The release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from red blood cells (RBCs) flowing through PDMS microchannels has been determined as a function of channel cross-sectional area using a design containing a channel that narrows uniformly. ATP, released from the RBCs in response to the mechanical deformation of their cell membranes, increased as the channel cross-section decreased. One sample of rabbit RBCs released 1.16±0.11, 1.92±0.14 and 2.09±0.10μM ATP as the median cross-sectional area decreased from 4314 to 3192 to 2052μm 2 , respectively. Numerous samples (n=6) displayed the same trend. Incubating a sample of RBCs with diamide, a substance known to stiffen cell membranes without harming the cell cytosol, provided evidence that no cell lysis occurred in the microchip device. This novel use of lab-on-a-chip technology allows for channel designs that enable an in vitro study of physiological events that occur in the microcirculation.