Simultaneous measurement of red blood cell aggregation and viscosity: Light transmission slit rheometer

Aggregation of red blood cells (RBCs) is a major determinant of blood viscosity. There have not been available techniques for measuring RBC aggregation and viscosity, simultaneously. A laser transmission technique has been combined with a slit rheometry, which shows significant advances in rheometer design, operation and data analysis. A laser beam traverses a blood suspension flowing through a slit and is scattered by RBCs in the volume. The transmitted light is captured by a photodiode, linked to a computer, while the differential pressure variation is measured by a pressure transducer. Both measurements of the laser-transmitted intensity and pressure with respect to time enable to determine the aggregation index and the viscosity. The advantages of this design are in its simplicity, i.e., ease of operation and no moving parts, low cost and a short operating time. In addition, the slit-flow aggregometer can be easily used in a clinical setting owing to the incorporation of a disposable element that holds the blood sample.