Patent ID: 6732574
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for measuring viscosity of a plurality of fluid samples, comprising the steps of:a) providing an instrument including: a three-axis robot being adapted for translation between a plurality of different samples; a tube associated with the robot including a first end and second end, the tube providing a flow path for the fluid samples, the tube having a predefined length terminating at the first end with a tip adapted for aspirating and dispensing the fluid samples; a barrel defining a reservoir in fluid communication with the tube, the barrel being connected to the tube via a hub; means for filling the reservoir with a fluid sample; means for flowing the fluid sample out of the reservoir; means for determining a pressure in the reservoir as the fluid sample flows out of the reservoir; data acquisition means for receiving information from the means for determining a pressure in the reservoir and communicating the information to a computer; b) filling the reservoir with a first fluid sample; c) flowing the first fluid sample out of the reservoir; d) determining the pressure in the reservoir as the first fluid sample is flowed out of the reservoir; e) calculating viscosity for the first fluid sample using the Hagen-Poiseulle equation.