In microfluidico: Recreating in vivo hemodynamics using miniaturized devices

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Microfluidic devices offer precise control over reactive blood flows.
• Key components include validated anticoagulation protocols, defined reactive surfaces, controlled flow regimes, and optical imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the application of microfluidic devices in studying blood clotting dynamics.
• To investigate platelet, thrombin, and fibrin behavior under various flow conditions and surface interactions.
• To model pathological flow scenarios and von Willebrand factor (VWF) fiber formation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an 8-channel device for blood perfusion over patterned surfaces (collagen, collagen/kaolin, collagen/tissue factor).
• Employed membrane-flow, trifurcated, and side-view devices to study agonist delivery, recalcification, drug delivery, and clot growth.
• Simulated pathological flow rates (>100,000 s⁻¹) using stenosis and micropost-impingement devices to study VWF fiber formation.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the ability to measure platelet, thrombin, and fibrin dynamics during clot growth.
• Replicated core-shell clot architecture using human blood.
• Showcased VWF fiber formation under extreme shear and elongational flows, with and without collagen.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidics provide an ideal platform for comprehensive studies of blood clotting and bleeding.
• These devices facilitate research into fibrin polymerization/fibrinolysis, cell/clot mechanics, adhesion, and reaction-transport dynamics.
• Microfluidic systems enable detailed investigation of hemostasis and thrombosis mechanisms.