NERDT ™ NEar Real Digestive Tract – Dynamic in vitro stomach-intestine system

NERDT™ stands for

NEar Real Digestive Tract.

It is a dynamic in vitro stomach-intestine system.

The biomechanics of the gastrointestinal tract strongly influence food disintegration and digestion in vivo. This is often overlooked in research or requires extensive animal testing. The NERDT™ is unique in its morphology and contractions, therefore mimicking the natural effect of mechanical forces that occur in the digestive process in humans and animals. This machine allows intensive research to be done, resulting in a heavily reduction of animal testing.

We have made the machine as close as we can get to nature.

That includes the esophagus-stomach-intestine as a silicone model with all its internal natural structures. This unique stomach structure is true to that of a real human or animal. Our infant model is able to be tilt horizontally just like an infant would when they are laid down to sleep.

There is an electromechanical driving rig which mimics the peristaltic movements of the digestive tract. Then there is the digestive emptying method. The stomach can (partly) be emptied by being able to rotate, just like it is done naturally. All is controlled via a built-in LCD touch screen panel. This all takes place in the temperature-controlled cabinet.

Checking, adjusting, and studying acidity, temperature and or other natural digestive processes is possible with this system at any time. As well as adding or removing natural digestive products (such as enzymes and bacteria).