Visualization and Measurements of Blood Cells Flowing in Microfluidic Systems and Blood Rheology: A Personalized Medicine Perspective

Abstract

Hemorheological alterations in the majority of metabolic diseases are always connected with blood rheology disturbances, such as the increase of blood and plasma viscosity, cell aggregation enhancement, and reduction of the red blood cells (RBCs) deformability. Thus, the visualizations and measurements of blood cells deformability flowing in microfluidic devices (point-of-care devices) can provide vital information to diagnose early symptoms of blood diseases and consequently to be used as a fast clinical tool for early detection of biomarkers. For instance, RBCs rigidity has been correlated with myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, among other blood diseases. In order to better understand the blood cells behavior in microfluidic devices, rheological properties analysis is gaining interest by the biomedical committee, since it is strongly dependent on the interactions and mechanical cells proprieties. In addition, the development of blood analogue fluids capable of reproducing the rheological properties of blood and mimic the RBCs behavior at in vitro conditions is crucial for the design, performance and optimization of the microfluidic devices frequently used for personalized medicine. By combining the unique features of the hemorheology and microfluidic technology for single-cell analysis, valuable advances in personalized medicine for new treatments and diagnosis approach can be achieved.

Fabrication and Applications of Microfluidic Devices: A Review

“…Moreover, microfluidics can be involved in studying blood cell deformability to provide vital information for the early diagnosis of blood-related diseases. Besides, blood analog fluids can be analyzed in microfluidic devices, with the aim of developing new treatments in a personalized medicine approach [ 149 ].…”

Properties and Applications of PDMS for Biomedical Engineering: A Review

“…Initially, blood analogues were simple fluids composed by mixtures of glycerol and water or by xanthan gum diluted in glycerine and/or water [ 153 , 154 ]. However, by using these kinds of blood analogues, it is not possible to study different kinds of flow phenomena that happen at the micro scale level, such as the cell-free layer, plasma skimming and cell margination [ 101 , 155 , 156 ]. These microcirculation phenomena do not happen by using blood analogue fluids without solid elements, such as microparticles and microcapsules.…”

Blood Particulate Analogue Fluids: A Review

“…The study of the blood flow behaviour through microchannels is crucial to improve our understanding of phenomena happening in the human microcirculatory system. The development of microfluidics technology has allowed the production of platforms that replicate the microvascular system with applications to detect and study pathologies (diseases), to assess drug treatments, among others [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], providing many new insights into the physical, chemical, and physicochemical responses of cells [ 4 ]. However, there are difficulties associated with the use of in vitro blood, such as coagulation, sample storage, sample disposal, complex cleaning of microdevices used, etc., in addition to ethical and economic issues.…”