear stress conditions with average values ranging linearly from 0 to 30 dyn/cm. These tests and analyses demonstrate that the variable-width parallel plate flow system can be used to test the influence of a range of steady and unsteady fluid shear stress levels on cell activities.