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Study of the Partitioning of Red Blood Cells Through Asymmetric Bifurcating Microchannels

Journal of Medical and Biological Engineering volume 40, pages 53–61 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

The heterogeneous distribution of red blood cells (RBCs) in the microcirculatory system is a complicated phenomenon because many factors influence how they are partitioned at microvascular bifurcations. In this study, we investigated the RBC partitioning mechanism by fabricating an in vitro experimental apparatus.

Methods

The apparatus comprised a bifurcating, microfluidic channel, and the flow rate through the channels can be controlled readily over a wide range. The division turning point at which an RBC trajectory changes from one bifurcation to the other was identified via particle-tracking velocimetry on individual RBCs.

Results

The experimental results were close to the theoretical predictions and numerical simulations. The hematocrit variation before and after bifurcation was quantitatively estimated by image analysis and compared to the prediction based on Pries’ empirical model. The Zweifach–Fung effect was enhanced in the smaller fractional flow, increasing the RBC flux bias. Moreover, a cell-free layer with axial symmetry was formed in the parent channel, and an asymmetric cell-free layer was formed immediately after bifurcation.

Conclusions

These obtained results will help clarify the RBC partitioning mechanism at microvascular bifurcations.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) (No. 18K12052) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, funding from the Japan Keirin Association, and Takahashi Industrial and Economic Research Founding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5, Hodogaya, Yokohama, 240-8501, Japan

    Ko Yamamoto, Hiroki Abe, Chihiro Miyoshi & Haruyuki Ogura

  2. Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5, Hodogaya, Yokohama, 240-8501, Japan

    Toru Hyakutake

Authors
  1. Ko Yamamoto
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  2. Hiroki Abe
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  3. Chihiro Miyoshi
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  4. Haruyuki Ogura
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  5. Toru Hyakutake
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Correspondence to Toru Hyakutake.

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Yamamoto, K., Abe, H., Miyoshi, C. et al. Study of the Partitioning of Red Blood Cells Through Asymmetric Bifurcating Microchannels. J. Med. Biol. Eng. 40, 53–61 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40846-019-00492-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40846-019-00492-9

Keywords

  • Red blood cell
  • Bifurcating channel
  • Cell-free layer
  • Image analysis