Correlation between erythrocytes deformability and size: a study using a microchannel based cell analyzer

The deformability of erythrocytes is of great importance for oxygen delivery in the microcirculation [Lipowsky, H.H., 2005. Microvascular rheology and hemodynamics. Microcirculation 12, 5-15]. Aging of erythrocytes is associated with a reduction in deformability and also in size. The present work describes an automated cell analyzer which utilizes a glass microchannel and advanced image processing software. Erythrocytes suspended in a high viscosity medium are filmed flowing through the microchannel. Under these conditions, the cells assume different orientations and undergo varying deformations according to their location in the velocity profile. The cell analyzer enables the measurement of individual erythrocyte velocity, deformability and volume at varying depths within the microchannel. The volume of the cells is calculated based on the experimental data and a fluid mechanics model. The results obtained show that, on average, the deformability of the cells increases with increase in their size. Additionally, the behavior of RBCs in a microchannel is investigated, showing promising diagnostic possibilities.