Online Red Blood Cell Stiffness Evaluation System by Utilizing a High Speed Vision and Micro Channel

Abstract

This paper challenges online stiffness evaluation of red blood cell (RBC) by using both a micro channel and a high speed vision system. When a RBC passes through a micro channel, the passing time mainly depends upon its stiffness, diamter, and the pressure difference between the input and output ports of the channel. In other words, the stiffness of cell can be evaluated by measuring these three parameters. With the assistance of high speed vision system, we succeded in evaluating the stiffness of RBC with less than 5[msec/cell]. The biggest advantage for utilizing a high speed vision is that we can know exactly what is actually happening in the channel, while it is really hard for other approaches. We also introduced the stiffness evaluation map, by which we can compare the stiffness of RBCs of patients with those of healthy persons.