Model geometries for sickled erythrocytes (Q1091969)

Proposed model geometries are described for three types of axisymmetric and four types of flattened sickled erythrocytes. The axisymmetric types are designated as concave-convex, convex-convex and parabolic, while the flattened types carry designations of concave-convex, convex-convex, parabolic and S-shaped. Formulae are provided for the volume and surface area of each type and a figure showing the profile of each is included. Measurements of actual sickled cells in vitro could be used to find values for the volume and surface area of each type of cell by using parameter values for the appropriate model geometry. These would give close approximations that could be useful in clinical therapies and laboratory investigations for sickle cell anemia. Surface area to volume ratios can also be found to a close approximation for each cell type.