Separation of blood cells using hydrodynamic lift

摘要: Using size and deformability as intrinsic biomarkers, we separate red blood cells (RBCs) from other components based on a repulsive hydrodynamic cell-wall-interaction. We exploit this purely viscous lift effect at low Reynolds numbers to induce lateral migration of soft objects perpendicular the streamlines fluid, which closely follows theoretical prediction by Olla [J. Phys. II 7, 1533, (1997)]. study effects flow rate fluid viscosity separation efficiency demonstrate RBCs, platelets, solid microspheres each other. The method can be used for continuous label-free cell classification sorting in on-chip analysis.