0000000000873271
AUTHOR
H. Schmid-schönbein
Microrheology of erythrocytes and platelets: physiological basis and consequences for the design and the operation of extracorporeal circulatory devices
Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the physiological basis and consequences for the design and the operation of extracorporeal circulatory devices. The microrheological response of erythrocytes and thrombocytes can be observed microscopically under simplified flow conditions in the rheoscope. In this device, cells are observed at high magnifications while being subjected to quantifiable shear stresses. Despite the unphysiological environment, the use of this method allowed an important extrapolation to well-established in vivo flow properties and a clear distinction between the primarily passive microrheological properties of the erythrocytes and the microrheological features of throm…
Influence of intracellular convection on the oxygen release by human erythrocytes
There is general agreement today that intracellular diffusive transport of HbO2 and O2 limits the rate of oxygen uptake or release by the blood in the exchange vessels. Recent hemorheological results have shown that the mammalian erythrocyte exhibits fluidity as its most unique rheological property: it can be deformed continuously and rapidly, shear and normal stresses can be transmitted to the interior of the cell where systems of laminar flow are induced. These mechanical properties lead to the question whether or not intracellular convection does take place in the erythrocyte and to what extent it plays a part in gas exchange. A method was developed which subjects oxygen-saturated soluti…