Plasma skimming in vascular trees: numerical estimates of symmetry recovery lengths.

A new model of plasma skimming in vascular trees that includes the history of disturbances at previous bifurcations is developed. The model calculates the shift in the red blood cell concentration profile by mapping streamlines through the junction; it then computes the dissipation of that disturbance through random collisions among the cells. A numerical solution of this model is compared to experimental data on plasma skimming in serial bifurcations. Numerical values of symmetry recovery lengths downstream of the bifurcation are calculated using the model. Comparison of the computed symmetry recovery lengths with anatomical measurements in hamster cremaster muscle indicate that asymmetries in red blood cell concentration profiles are important in vessels with diameters below 55 microns.