A Microfluidic Device for Detecting the Deformability of Red Blood Cells

Authors:
Open Access
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Red blood cell (RBC) deformability is a critical biophysical property that enables effective passage of RBCs through microvasculature and ensures proper oxygen delivery. Impairment of this property is associated with various pathological conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this study, we developed an automated microfluidic platform for high-throughput and real-time assessment of RBC deformability under controlled flow conditions. The device features a structured microchannel design and integrated imaging to quantify individual cell deformation responses. Comparative analyses of RBCs from healthy individuals and T2DM patients revealed significant reductions in deformability in the diabetic group. In vivo validation using a diabetic mouse model further confirmed the progressive decline in RBC deformability under chronic hyperglycemia. This microfluidic approach provides a robust and efficient tool for characterizing RBC mechanical properties, offering potential for disease monitoring and clinical diagnostic applications.
Funding Information
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (12432014)
  • the national key Research and Development Program of China (2025YFE0107500)
  • Shaanxi Province Natural Science Basic Research Program Projects (2025JC-YBMS-028)
  • Technology Innovation Guidance Program Fund of Shaanxi Province (2019CGHJ-09)

This publication has 70 references indexed in Scilit: