Deformation of Erythrocytes Adhered to a Solid Surface by a Laminar Flow

CARLOS A. SCHVEZOV; SCHUSTER, J.M.; ALEJANDRO MORENO; MARIO ROBERTO ROSENBERGER

Phoenix

Congreso; TMS 2018 Annual Meeting & Exhibition; 2018

Blood is composed of cells such as erythrocytes with the largest concentration being hemoglobin one of the principal components. They are subject to hemolysis when interacting with strange bodies present in the blood. Therefore, their interaction with surfaces as well as the blood flow which may deform the cells become very important. The deformation of erythrocytes adhered to a solid surface was studied using the finite elements method, when subject to forces produced by a laminar flow of blood. The degree of deformation, the area of adhesion, the surface tension necessary to maintain the cell adhered and the limit stress before cell membrane fracture due to the flow are analyzed. It is concluded that the erythrocyte deformation is not homogeneous with areas of stress concentration are critical regions for either separation from the surface or failure of the cell.