Unraveling the motion and deformation characteristics of red blood cells in a deterministic lateral displacement device

Shuai Liu, Shuo Chen, Lanlan Xiao, Kaixuan Zhang, Yuan Qi, Hao Li, Yuan Cheng, Zixin Hu, Chensen Lin

Abstract: Highlights•A numerical model is developed and validated to simulate the motion and deformation of red blood cells (RBCs) in microfluidic devices.•The model accurately reproduces characteristic trajectory patterns and critical row-shift fractions found experimentally.•The model explores healthy and abnormal RBCs, finding specific conditions to effectively separate RBCs of varying rigidities.•A new effective diameter concept is introduced to extend DLD theory from solid particles to deformable entities like RBCs.