Axisymmetric polydimethysiloxane microchannels for in vitro hemodynamic studies
Rui Lima1, Mónica S N Oliveira, Takuji Ishikawa
1Department of Mechanical Technology, ESTiG, Bragança Polyt., C. Sta. Apolonia, Bragança, Portugal. ruimec@ipb.pt
Biofabrication
|September 3, 2010
Summary
Researchers developed circular polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels to better mimic blood vessels. Red blood cell (RBC) dispersion in these microchannels increases with higher hematocrit levels.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Physiology
Background:
- Microdevices for biomedical research commonly use microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology.
- Rectangular microchannels fabricated via soft lithography lack physiological relevance to microcirculation.
- There is a need for microchannel geometries that better replicate in vivo microvascular environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a simple method for fabricating circular polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels.
- To create microchannels that mimic the in vivo microvascular environment.
- To enable advanced microscale flow visualization techniques.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of circular PDMS microchannels using a simple method.
- Utilizing confocal microparticle image velocimetry/particle tracking velocimetry (microPIV/PTV) for flow visualization.
- Tracking individual red blood cells (RBCs) within a 75 micrometer circular PDMS microchannel.
Main Results:
- Successful tracking of individual RBCs in circular PDMS microchannels.
- Demonstrated that RBC lateral dispersion is dependent on RBC volume fraction (hematocrit).
- Quantified the relationship between hematocrit and RBC lateral dispersion.
Conclusions:
- Circular PDMS microchannels offer a more physiologically relevant model for microcirculation studies.
- Confocal microPIV/PTV is effective for visualizing RBC behavior in microchannels.
- RBC lateral dispersion is a critical factor influenced by hematocrit in microvascular flow.
