Cell distribution and segregation phenomena in blood flow: biomechanical aspects and impacts

CBET 1436082该项目将使用数值方法和计算机模拟来检查血管系统和体外通道中的血液流动，包括用于诊断目的处理血液的微流体设备。该项目将专注于分析和预测细胞在流动过程中的迁移。红细胞倾向于向血管或通道的中心迁移，而白细胞和血小板则向血管或通道壁移动。该项目将研究血管横截面的几何形状、红细胞压积、通过血管的流速以及细胞之间的相互作用如何影响细胞迁移。此外，该提案将考虑向血液中添加少量聚合物的影响。众所周知，这些聚合物可以减少湍流中的能量损失，但最近的证据表明，它们也可能以具有生理益处的方式影响层流血液流动。将开发一种计算和数学框架，用于预测血液细胞在流过血管时的迁移。将检查血液循环和微流控装置的流动几何特征，检查红细胞边际和血管壁上无细胞层的形成情况。将研究长链减阻聚合物的作用，以解决它们影响边际作用和无细胞层发育的机制。计算机模拟的结果将与研究员S的同事进行的实验进行比较。这一结果将提高我们对各种血液疾病的生物力学方面的理解。

CBET 1436082This project will use numerical methods and computer simulation to examine blood flow in the vascular system and in extracorporeal channels, including microfluidic devices that process blood for diagnostic purposes. The project will focus on analyzing and predicting the migration of cells during flow. Red blood cells tend to migrate toward the center of a vessel or channel, while white blood cells and platelets are displaced toward vessel or channel walls. The project will investigate how cell migration is affected by the geometry of the vessel cross-section, hematocrit, flow rate through the vessel, and interactions among the cells. In addition, the proposal will consider the effects of small amount of polymers added to the blood. These polymers are known to reduce energy losses in turbulent flow, but recent evidence suggests they may also affect laminar blood flow in ways that have physiological benefits. A computational and mathematical framework will be developed for predicting migration of blood cells during flow through a vessel. Red blood cell margination and the formation of cell free layers at the vessel walls will be examined for flow geometries characteristic of the circulation and microfluidic devices. The role of long-chain drag reducing polymers will be examined to resolve the mechanism by which they affect margination and the development of a cell free layer. The results of the computer simulations will be compared with experiments carried out by the investigator?s colleagues. The results will improve our understanding of the biomechanical aspects of various hematological disorders.