Human erythrocyte filterability at low driving pressure.

In this study, the human RBC capillary flow has been modeled by passing 11 microl of RBC suspension (Hematocrit = 6%) in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of a viscosity of 1 and 2.6 cP (in the presence of 2% Dextran) through 5 microm pore diameter polycarbonate Nuclepore filters. We have developed a digitally controlled experimental system for measuring the RBC filterability at a constant driving pressure, in the range of 10-400 Pa, producing a wall shear stress range of 1-50 Pa.