Abstract
ABSTRACTIn microcirculation, the cell-free layer (CFL) is a well-known physiological phenomenon that plays an important role in reducing the flow resistance and in balancing nitric oxide (NO) production by endothelial cells and NO scavenging by red blood cells. To better understand this phenomenon, several blood flow studies have been performed in simple geometries at both in vivo and in vitro environments. However, to date little information is available regarding the effects imposed by a complex branching network on the CFL. The present study shows the CFL layer variation at a microchannel network. The images were captured using a high-speed video microscopy system and the thickness of the CFL was measured using both manual and automatic image analysis techniques. Using this methodology, it was possible to visualise the in vitro blood flowing through the network and to identify several flow phenomena that happen in microcirculation. Overall, the results have shown that the concentration of cells and the geometrical configuration of the network have a major impact on the CFL thickness. In particular, the thickness of the CFL decreases as the fluid flows through a microchannel network composed with successive smaller channels. It was also clear that, for the full length of the network, the CFL thickness tends to decrease with the increase of the concentration of cells. The automatic method developed becomes inaccurate for high haematocrit and needs be calibrated by manual methods for Hcts bigger than 10%. The results obtained from this study could help the development and validation of multiscale numerical models able to take into account the CFL for simulating microvascular blood flow.
Highlights
Experimental blood flow studies at the microscale level have been extensively active from the beginning of the twenty-first century (Popel & Johnson 2005; Lima et al 2012)
Using the high-speed video microscopy system shown in Figure 3, it was possible to visualise the working fluids flowing through the network and to identify several flow phenomena that happen in microcirculation
We reported cell-free layer (CFL) layer measurements along a microfluidic network composed of several divergent and convergent bifurcations
Summary
Experimental blood flow studies at the microscale level have been extensively active from the beginning of the twenty-first century (Popel & Johnson 2005; Lima et al 2012). The CFL plays an important role in reducing the flow resistance and in balancing nitric oxide (NO) production by endothelial cells and NO scavenging by RBCs (Kim et al 2006, 2009; Namgung et al 2014). This phenomenon due to its important role in microcirculation is gaining an increasing interest to better understand its microcirculatory functions at both physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering: Imaging & Visualization
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
