Ghost cells as a two-phase blood analog fluid – optical thrombus growth detection using particle image velocimetry

Ghost cells as a two-phase blood analog fluid – optical thrombus growth detection using particle image velocimetry | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Ghost cells as a two-phase blood analog fluid – optical thrombus growth detection using particle image velocimetry Benjamin J. Schürman, Pia Creutz, Thomas Schmitz-Rode, Ulrich Steinseifer, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6296914/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 17 Jun, 2025 Read the published version in Artificial Organs → Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract In-vitro thrombosis tests for mechanical circulatory support systems lack standardized ISO guidelines. A major limitation of current approaches is the absence of continuous thrombus monitoring, as terminated experiments at a single time point fail to capture the dynamic nature of thrombus formation. However, spatially resolved thrombus formation and its underlying dynamics are crucial for the optimization of mechanical circulatory support systems. In this study, we present a high-resolution thrombus monitoring approach using particle image velocimetry with a thrombogenic, two-phase blood analog fluid, designated as "ghost blood". Ghost blood consists of plasma and ghost cells, which are hemoglobin-depleted erythrocytes. We validate and quantify the particle image velocimetry with ghost blood and used this combination to monitor thrombus growth. The validation demonstrated velocity fields in the FDA-pump are consistent with existing literature, confirming the usability of ghost blood in particle image velocimetry. The use range of ghost blood is quantified as a formula to determine the maximum possible optical penetration depth. Finally, thrombus growth was successfully monitored in the FDA-pump. In this proof of principle study, we grew a thrombus in the FDA-pump and were able to monitor its growth from a first thrombus thread to a complete obstruction of the flow. This approach enabling both the localization and the temporal growth of the thrombus to be visualized and thereby provides a foundation for future advancements in thrombosis assessment and the optimization of mechanical circulatory support systems. particle image velocimetry thrombus growth monitoring resealed ghost cells translucent two-phase blood analog fluid Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 17 Jun, 2025 Read the published version in Artificial Organs → Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6296914","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":433291148,"identity":"bbeda334-7051-407e-82cf-17a6514d4d3f","order_by":0,"name":"Benjamin J. 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A major limitation of current approaches is the absence of continuous thrombus monitoring, as terminated experiments at a single time point fail to capture the dynamic nature of thrombus formation. However, spatially resolved thrombus formation and its underlying dynamics are crucial for the optimization of mechanical circulatory support systems.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this study, we present a high-resolution thrombus monitoring approach using particle image velocimetry with a thrombogenic, two-phase blood analog fluid, designated as \"ghost blood\". Ghost blood consists of plasma and ghost cells, which are hemoglobin-depleted erythrocytes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe validate and quantify the particle image velocimetry with ghost blood and used this combination to monitor thrombus growth. The validation demonstrated velocity fields in the FDA-pump are consistent with existing literature, confirming the usability of ghost blood in particle image velocimetry. 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