# US 2018/0321124 A1 · Assembly for Measuring the Viscosity of Fluids Using Microchannels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0321124 A1 - Document ID: US20180321124A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/970,226 - Filed: 2018-05-03 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-04 - Assignees: University of Connecticut - Applicants: University of Connecticut - Inventors: George Lykotrafitis; Kostyantyn Partola - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180321124A1 ## CPC - G01N 11/08: by measuring pressure required to produce a known flow - G01N 11/06: by timing the outflow of a known quantity - G01N 33/49: Blood {(chemical methods for determining blood cell populations G01N33/5094; chemical analysis of blood groups or blood types G01N33/80)} - G01N 2011/0026: {Investigating specific flow properties of non-Newtonian fluids} - G01N 2011/008: {optical properties} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract The present disclosure provides improved viscosity measuring assemblies, and related methods of use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous measuring assemblies configured to measure the viscosity of samples/fluids (e.g., opaque or transparent liquids) using microchannels. The present disclosure provides for a viscosity measuring assembly (e.g., hand-held electronic measuring assembly) that is configured to measure the viscosity of samples/fluids (e.g., opaque or transparent Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids, including blood, etc.), in a short period of time (e.g., within a couple of minutes) utilizing only about a droplet of fluid. The viscosity measuring assembly can include a substrate having a microchannel, a light source (e.g., a collimated low coherence light source), and a sensor (e.g., photodiode). The micro-channeled substrate may be disposable, and some of the other components may be reusable since they are substantially not directly exposed to the sample during operation of the viscosity measuring assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A measuring assembly comprising: a substrate having a microchannel extending from a first end to a second end; a light source positioned over a top surface of the substrate; a sensor positioned under a bottom surface of the substrate; wherein the sensor is adapted to detect light from the light source through regions of the microchannel not containing a fluid sample to produce signals that are utilized to record after several time periods the progression of the fluid sample from the first end of the microchannel to determine the viscosity of the fluid sample. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid sample is an opaque or transparent liquid. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid sample is blood. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source is a collimated low coherence light source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the substrate is transparent. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a photodetector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a reverse-biased photodiode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source and the sensor are not directly exposed to the fluid sample during introduction of the fluid sample to the first end of the microchannel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid sample is about 500 μL or less. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a pressor sensor configured and adapted to measure the pressure inside the microchannel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a heating element mounted with respect to the substrate, wherein the heating element is configured and adapted to control the temperature of the fluid sample during the viscosity measurement. ### Claim 12 A measuring method comprising: providing a substrate having a microchannel extending from a first end to a second end; positioning a light source over a top surface of the substrate; positioning a sensor under a bottom surface of the substrate; introducing a fluid sample to the first end of the microchannel; and detecting light from the light source by the sensor through regions of the microchannel not containing the fluid sample to produce signals that are utilized to record how far along the microchannel the fluid sample has progressed after several time periods to determine the viscosity of the fluid sample. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the fluid sample is an opaque or transparent liquid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the fluid sample is blood. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the light source is a collimated low coherence light source. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the substrate is transparent. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the sensor is a photodetector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the sensor is a reverse-biased photodiode. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the light source and the sensor are not directly exposed to the fluid sample during introduction of the fluid sample to the first end of the microchannel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the fluid sample is about 500 μL or less. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising a pressor sensor configured and adapted to measure the pressure inside the microchannel. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising a heating element mounted with respect to the substrate, wherein the heating element is configured and adapted to control the temperature of the fluid sample during the viscosity measurement.