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Micro-Flow Visualization of Red Blood Cell-Enhanced Platelet Concentration at Sudden Expansion

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Abstract

Microscopic steps and crevices are inevitable features within prosthetic blood-contacting devices. This study aimed to elucidate the thrombogenicity of the associated microscopic flow features by studying the transport of fluorescent platelet-sized particles in a suspension of red blood cells (RBCs) flowing through a 100 μm:200 μm sudden expansion. Micro-flow visualization revealed a strong influence of hematocrit upon the path of RBCs and spatial concentration of particles. At all flow rates studied (Re = 8.3–41.7) and hematocrit 20% and lower, RBC streamlines were found to detach from the microchannel wall creating an RBC-depleted zone inside the step that was much larger than the cells themselves. However, the observed distribution of particles was relatively homogeneous. By contrast, the RBC streamlines of samples with hematocrit equal to or greater than 30% more closely followed the contour of the microchannel, yet exhibited enhanced concentration of particles within the corner. The corresponding size of the cell depletion layer was comparable with the size of the cells. This study implies that local platelet concentration in blood within the physiological range of hematocrit can be elevated within the flow separation region of a sudden expansion and implicates the role of RBCs in causing this effect.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Sachin Velankar for his help in design of the microchannel. This study was supported in part by grants from the Department of Defense, US Army through Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Rui Zhao, Samuel J. Hund & James F. Antaki

  2. Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Joie N. Marhefka, Fangjun Shu, Marina V. Kameneva & James F. Antaki

  3. Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Joie N. Marhefka & Marina V. Kameneva

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  1. Rui Zhao
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  2. Joie N. Marhefka
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Correspondence to James F. Antaki.

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Zhao, R., Marhefka, J., Shu, F. et al. Micro-Flow Visualization of Red Blood Cell-Enhanced Platelet Concentration at Sudden Expansion. Ann Biomed Eng 36, 1130–1141 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-008-9494-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-008-9494-z

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