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A Microfluidic Approach for Assessing the Rheological Properties of Healthy Versus Thalassemic Red Blood Cells
Hao Jiang1,2, Xueying Li2, Zhuoyan Liu2
1Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
Micromachines
|August 28, 2025
Summary
This study developed an automated microfluidic platform to measure red blood cell (RBC) deformability and recovery dynamics. The system effectively distinguished between healthy and thalassemic RBCs, highlighting potential for diagnosing blood disorders.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Hematology
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Red blood cell (RBC) deformability is vital for microvascular circulation.
- Impaired RBC deformability is characteristic of hematological disorders like thalassemia.
- Existing deformability assessments lack standardization and often overlook recovery dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a standardized, automated microfluidic platform for evaluating RBC deformability and recovery.
- To investigate the impact of channel dimensions and flow rates on RBC deformation.
- To differentiate RBCs from healthy individuals and thalassemia patients.
Main Methods:
- Development of a biomimetic microfluidic chip with varying channel widths (4-16 µm).
- High-speed imaging (15,000 fps) and deep-learning algorithms for automated cell tracking and analysis.
- Simulation of capillary conditions and validation using COMSOL CFD modeling.
Main Results:
- The platform demonstrated significantly reduced deformability in PFA-treated RBCs.
- Narrower channels and higher flow rates increased deformation, with faster recovery in more deformable cells.
- Thalassemia patient RBCs showed significantly lower deformability, especially in 4 µm channels, compared to healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- The developed platform offers a standardized, high-throughput method for RBC mechanical characterization.
- The study uncovered novel insights into RBC post-deformation recovery dynamics.
- The platform's diagnostic sensitivity shows promise for screening hematological disorders like thalassemia.
