Resources

Whitaker 350

The Lake Lab is located on the east end of Washington University’s Danforth campus. Located on the 3rd floor of Whitaker Hall our lab has numerous procedure rooms and spaces for research. If you would like to tour lab or have questions about equipment use please feel free to contact one of us.

Planar Biaxial Testing Machine

OVERVIEW

The planar biaxial test setup enables testing of various materials and offers a wide range of possible test configurations. The modular design of each of the four linear actuators enables mechanical test protocols of planar biaxial tensile testing, uniaxial tension, shear, compression, and rotational loading (using a rack and pinion gear). The system can be configured with several different cameras for simultaneous capture of images/videos. 

 

PREVIOUS USES

Tendons (mouse, rat, bovine, human), ligaments (mouse, rat, human), capsule (human), rat elbow joints, decalcified bone (chicken), abdominal wall tissue (porcine, human), synthetic meshes for hernia repair.

Quantitative Polarized Light Imaging Camera

OVERVIEW

We perform quantitative polarized light imaging to measure collagen fiber organization in soft connective tissues.  Our system uses a fiber optic light source, light guide, linear polarizers, quarter wave plate, and a bio-inspired polarization camera. Imaging can be performed statically or dynamically during mechanical testing. 

 
PREVIOUS USES

Ligaments, tendons, capsule, rectus sheath, and vitreous humor.

Rodent Functional Assessment

OVERVIEW

Two systems are used for longitudinal assessment of elbow joint function in rodents. Gait analysis is performed using an open arena setup, high-speed video camera and MATLAB processing software. Grip strength is measured with a novel device consisting of limb-specific load cells and grip ladders coupled with custom analysis code.

Photron Mini UX50 High Speed Camera

This camera is able to record 2000 frames per second at full resolution (1280×1024) and 160,000 frames per second and lowest resolution (1280×8). This can be done in monochromatic or full color.

Freezing Stage Microtome

OVERVIEW

The freezing stage microtome is used to section many different types of tissues. The stage can freeze to temperatures as low as –40 degrees, with an adjustable temperature setting that enables optimal cutting of many types of tissues.

 
PREVIOUS USES

Tendons, ligaments, muscle, capsule, synovium and decalcified bone.

Keyence LJ-V700-1 Laser Scanner


 

OVERVIEW

This Keyence LJ-V700-1 laser scanner provides rapid and accurate imaging and geometric measurement of dimensions of small objects. The scanner is mounted above a linear sliding platform that enables full length scans to be taken of test samples. Custom MATLAB programs have been developed to generate 3D images and make specific measurements. 

 
PREVIOUS USES

Cross sectional area and height measurements of various tissues (tendons, ligaments, capsule, bone) and non-biological materials (thin concrete).

Instron

OVERVIEW

A vertically-oriented mechanical test system is used for various experiments using uniaxial tension and torsional loading (via rack and pinion gear).

3D Printers


OVERVIEW

Two 3D printers are used to fabricate replacement parts, novel components, model systems, and outreach materials.

 

Electrospinner

OVERVIEW

The electrospinning setup draws a polymer solution to an electrically-charged collector plate or mandrel to create fine woven materials that can be used for tissue engineering or drug delivery.