Small angle light scattering by large spheroids. Comparison with patterns from erythrocytes under shear.

The physical optics approximation has been used to compute small angle light scattering patterns from spheroids regarged as models for deformed red cells. According to their orientation, diagrams have been obtained whose fine structure can be very different from that resulting of the classical diffraction (existence of maxima and minima of intensity along the rings). Some experimental results for red cells suspensions under shear are shown which exhibit features very similar to the theoretical ones.

Transient hemorheology in an air-bearing viscosimeter.

Blood suspensions have been studied by using an air-bearing viscosimeter which is driven by a rotating magnetic induction. Each transient motion (rise, relaxation with zero or intermittent field) can be considered as a quasi-static motion, from which the curve viscosity-shear gradient can be obtained. Combining several transient motions allows an easier determination of the parameters describing a non newtonian fluid like blood.

Deformation and orientation of red blood cells in a simple shear flow. Theoretical study and approach at small angle light scattering.

On the basis of a simple theoretical model representing the rheological behaviour of the erythrocyte membrane, the authors have proceeded with a theoretical and experimental investigation on the light-scattering diagrams at small angles of normal red blood cells subjected to Couette flow. The results show that the light-scattering diagrams take into account not only cell deformation, but also cell orientation. The prospects for applying this method to the analytical separation of cells with different deformabilities are considered.