Patent ID: 6322524
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: A61B,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for effecting the viscosity measurement of circulating blood in a living being, said apparatus comprising:a lumen arranged to be coupled to the vascular system of the being;a pair of tubes having respective first ends coupled to said lumen for receipt of circulating blood from the being, one of said pair of tubes comprising a capillary tube having some known parameters;a valve for controlling the flow of circulating blood from the being's vascular system to said pair of tubes; andan analyzer, coupled to said valve, for controlling said valve to permit the flow of blood into said pair of tubes whereupon the blood in each of said pair of tubes assumes a respective initial position with respect thereto, said analyzer also being arranged for operating said valve to isolate said pair of tubes from the being's vascular system and for coupling said pair of tubes together so that the position of the blood in said pair of tubes changes, said analyzer also being arranged for monitoring the blood position change in said tubes and calculating the viscosity of the blood based thereon.