title: Continuous plasma extraction under viscoelastic fluid in a straight channel with asymmetrical expansion-contraction cavity arrays.
abstract: In this paper, continuous plasma extraction under viscoelastic fluid in a straight channel with asymmetrical expansion-contraction cavity arrays (ECCA channel) is demonstrated by exploiting the Dean-flow-coupled elasto-inertial effects. First, the forces experienced by particles in the ECCA channel were discussed. Then, 4.8 μm diameter particles, which mimic the behaviour of red blood cells (RBCs), were used to study the effects of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) concentrations and flow rates on particle viscoelastic focusing. Also, 3 μm, 4.8 μm and 10 μm diameter particles, which are comparable in size to platelets, RBCs, and white blood cells (WBCs), respectively, were used to study the effect of particle size on particle viscoelastic focusing. Finally, plasma extraction from diluted blood samples under viscoelastic conditions was conducted, and the purity of the collected blood plasma was measured. After two series of filtration with the same ECCA channel, the purity of 3 μm, 4.8 μm and 10 μm diameter particles reached 100%, and the plasma purity reached 99.99%, as measured by a hemocytometer. In addition, flow cytometry data further validated the filtration performance of blood plasma. By exploiting the Dean-flow-coupled elasto-inertial effects, the ECCA channel offers a continuous, sheathless, and high purity plasma extraction.
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. weihuali@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. weihuali@uow.edu.au and School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 25022, Australia.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sluyter
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. weihuali@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Qianbin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. weihuali@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. weihuali@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Gursel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alici
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. weihuali@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Weihua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D002458:Cell Fractionation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004548:Elasticity; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; D010949:Plasma; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D011092:Polyethylene Glycols