Micro-particle image velocimetry for blood flow in thick round glass micro-channels: Channel fabrication and velocity profile characterization *

This method describes the use of thick round borosilicate glass micro-channels for blood flow visualization using micro-particle image velocimetry (& mu;PIV) techniques. In contrast with popular methods using squared polydimethylsiloxane channels, this method allows for visualization of blood flow in channel geometries that resemble more the natural physiology of human blood vessels. With a custom designed enclosure, the microchannels were submerged in glycerol to reduce light refraction occurring during & mu;PIV due to the thick walls of the glass channels. A method is proposed to correct the extracted velocity profiles from the & mu;PIV to account for out-of-focus error. The customized elements of this method include: & BULL; The use of thick circular glass micro-channels, & BULL; a custom designed mounting solution for the channels on a glass slide for flow visualization, & BULL; a MATLAB code to correct velocity profile accounting for out-of-focus error.