Patent ID: 6393898
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring viscosity or related properties of fluid samples in parallel, the apparatus comprising:a frame; a plurality of tubes, each having a first end and second end, providing flow paths for the fluid samples, each of the tubes having a predefined length terminating at the first end with a tip adapted for aspirating a sample from a sample holder and a substantially uniform inner diameter over at least a portion of the pre-defined length; a plurality of reservoirs each in fluid communication with one of the plurality of tubes, and being connected therewith via a hub; an assembly attached to the frame adapted for receiving said tubes and securing them in place relative to the frame; a mechanism adapted for filling the reservoirs with the fluid samples; and a device adapted for determining volumetric flow rates of fluid samples flowing from the reservoirs and through the plurality of tubes simultaneously; wherein the apparatus is capable of measuring viscosity of related properties of at least five fluid samples simultaneously.