An analysis of blood flow at low shear rates in a concentric cylinder viscometer.

The flow within a concentric cylinder viscometer is analysed theoretically. A model for the whole blood is developed which takes account of the plastic properties of blood together with the effect of red cell migration. The results of the analysis indicate the possibility of a solid and liquid phase co-existing in the viscometer at sufficiently low shear rates. The effect of the migration of deformable aggregates within the blood away from solid boundaries is also considered and a correction technique for experiments is suggested.