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A new capillary viscometer for whole blood viscosimetry
G N Marinakis1, J C Barbenel, A C Fisher
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece. eiaa@otenet.gr
Biorheology
|February 26, 2000
Summary
A novel viscometer uses infrared sensors to measure whole blood viscosity across various shear stresses. This simple, fast device requires minimal sample volume but is limited to medium and high shear rates.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Fluid Dynamics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Accurate measurement of blood viscosity is crucial for understanding cardiovascular health.
- Existing viscometry methods can be complex, time-consuming, or require large sample volumes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a new capillary viscometer system for whole blood viscosity determination.
- To assess the performance and limitations of the developed viscometer.
Main Methods:
- Development of a capillary system with integrated infrared sensors.
- Utilizing capillary geometry and sample pressure head to define flow conditions.
- Applying power law fluid model and modified Mooney's formula for viscosity calculations.
Main Results:
- The new viscometer allows whole blood viscosity determination over a wide range of shear stresses.
- The system is user-friendly, requires a single run, has a short measurement time, and uses a small sample volume.
- The viscometer is effective for measurements at medium and high shear stresses.
Conclusions:
- The developed capillary viscometer offers a simple and efficient method for assessing whole blood viscosity.
- The device is particularly suitable for applications requiring measurements at medium to high shear rates.
- Further refinement may be needed to extend its utility to low shear stress measurements.