Device and method for determining a rheological property of mucus

Method for determining a rheological property, such as viscosity or threadability, of mucus, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a device comprising:
• a housing having a circumferential surface defining an opening for receiving a quantity of the mucus, wherein the housing comprises a substantially tubular portion adjacent the opening for introducing the tubular portion into a body cavity of a user of the device,
• a probe extending within the tubular portion of the housing and having a tip for contacting at least a portion of the quantity of mucus,
• a displacement mechanism for displacing the tip of the probe in a direction away from the opening with respect to the housing, wherein the device is arranged for creating a thread of the mucus extending from the tip of the probe to the circumferential surface defining the opening while displacing the tip, and
• a measurement unit for measuring a displacement of the tip of the probe in the direction away from the opening, wherein the measurement unit comprises an electrical power source for generating an electrical current through the thread of the mucus, wherein the measurement unit is arranged for detecting break of the thread on the basis of the absence of the electrical current,
• applying a quantity of mucus to the opening of the housing of the device,
• contacting at least a portion of the quantity of the mucus with the tip of the probe,
• displacing the probe in a direction away from the opening,
• creating the thread of the mucus extending between a circumferential surface defining the opening and the tip of the probe while displacing the tip,
• measuring a displacement of the tip of the probe in the direction away from the opening,
• detecting break of the thread of the mucus on the basis of the absence of the electrical current through the thread of the mucus, and
• determining an elongation of the mucus at break on the basis of the displacement of the tip of the probe.