Unequal granular temperature model for motion of platelets to the wall and red blood cells to the center

• A kinetic theory based analytical solution for platelet concentration was obtained.
• The model explains the motion of platelets and RBCs in the opposite direction.
• The results agree with observations.
• Shear enhanced diffusivities are related to computed granular temperatures.
• Diffusivities alone do not explain the observed migration.

The experimentally measured motion of platelets to the wall and red blood cells to the center is explained by unequal granular temperature kinetic theory. The migration of platelets to walls of the blood vessels in the presence of red blood cells is caused by the high granular pressure produced by the random oscillations of the red blood cells and the dissipation of platelet random energy at the walls. At the wall the shear has the highest value. This produces a high granular pressure and temperature which drive the red blood cells towards the center. An analytical solution for the platelet concentration was derived.