title: A precision method to measure average viscoelastic parameters of erythrocyte populations.
abstract: Suspensions of erythrocytes in media of low conductivity are subjected to homogenous high frequency electric fields (1 MHz, approximately 10 to 40 kV/m). The resulting transient deformation of the cells is measured by laser light diffraction. Employing a viscoelastic model of the erythrocyte membrane, relative values of membrane shear modulus and response time can currently be determined to within 7% or better. With a measurement time of one minute the average values of some 10(5) cells can be obtained. As a test of the method, osmotic swelling and deflation of the cells and crosslinking their membrane skeleton by diamide are used to alter the viscoelastic properties of the erythrocytes.
authors.affiliation: Physik-Department E 22, Technische Universität München, Garching, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kage
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Engelhardt
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sackman
mesh_terms: D004548:Elasticity; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability / Q000502:physiology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008954:Models, Biological; D014783:Viscosity