Microfluidic Platform for Stroke Risk Prediction: Evaluation of Blood Viscosity by Shear Rate Variations

The incidence of stroke is on the rise globally, affecting one in every four individuals each year. An early warning and prevention systems are urgently required. Blood viscosity is a correlation factor that is worthy to study in the stroke risk evaluation model. For the first time, a microfluidic platform was used as the in-vitro blood property evaluation for stroke risk prediction. It can be also used to evaluate the variation of non-Newtonian fluid viscosity under different specific shear rate conditions. The rigorous microarray design is providing the meticulous shear rate which simulating the variable of blood viscosity during pulsation within blood vessels. Furthermore, the systolic blood viscosity (SBV) and diastolic blood viscosity (DBV) can be calculated by using the developed pulsatility flow concept. The results demonstrate an impressive accuracy of 95% and excellent reproducibility while compared to traditional viscometers and rheometer within the human blood viscosity range of 1-10cP. This monitoring system is capable of being an indispensable component in the stroke risk evaluation platform.