Computational Modeling of Blood Flow with Rare Cell in a Microbifurcation

The study of microfluidic blood flow in bifurcations is important for understanding the blood behavior in capillary network, where the important gas exchange happens. This computational investigation looks at rare cells suspended in 3D red blood cell flow in symmetric and asymmetric bifurcations. We observe how the presence of a large rare cell, which flows through the wider daughter branch, impacts the red blood cell distribution in both branches. The model also allows us to quantitatively examine the fluid forces acting on the red blood cells and compare them in situations when a rare cell is and is not present.