Abstract
The shelf-life of donated red blood cells (RBCs) for transfusions is currently limited to six weeks when stored under refrigeration. This causes supply shortages worldwide and prevents transfusions in locations that lack access to cold-chain storage. Recently, a new approach to store RBCs as a dried powder at ambient temperature was developed. This method utilizes an ultrasound-integrated microfluidic platform to induce intracellular delivery of compounds that protect cells during desiccation and rehydration. The objective of this study was to detect cavitation emissions in order to optimize parameters for molecular delivery to RBCs in this system. Ultrasound was continuously generated in the microfluidic channels using an 8-MHz PZT plate and acoustic emissions were passively detected with an identical PZT plate aligned coaxially. Fluorescein and lipid-coated microbubbles were added to RBC solutions in order to nucleate cavitation and enhance intracellular molecular uptake as measured by flow cytometry. Increased levels of broadband emissions were detected at microfluidic flow rates associated with higher fluorescein delivery to RBCs. These results suggest that inertial cavitation plays an important role in enhancing molecular delivery to RBCs in the microfluidic channels. Optimization of this system may enhance delivery of protective compounds for long-term preservation of blood.
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
