Visual Experiment and Analysis of Erythrocyte High-Speed Collision in Microchannel

Abstract

Red blood cells suspension was infused into the microchannel in micron-sized made of PDMS and this leaded to the collision between the red blood cells and the wall of the microchannel. The microflow video was observed and recorded with optical microscope and high-speed camera used. The visualizing of the movement and collision of red blood cells was achieved. The flow images were optimized and the values of the geometric parameters of the red blood cells at different positions were obtained. Combined with the experimental data, the fitted curves of the geometric parameters on the axis of the microchannel were achieved. Besides, the comparison among the flow characteristics for different flow rates was also completed. It turned out that the width of erythrocytes in the microchannel increased and the length decreased continuously along the flow direction, so did the elongation. Erythrocytes gradually developed into tabular shape from initial slender shape along the flow direction. Whats more, the trends of the geometric parameters at different flow rates showed obvious similarity.