Embodiments of a system and method for deforming a can include a substrate including an inlet module and an outlet module; a fluidic pathway coupled to the inlet module and the outlet module, and including a sample branch operable to transmit the sample fluid; one or more sheath fluid branches flanking the sample branch and operable to transmit sheath having a sheath fluid viscosity higher than a sample fluid viscosity of the sample fluid; a delivery region initiating at a junction between the sample branch and the one or more sheath fluid branches, and operable to transmit a co-flow comprising the sample fluid and the sheath fluid; and a deformation region located downstream of the delivery region and operable to deform the one or more particles of the sample fluid based upon a reduced velocity of the sheath fluid with respect to the sample fluid in the co-flow.