This bioreactor, the first of its kind, is designed for testing shunt systems used in managing hydrocephalus. The design includes two wells and a box area. The two identical wells are connected by an inter-cylindrical hole at the bottom, ensuring a circular flow starting from the input tube, going through the wells, and returning to the output tube. One well has internal projections (protrusions) to hold a transwell insert containing hydrogel-embedded brain cells. The box area houses the micropump and batteries. Additionally, clips are designed in the box area to hold the tubes in place while the micropump is running. A lid is also designed to fit securely on top of the box to keep it intact and sterile while inside the incubator.

Batteries are used to ensure the entire bioreactor could be sterilized and placed inside the incubator with no outside wiring. The micropump’s output tube can be attached to a catheter for absorbing media containing cells, while the input tube returns the media to wells adjacent to the one containing the catheter. The micropump is designed to pump at a rate of approximately 300 microliters per minute.