Figure 3. Characterization of margination efficiency.

(a) DAPI fluorescence imaging at the bifurcation exit. The fluorescently labeled iRBCs with 5% parasitemia level (~20% ring, ~80% schizont) are marginated effectively toward the sidewalls of the microchannel. (b) The parasitemia enhancement factor, PEF at various flow rates for 1% ring iRBCs. Increasing the flow rate per channel from 1–10 μL min⁻¹ does not affect the PEF substantially. Therefore, the flow rate could be increased to improve the throughput of the margination system. (c)–(e) Margination results for (c) ring, (d) trophozoite, and (e) schizont. The parasitemia levels of the iRBCs at the side outlets are significantly higher than the middle outlets for all infection stages. In other words, the middle outlet is depleted of iRBCs, while the side outlet is enriched with iRBCs. (f) Comparison of parasitemia enrichment factor for ring, trophozoite and schizont. As the stiffness of iRBCs increases exponentially as the infection stage progresses from ring to trophozoite and schizont, the margination efficiency also increases exponentially, 1.9 ± 0.2, 4.1 ± 0.8, and 32.1 ± 7.6, for ring, trophozoite, and schizont, respectively.