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Blood microflow: Overview and Measurements Techniques

Prof. Marianne Fenech

Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ottawa

October 3, 2022 9:30 - 10:30

Mackenzie Building, Room ME3380, Carleton University

abstract

Predicting blood microflow in both simple and complex geometries is challenging because of the composition and behavior of the blood at microscale. Indeed, in microcirculation, blood cannot be considered as a liquid flow, but rather as a collection of interacting particles. In particular, red blood cells (RBC), which are the most numerous cells found in the blood (40% of the blood volume), may adversely affect blood viscosity. When blood cells are too abundant (Erythrocytose, Hyperleukocytic leukaemias…), less deformable than healthy cells (Sickle cell disorders, Haemolytic anaemias, falciparum anaemia…), or if they tend to aggregate abnormally (observed in a variety of clinical states such as trauma, shock, burns, infections, complicated diabetes mellitus, malignant and rheumatic diseases), microcirculation can be altered leading to various health-related problems. Thus, characterization of the flow in microchannels is the key for gaining insights into cellular interactions at the microscale, mechanisms of diseases, and efficacy of therapeutic solutions. In this talk I will introduce some experimental techniques to study the blood dynamics and blood Rheology in microcirculation.

biography

Marianne Fenech is a professor at the University of Ottawa. Her group studies the complex mechanical behaviour of blood at the microscale with an experimental approach mainly using cutting-edge technology associated with microfluidics.