The capacity of RBC’s to deform is a powerful indicator of their viability as it is essential for the optimal circulation of these cells both in micro- and macro-circulation. This deformability depends on three important cell properties.

• Surface area to volume ratio
• Viscoelastic properties of the membrane
• The viscosity of the intracellular fluid

Because of the osmotic variety of the medium (50-500 mOsm/kg) during the measurement, continuous deformation occurs which is measured by a laser beam diffraction pattern; captured with a video camera and analyzed by a computer. For this test only 25 μl of blood is needed.

Features:

• Fast testing
• High reproducibility and repeatability
• Multiple research fields