Oxygen transport in 10 microns artificial capillaries.

In order to further define the influence of microvessel diameter on intraluminal oxygen transport a previously described in vitro artificial capillary system was modified from a vessel diameter of 25 microns to 10 microns. Oxygen uptake and release rates were measured for hemoglobin solutions and red blood cell (Rbc) suspensions of the same overall hemoglobin concentration (10 g/dl). The modified apparatus was tested by comparing data for the hemoglobin solutions with predictive simulations from a validated mathematical model of oxygen transport. Preliminary data for oxygen uptake by Rbc suspensions flowing in 10 microns diameter capillaries are presented. As observed previously oxygen uptake is faster in hemoglobin solutions than in Rbc suspensions.