Section: New Results

Numerical modelling of cell distribution in blood flow

Properties of blood cells and their interaction determine their distribution in flow. It is observed experimentally that erythrocytes migrate to the ow axis, platelets to the vessel wall, and leucocytes roll along the vessel wall. In [2] , a three-dimensional model based on Dissipative Particle Dynamics method and a new hybrid (discrete-continuous) model for blood cells is used to study the interaction of erythrocytes with platelets and leucocytes in flow. Erythrocytes are modelled as elastic highly deformable membranes, while platelets and leucocytes as elastic membranes with their shape close to a sphere. Separation of erythrocytes and platelets in flow is shown for different values of hematocrit. Erythrocyte and platelet distributions are in a good qualitative agreement with the existing experimental results. Migration of leucocyte to the vessel wall and its rolling along the wall is observed.