title: Biomimetic Precapillary Flow Patterns for Enhancing Blood Plasma Separation: A Preliminary Study.
abstract: In this study, a biomimetic microfluidic plasma separation device is discussed. The design of the device drew inspiration from in vivo observations of enhanced cell-free layer (CFL) formation downstream of vascular bifurcations. The working principle for the plasma separation was based on the plasma skimming effect in an arteriolar bifurcation, which is modulated by CFL formation. The enhancement of the CFL width was achieved by a local hematocrit reduction near the collection channel by creating an uneven hematocrit distribution at the bifurcation of the channel. The device demonstrated a high purity of separation (~99.9%) at physiological levels of hematocrit (~40%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore. cienab@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Bumseok
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Namgung
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore. bietksj@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Justin Kok Soon
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore. peter.wong@u.nus.edu.
authors.forename: Peter Agustinus
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575, Singapore. mpeps@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Sung-Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore. bielhl@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Hwa Liang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Leo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore. bieks@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Sangho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: cell-free layer; hemodynamics; hydrodynamic separation; microfluidics