An Investigation of Particle Flow Through Capillary Models With the Resistive Pulse Technique

The use of the resistive pulse technique for the measurement of microsphere and red cell transit times through single-pore “Nuclepore” membranes (with pore diameters of 3.5 to 7.0 μm and pore length of approximately 11 μm) is described. The investigation of the fluid mechanics and electrical characteristics of the experimental system provides methods for the determination of particle and cell size, and entrance and transit times. Experimental measurement of the position dependent velocity of spherical particles through the pore shows close agreement with theoretical models. Red cell size and transit time through different sized pores at physiological shear stresses is also measured.