Sequential imaging and analysis of erythrocyte aggregation

An imaging technique for erythrocyte aggregation analysis under dynamic conditions is developed. A well-mixed erythrocyte suspension in plasma (hematocrit 5%) is placed in a glass micro-chamber (100 /spl mu/m thick) wherein the erythrocytes form three-dimensional aggregate structures, which sediment under gravitational field. During this process a sequence of images of aggregates at various time intervals are recorded. By computerized analysis of these images the aggregation process is quantified in terms of area, perimeter and size distribution. The results obtained by this method are not only in agreement with optical techniques but also provide the visual details of the aggregation process in health and diseases.