earticle

영어

This research explores the mechanical behavior of whole blood as a shear-thinning fluid and examines yield stress as a crucial parameter for evaluating flow properties in the microvasculature. While previous studies have primarily focused on whole blood viscosity (WBV), this study presents an engineering-based approach to quantitatively evaluate the yield stress of non-Newtonian whole blood using a U-shaped capillary tube. A custom-designed scanning capillary tube, incorporating a biocompatible U-shaped capillary channel, was employed to determine whole blood viscosity (WBV) across shear rates from 1 to 1,000 s⁻1. Yield stress was estimated by extrapolating the shear stress-shear rate relationship using a non-Newtonian shear-thinning flow model. The analysis revealed a strong cubic correlation between hematocrit and yield stress, suggesting an increased risk of flow impairment in the microvasculature with elevated hematocrit levels. This work emphasizes the critical influence of yield stress in regulating microvascular blood flow, particularly under low-shear conditions.