Theoretical model of phase separation of erythrocytes, platelets, and plasma at branches

Analytical expressions for the changes of the erythrocyte and platelet concentration are calculated as blood flows through a single bifurcation. The effect of the separation surface, which divides the blood into the two daughter vessels, upon the concentration changes is studied. Numerical fitting to the experimental data shows that both the erythrocyte and platelet distributions across the vessel are nonuniform. The maximum of the erythrocyte concentration is in the core, and of the platelet concentration, in the vicinity of the wall. A separation surface that is convex towards the axis of the vessel yields better fit to the experimental data than a concave one. Together with other studies, this suggests that flow-divider geometry depends on flow conditions and the vessel diameters. The results can be used for estimation of the distribution of erythrocytes and platelets in the microvasculature.