Methods and systems for using actuated surface-attached posts for assessing biofluid rheology

A system for testing properties of a biofluid specimen, comprising:

• a micropost array having a plurality of microposts extending outwards from a substrate and into a biofluid specimen located on the substrate, wherein each micropost includes a proximal end attached to the substrate and a distal end opposite the proximal end;
• an actuation unit for generating an actuation force in proximity to the micropost array to actuate the microposts, thereby compelling at least some of the microposts to exhibit motion;
• a motion detection unit for measuring the motion of at least one of the at least some microposts in response to the actuation force;
• and
• a processing unit for determining a property of the specimen based on the measured motion of the at least one micropost.

A computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions that when executed by a processor of a computer control the computer to perform steps comprising:

• generating an actuation force in proximity to a micropost array, having a plurality of microposts extending outwards from a substrate, wherein each micropost includes a proximal end attached to the substrate and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and wherein the micropost array includes a biofluid specimen, so as to compel at least some of the microposts to exhibit motion;
• measuring the motion of at least one of the at least some microposts in response to the actuation force;
• and
• determining a property of the specimen based on the measured motion of the at least one micropost.