Inversion of hematocrit partition at microfluidic bifurcations

Abstract eng:
Partitioning of red blood cells (RBCs) at the level of bifurcations in the microcirculatory system affects many physiological functions yet it remains poorly understood. We address this problem by using T—shaped microfluidic bifurcations as a model. Our computer simulations and in vitro experiments reveal that the hematocrit ((1)0) partition depends strongly on RBC deformability, as long as (1)0 < 20%. Furthermore, we discover a deviation from the Zweifach—Fung effect which states that the child branch with lower flow rate recruits less RBCs than the higher flow rate child branch. At small enough (no, we get the inverse scenario, and the hematocrit in the lower flow rate child branch is even higher than in the parent vessel.

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