Prediction of noninertial focusing of red blood cells in Poiseuille flow.

Abstract

The motions of a red blood cell in Poiseuille flows in a range of channel widths are simulated using a two-dimensional model. For a range of initial off-centerline distances in a 12-μm channel, cell trajectories converge to a specific off-centerline position and exhibit tank-treading motions. This behavior coexists with initial positions that lead to migration towards the centerline. The predicted off-centerline focusing effect is shown to depend on the curvature of the flow profile and on interactions with both solid boundaries.