A silicon micromachined device for use in blood cell deformability studies
Author
Tracey, M.C.
Greenaway, R. S.
Das, A.
Kaye, Paul H.
Barnes, A. J.
Attention
2299/7300
Abstract
An application of silicon micromachining to the analysis of blood cell theology is described. The system, based upon a micromachined flow cell, provides a specific measurement of each cell in a statistically significant population in terms of both flow velocity profile and an index of cell volume while the cells flow through an array of microchannels. The-rationale, design, and fabrication of the silicon micromachined flow cell is discussed. Interrelated considerations determining the design of the associated fluidic, mechanical, imaging, and real-time image analysis subsystems are examined. Sample data comparing normal and iron deficiency anaemic blood are presented to illustrate the potential of this technique.