Abstract: In order to produce easily a deformation in a cell population enabling the production of an optical diffraction pattern, a liquid containing a suspension, either homogeneous, or localized, is passed into a transparent tubular channel with a fixed wall in the form of a laminar flow, the beam passing through this channel perpendicularly. This method avoids the use of movable mechanical means for obtaining the conditions necessary for the deformation of the cells, and permits valuable indications to be obtained on the quality of the hemoglobin and the structure of the wall.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring the deformation capacity of microscopic objects, more particularly, red blood corpuscles includes an enclosure comprising two mobile, coaxial, cylindrical walls which can rotate relative to one another. The objects to be measured are put into a liquid suspension and then placed between the two walls. An optical system directs a beam of light through the suspension and the diffraction characteristics of the undeformed objects may be observed and recorded. The cylindrical walls are then driven at different rotational speeds with respect to their common axis, and the diffraction characteristics of the deformed objects are observed and recorded. The deformation of the microscopic objects can be determined as a function of the relative speed of the walls by comparing the diffraction characteristics of the objects in their undeformed and deformed states.