Radial spreading in filter paper: A simple micromethod for the measurement of flow properties of concentrated red cell suspensions

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Stäubli, M. | Straub, P.W.

Affiliations: Thrombosis Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine Inselspital, University of Berne, Switzerland

Note: [] Accepted by: Editor H. Schmid-Schönbein

Abstract: The radial spreading time of a red cell suspension within a filter paper correlates with the filtration time as assessed by a conventional funnel filtration technique. 25 µl of a red cell suspension was dispensed onto an annularly suspended filter paper and the radial spreading time recorded. The filter paper was calibrated by previous measurement of the spreading time for the suspending solution (calibration time). A linear correlation between calibration time and radial spreading time was found for individual red cell suspensions as well as for a population of normal individuals (p < 0.001). The quotient radial spreading time/calibration time represented a measure of relative red cell suspension viscosity. Technical equipment and procedure were extremely simple and measurements could be made with as little as 1 ml of donor blood, allowing the application to problems of pediatrics and neonatology.

Keywords: Erythrocytes, Viscosity, Filterability, Micromethod

DOI: 10.3233/CH-1982-2411

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 339-354, 1982