Processes and devices for determining properties of viscous fluids

A device for determining the properties of bodily mucus comprising:

• a. a pair of separable cooperating members, each said member having a working face defining a bearing surface characterized by non-planar elongated ridge increments characterized by ridge lines, said bearing surfaces in face to face relationship define a plurality of regions adapted to contain a fluid sample, said ridge lines of one of the bearing surfaces being crossed with respect to said ridge lines of the other of the bearing surfaces to intersect in a matrix of points, the surface area of said regions being greater that the surface area of the interface between said bearing surfaces;
• and
• b. indicating means operatively connected to at least one of said members for providing an indication of the force required to separate said members when said regions contain a fluid sample, the force required to separate said fluid sample at said interface defining the viscoelastic properties of said fluid.