Blood Flow Analysis and Red Blood Cell Aggregation Investigation

Authors

  • Rym Mehri Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Ottawa
  • Jérémie Laplante Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Ottawa
  • Catherine Mavriplis Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Ottawa
  • Marianne Fenech Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Ottawa

Abstract

This work aims to develop a method to quantitatively analyze red blood cell (RBC) aggregates under controlled flow conditions, based on image processing. The set up consists of RBC suspensions entrained by a second fluid in a 150x33 μm microchannel. The experiments are performed by varying the hematocrit (10, 15 & 20%) and the flow rate (Q=5 & 10 μl/hr). The flow is visualized using a high speed camera coupled to a micro Particle Image Velocimetry (μPIV) system. Videos obtained with the high speed camera are processed using a MATLAB program to detect RBC aggregates based on the images intensities. An average aggregate size has been determined for each of the shear rates and hematocrits. The aggregates are shown to be larger at low flow rates and high hematocrits. 

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Published

2013-05-21

How to Cite

[1]
R. Mehri, J. Laplante, C. Mavriplis, and M. Fenech, “Blood Flow Analysis and Red Blood Cell Aggregation Investigation”, CMBES Proc., vol. 36, no. 1, May 2013.

Issue

Vol. 36 (2013)

Section

Academic