Micro-particle image velocimetry for blood flow in thick round glass micro-channels: Channel fabrication and velocity profile characterization

Abstract

This method describes the use of thick round borosilicate glass micro-channels for blood flow visualization using micro-particle image velocimetry (µPIV) techniques. In contrast with popular methods using squared polydimethylsiloxane channels, this method allows for visualization of blood flow in channel geometries that resemble more the natural physiology of human blood vessels. With a custom designed enclosure, the microchannels were submerged in glycerol to reduce light refraction occurring during µPIV due to the thick walls of the glass channels. A method is proposed to correct the extracted velocity profiles from the µPIV to account for out-of-focus error. The customized elements of this method include:• The use of thick circular glass micro-channels,• a custom designed mounting solution for the channels on a glass slide for flow visualization,• a MATLAB code to correct velocity profile accounting for out-of-focus error.