Simulation studies on erythrocyte passage through a bifurcating microvessel

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical model to predict the erythrocyte deformation and motion in a symmetric diverging and converging bifurcation of a microchannel. Membrane mechanics is considered and is incorporated with fluid dynamics. The model has been used to evaluate the effect of different biophysical parameters. The simulation results demonstrate that erythrocytes in microvessels blunt velocity profiles in both straight section and daughter branches. Moreover, the deformation and motion of erythrocytes is strongly influenced by the initial position of the cells, cell stiffness, and shape of the cells. These results may provide fundamental knowledge for a better understanding of hemodynamic behavior of microscale blood flow.