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Micro-particle Image Velocimetry for Velocity Profile Measurements of Micro Blood Flows
Published on: April 25, 2013
In vitro blood flow in a rectangular PDMS microchannel: experimental observations using a confocal micro-PIV system
Rui Lima1, Shigeo Wada, Shuji Tanaka
1Department of Bioengineering and Robotics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-01 Aoba, 980-8579, Sendai, Japan. rui@pfsl.mech.tohoku.ac.jp
Biomedical Microdevices
|September 22, 2007
Summary
Confocal micro-PIV effectively measures 3-D blood flow in microfluidic devices. This technique provides detailed velocity profiles in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels, crucial for understanding microcirculation and disease diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Microfluidics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Microfluidic devices are advancing microcirculation research and disease diagnostics.
- Confocal microparticle image velocimetry (PIV) offers high-resolution, 3-D flow measurements in microchannels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of confocal micro-PIV for measuring velocity profiles of physiological saline and in vitro blood in a rectangular polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannel.
- To assess the 3-D flow behavior and validate experimental results with theoretical models.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a confocal micro-PIV system to measure flow in a 300 µm wide, 45 µm deep PDMS microchannel.
- Acquired velocity profiles for physiological saline and 20% hematocrit blood at a constant flow rate (Re = 0.02) at various depth positions.
Main Results:
- Obtained detailed 3-D velocity profiles for both fluids, revealing blunt profiles in the central region due to the low aspect ratio.
- Theoretical model predictions closely matched experimental results for physiological saline.
- Observed minor fluctuations in velocity profiles for in vitro blood.
Conclusions:
- Confocal micro-PIV is effectively integrated with PDMS microchannels for comprehensive 3-D blood velocity profiling.
- The technique's optical sectioning ability is valuable for microcirculation studies and diagnostics.
- PDMS microchannels show promise for biomedical applications, with advantages and disadvantages compared to glass capillaries discussed.
