Biomedical measurement methods used for the determination of surface morphology of red blood cells: Quantitative phase imaging, AFM and SEM

The aim of this study is to compare biomedical measurement techniques used for the determination of the surface profiles of red blood cells which are quantitative phase imaging, AFM (atomic force microscopy) and SEM (scanning electron microscopy). From the fringe projection profilometry, which is an optical measurement technique, with nanometer precision (micrometer range) images were obtained by white ligth diffraction phase microscopy (WDPM) setup and analyzed by Fourier transform. With this system, obtained results were 3D and dynamic structure. Surface measurements of red blood cells were also imaged with AFM and SEM. The advantages and disadvantages of these three methods, which are frequently used in biomedical measurements, are discussed on the resulting images.