Microfluidics Devices to Investigate Blood Cell Dynamics during Thrombus Formation Driven by Shear-gradients on Micro Stenosis

We report on a microfluidic experimental platform and a computational fluid dynamics model to study blood cell dynamics at micro-scale stenoses where local strain-rate microgradients trigger platelet aggregation. The manner in which stenotic flow affects blood cell mass transport at physiological flow rates; and how this modulates platelet aggregation, remains unexplored. We present the design and experimental validation of a microfluidic device that incorporates asymmetric flow focusing of several fluidic streams to study the hemodynamic variables promoting platelet aggregation at shear-gradient mechanisms as well as a computational model to investigate local forces enhancing platelet transport.