The microfluidic approach for studying the mechanical properties of blood cells

N. Antonova

Abstract: Microfluidics has become a prominent field for studying blood microrheology and mechanical properties of blood cells - erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. This work reviews the recent developments in microfluidic technologies for in vitro tests of red blood cells (RBCs) deformability and RBC aggregation, leukocyte aggregation and adhesion, and platelet thrombus formation. The study summarizes the working principles and experimental results of key microfluidic platforms for RBC deformability, RBC aggregation, leukocyte aggregation and platelet coagulation and thrombus formation. The advantages and limitations of each technique are examined and discussed. The future research opportunities for improving devices are analyzed. The developed devices and experimental systems are promising tools for the study of erythrocyte deformability and aggregation, as well as leukocyte adhesion and thrombus formation.

Series on Biomechanics, Vol.36 No.1 (2022), 153-162
DOI: 10.7546/SB.20.2022

Keywords: blood cells; leukocyte adhesion; microfluidics; microrheology; platelets; red blood cells (RBCs) deformability and aggregation

Date published: 2022-04-12