Abstract
A comparison has been made between reusable silver (Selas) and disposable polycarbonate (Nuclepore) membranes of 5 µm pore diameter as used for erythrocyte filtration (deformability) measurements in the initial-flow-rate (Hémorhéomètre) method. The two types of membrane showed similar sensitivity to sickle cells, erythrocytes containing Heinz bodies, glutaraldehyde-treated erythrocytes, and erythrocytes in hyperosmolar media. The silver membrane was, however, more sensitive to erythrocyte changes induced by heat or by storage under blood bank conditions. Conversely, it was insensitive to the presence of contaminating leucocytes in the test erythrocyte suspension. A high degree of precision was obtained with the reusable silver membrane which has considerable potential for the development of quality assurance programmes in rheology.
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