The sicklomat mimics conditions experienced by RBC in vivo. RBC are exposed to a gas mixture in a spinning incubator. Spinning cycles result a very thin layer of RBC in solution to allow rapid gas equilibration. Cells are collected automatically at specific points in time, and deposited into a fraction collector. At these timepoints, cell morphology is fixed for assessment by microscopy or image flowcytometry. 

The instrument is used to measure sickling kinetics under low oxygen in vitro as well as evaluate the effects of repeated cycles of oxygenation/deoxygenation in vitro to mimic the conditions that (sickle) RBC experience in their travel from lung to tissue and back.

The sicklomat can be used for pre-clinical studies to determine the effect of in vitro incubation with anti-sickling compounds as well as compounds that will affect different aspects of RBC biology and its effect on RBC characteristics including changes in membrane, hemolysis, or particle formation (membrane dust).

Air and nitrogen from the gas cylinders is fed to the flowmeters and to valve V1. Valve V2 determines flow from either flow meters or valve V1 to the PO2 electrode. The flow meters determine the ratio of air and nitrogen to flow to valve V2. The software regulated valve V1 lets either 100% nitrogen or 100% air to flow to valve V2. 

The PO2 electrode measures % O2 in the mixture and the  gas mix of air and nitrogen is humidified and cells are exposed in a spinning incubator. The gas mix is also supplied through a flow restrictor F1 and valve V3 to a buffer. At set time points, cells are collected,  mixed at the mix T with the buffer and pumped towards a fraction collector.  When the buffer contains fixative the shape of the cells is maintained for morphology assessment.