KR20010023392A - Viscosity measuring apparatus and method of use - Google Patents

Abstract

Blood viscosity measurement systems and methods monitor the elevation of the head of a fluid column representing blood in vivo of an organism to determine blood viscosity over a wide range of shear forces. The system includes a capillary tube having at least a portion located in the vascular system of the organism and a vertical tube having a liquid connected to the capillary tube. A microprocessor connected with the sensor provides from the measured viscosity to determine the change in the height of the liquid in the vertical tube at multiple locations along the length of the tube.

Description

Viscosity measuring apparatus and method of use

Background of the Invention

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for measuring the viscosity of liquids and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for measuring the viscosity of blood in living organisms over a wide range of shear forces.

The importance of determining the viscosity of blood is known. Janel et al. Fibrogen, Viscosity and White Blood Cell Count Are Major Risk Factors for Ischemic Heart Disease, Circulation, Vol. 83, No. 3, March 1991; Postprandial Changes in Plasma and Serum Viscosity and Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins After an Acute Test Meal, American Journal for Clinical Nutrition, 65: 36-40, 1997; Studies of Plasma Viscosity in Primary Hyperlipoproteinaemia, Atherosclerosis 28, 29-40, 1977 by Leonard et al .; Effects of Lipoproteins on Plasma Viscosity, Atherosclerosis 38, 89-95, 1981; Hyperviscosity Syndrome in a Hypercholesterolemic Patient with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, Gastroenterology, Vol. 98, No. 5, 1990; Blood Viscosity and Risk of Cardiovascular Events: the Edinburgh Artery Study, British Journal of Hematology, 96, 168-171, 1997; Blood Rheology Associated with Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Chronic Cardiovascular Disease: Results of an Epidemiologic Cross-Sectional Study, Angiology, The Journal of Vascular Diseases, November 1988; Importance of Blood Viscoelasticity in Arteriosclerosis, Angiology, The Journal of Vascular Dieseases, June 1989; Thermal Method for Continuous Blood-Velocity Measurements in Large Blood Vessels and Cardiac-Output Determination, Medical and Biological Engineering, Vol. 11, No. 2 March 1973; Fluid Mechanics in Atherosclerosis, Handbook of Bioengineering, Chapter 21, 1985.

Much effort has been made to develop devices and methods for determining the viscosity of blood. Theory and Design of Disposable Clinical Blood Viscometer, Biorheology, 25, 697-712, 1988; Automated Measurement of Plasma Viscosity by Capillary Viscometer, Journal of Clinical Pathology 41, 1213-1216, 1988; A Novel Computerized Viscometer / Rheometer, by Jimenez and Costic, Rev. Scientific Instruments 65, Vol 1, January 1994; A New Instrument for the Measurement of Plasma-Viscosity, The Lancet, pp. 280-281, August 10, 1963 by John Halknis; Blood Viscosity and Raynaud's Disease, The Lancet, pp. 1086-1089, May 22, 1965; Measurement of Blood Viscosity Using a Conicylindrical Viscometer, Medical and Biological Engineering, pp. 551-557, September 1976.

In addition, there are a number of patents relating to apparatus and methods for measuring blood viscosity. See, for example, US Pat. No. 3,342,063 to Sims et al .; 3,720,097 (cron); 3,999,538 (filpot, junior); No. 4,083,363 (Pilpot); 4,149,405 (Ring Grouse); 4,165,632 to Weber et al .; No. 4,517,830 (tendon, etc.); 4,519,239 (Kieswet et al.); 4,554,821 (Kieswet et al.); 4,858,127 (Cron et al.); 4,884,577 (meryl); 4,947,678 (Horri et al.); 5,181,415 (Svan et al.); 5,257,529 (Taniguchi et al.), 5,271,398 (scrane et al.); And 5,447,440 to Davis et al.

The Sims' 063 patent discloses a device for measuring the viscosity of a blood sample based on the pressure detected in a conduit containing the blood sample. Kron's' 097 patent discloses a method and apparatus for determining blood viscosity using a rheometer, a pressure source and a pressure transducer. Fillpot's' 538 patent discloses a method of determining blood viscosity by recovering blood from venous and recovered volumes of blood at constant pressure for a predetermined time. Fillpot's' 363 patent discloses a device for determining blood viscosity using hollow needles, means for recovering and collecting blood from the veins through the hollow needles, devices for measuring negative pressure and timing devices. Ringgrouse's' 405 patent discloses a method for measuring the viscosity of blood by placing a sample on a support, detecting a beam of light through the sample, and then detecting reflected light while vibrating the support at a given frequency and amplitude. do. Weber's' 632 patent describes the flow of blood by drawing blood through a capillary measuring cell to the reservoir and by returning blood through the tube with a pressure difference between the end of the capillary directly related to a constant outflow rate and blood viscosity. Disclosed are a method and apparatus for determining. Gun's' 830 patent provides a transparent hollow tube, a needle at one end, a plunger to extract and vacuum a predetermined amount at the other end, and a perforated weight that can move inside the tube and gravity at a speed that is a function of the viscosity of the blood. Disclosed is an apparatus for determining blood viscosity using a member. The Kiesetweer '239 patent discloses an apparatus for determining the flow shear stress of a suspension, mainly blood, using a measurement chamber consisting of a moving structure that simulates the microcirculation of natural capillary passages in living organisms. The Kieseter's' 821 patent discloses another device for determining the viscosity of a fluid, in particular blood, which is combined with a flow rate measuring device for measuring flow at one of the branches for determining blood viscosity. Involves the use of two parallel branches of the flow loop. Kron's' 127 patent discloses an apparatus and method for determining blood viscosity of a blood sample over a wide range of shear rates. Merrill's' 577 patent discloses an apparatus and method for determining the blood viscosity of a blood sample using a hollow column for exchanging fluid with a chamber comprising a porous bed and means for measuring blood flow rates within the column. Hori's' 678 patent discloses a method of measuring viscosity change in blood by placing a temperature sensor in the blood flow and stimulating the blood to change the viscosity. Svan's' 415 patent discloses a device for detecting a change in the viscosity of a blood sample based on the relative slip of the driving and driven elements supporting the blood sample being rotated. Taniguchi's' 529 patent uses a pair of vertically-aligned tubes connected to each other through fine tubes while using a pressure sensor that measures the change in internal tube pressure as time travels and changes in blood flow rate. , For example, methods and apparatus for determining the viscosity of a blood sample. Bedingham's' 328 patent discloses an intravascular blood parameter sensing system using a catheter and probe with multiple sensors (e.g., O ₂ sensor, CO ₂ sensor, etc.) to measure specific blood parameters in vivo. Initiate. Skrane's 398 patent discloses an internal-tube method and apparatus for detecting undesirable wall effects in blood parameter sensors and for operating such sensors to reduce or eliminate wall effects. Davis '' 440 patent discloses an apparatus for performing a number of assays that respond to changes in the viscosity of a sample fluid, eg, blood.

Apparatuses and methods for measuring the viscosity of common fluids are known. See, for example, US Pat. No. 1,810,992 (Dalwitz-Wigner); 2,343,061 (Irae); 2,696,734 (Brunstrum et al.); 2,700,891 (Schaefer); 2,934,944 (Eolkin); 3,071,961 (Hagle et al.); 3,116,630 (pyros); 3,137,161 (Lewis et al.); 3,138,950 (Wellty et al.); 3,277,694 (Canon et al.); 3,286,511 (Hakness); 3,435,665 (Gentis); 3,520,179 (lead); 3,604,247 (Grammine et al.); 3,666,999 (Moreland, Jr., etc.); 3,680,362 (Gideth et al.); 3,699,804 (Gasman et al.); 3,713,328 (Aritomy); 3,782,173 (Ban Besem et al.); 3,864,962 (Stark et al.); 3,908,441 (logoget); 3,952,577 (Hyes et al.); 3,990,295 (Lenovanz et al.); 4,149,405 (Ring Grouse); 4,302,965 (Johnson et al.); 4,426,878 (Price et al.); No. 4,432,761 (Dawe); No. 4,616,503 (plungis, etc.); 4,637,250 (Aerbin, Junior, etc.); 4,680,957 (Dod); 4,680,958 (Ruel et al.); No. 4,750,351 (ball); 4,856,322 (Langrick et al.); 4,899,575 (Chew et al.); 5,142,899 (Park et al.); 5,222,497 (Ono); 5,224,375 (oil, etc.); 5,257,529 (Taniguchi et al.); 5,327,778 (Park); And 5,365,776 to Lechman et al.

The following United States patents disclose viscosity or flow measurement devices or liquid level detection devices using optical monitors: US Pat. No. 3,908,441 (Bloguet); 5,099,698 (case, etc.); No. 5,333,497 (Brand Dag A et al.). Vulroguet's' 441 patent discloses an apparatus using a viscometer to detect the level of a liquid in a transparent tube using photodetection. The '698 patent in the case discloses an apparatus for optically scanning a rotameter flow meter and determining stray positions within them. Brand Dag A '497 patent discloses a method and apparatus for continuously measuring the liquid flow rate of two vertical tubes by a charge connected device (CCD) sensor.

US Patent No. 5,421,328 (bending) discloses a blood parameter sensing system in a blood vessel.

Registered invention, H93 (Mater et al.), Discloses an apparatus and method for measuring the extensional viscosity of a test fluid using a movie camera or a video camera to monitor a drop of fluid in a test.

The following documents discuss red blood cell transformation and / or the devices used to determine it: Measurement of Human Red Blood Cell Deformability Using a Single Micropore on a Thin Si ₃ N ₄ Film, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering by Ogura et al. , Vol. 38, No. 8, August 1991; the Pall BPF4 High Efficiency Leukocyte Removal Blood Processing Filter System, Pall Biomedical Products Corporation, 1993.

Despite the presence of the above techniques, there remains a need for an apparatus and method for obtaining the viscosity of blood in vivo of an organism to provide data regarding in vivo blood viscosity over a range of shear forces and in a short time.

Purpose of the Invention

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method that meets the needs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a viscosity measuring apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of various fluids, for example blood, at shear forces over a full range.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of a fluid, for example blood in vivo, without the need to measure pressure, flow and volume directly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the viscosity of the blood of the organism in a short time.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for measuring the viscosity of blood in living organisms with minimal invasion.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for measuring the viscosity of blood in an organism that does not require the use of anticoagulants or other chemical or biologically active substances.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for measuring the in vivo blood viscosity of an organism comprising a disposable portion to maintain a sterile environment that is easy to use and repeat the test.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a blood viscosity measuring apparatus and method for determining the thixotropic point of blood.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a viscosity measuring apparatus and method that can be used to determine the viscosity of other materials.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for determining the effect of vibrational energy on blood viscosity of an organism.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for applying vibrational energy to a living body to effect a beneficial change in human blood viscosity.

Summary of the Invention

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method which are effective for in vivo measurement of the viscosity of blood (or plasma) of an organism or for measuring the viscosity of other non-Newtonian fluids, cosmetics, oils, greases and the like at shear rates. Is achieved.

According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a blood sampling means and a measuring means. Blood sampling means, for example in an arrangement, for example in a vein, to be positioned in vivo such that at least a portion of the capillary tube having a predetermined internal diameter and a predetermined length is exposed to the blood of the organism, for example blood flows through them. Will be located. Measuring means, for example a vertical tube with a liquid column, a combined CCD sensor and a microprocessor, are connected to the blood sampling means. The metrology means is arranged to determine the viscosity of the biological blood at multiple shear rates.

For example, in one exemplary aspect of the present invention, the device selectively arranges measurement means, eg, blood sampling means, eg, capillaries, connected to a vertical tube, to change the height of the fluid column under the influence of gravity. Thereby to determine the viscosity of the blood of the organism by selectively connecting the flow of blood between them, for example by selectively passing blood through a capillary and into a liquid column in a vertical tube. . Measuring means, for example CCD sensors and connected microprocessors, monitor the varying heights of the fluid column at multiple locations along at least a portion of the length of the riser and calculate the viscosity of the blood in accordance with a predetermined calculation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, vibration energy, for example, energy of which amplitude and / or frequency are adjustable, is determined before and after determining the blood viscosity of an organism to provide information regarding the effect of such vibration energy on the viscosity of blood. And / or applied to a portion of the body during the determination. This information can be used to provide vibratory energy therapy for the living body to alter the blood viscosity of the organism for the purpose of improving blood circulation.

Description of the Drawings

Other objects and many advantages of the present invention will be readily understood when considered in conjunction with the following appended drawings, with reference to the following detailed description.

1A and 1B show a description and functional diagram of one embodiment of a system for measuring the viscosity of human blood in vivo;

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a portion of the system shown in FIG. 1, ie, a portion of the blood receiving and monitoring means;

FIG. 2B is an isometric view of another portion of the system shown in FIG. 1, ie, an exemplary test site; FIG.

3 is an illustration of the structure and function of blood receiving means;

FIG. 4 is a graph of the parameters measured by the system shown in FIG. 1, ie, the “head” of a fluid column written over time; FIG.

5A-5G are illustrations showing an operation sequence of a part of the system shown in FIG. 1;

6 is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of the system, ie the capillary;

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 but showing another embodiment of a capillary;

FIG. 8A is similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 but showing another embodiment of the capillary;

8B is an enlarged cross sectional view along line 8B-8B in FIG. 8A;

9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a capillary;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view through a portion of the components shown in FIG. 3, including a buffer piston at the blood / delivery fluid interface to separate the organism's blood from the means, eg, the delivery fluid used by the system;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a portion of the system shown in FIG. 1, ie sensor means;

12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sensor means along line 12-12 in FIG. 2A;

13 is an illustration of a scale test machine for use of the system of FIG. 1; And

FIG. 14 is a graph similar to FIG. 4 showing the head of a fluid column written over time to show thixotropic properties of blood.

Detailed description of the invention

To describe in detail the various structures of the figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts, and a liquid viscosity measurement system constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown at 20 in FIGS. 1A and 1B. System 20 has particular utility for measuring in vivo the viscosity of blood of an organism.

Although device 20 has many uses, a preferred embodiment of device 20 is used to measure the viscosity of blood anywhere in the patient's vasculature, such as veins, arteries, pulmonary systems, left atrium, or left ventricle. .

It should be understood that blood is a non-Newtonian fluid. Newtonian fluids can be defined as having a viscosity that does not vary with shear rate in the non-turbulent range, while non-Newtonian fluids such as blood exhibit varying viscosity depending on the shear rate in the non-turbulent range. As a result, when the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid is recorded as a function of the shear rate, a curve is obtained instead of a straight line. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the viscosity at a wide range of shear forces in order to obtain an accurate determination of blood viscosity.

The concept of the present invention is to monitor, in a substantially continuous base, the rising head of an externally located fluid column connected to a portion of the patient's body through which blood flows, thereby effectively monitoring the patient's in vivo blood. The data from this ascent head is used to calculate the viscosity of the blood at many multiple locations while the column is rising at various different flow rates, thereby providing the viscosity of the blood over a wide range of shear forces. Monitoring the rising column solves the problem of how to generate the range of shear forces needed to accurately measure blood viscosity.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the device 20 consists essentially of blood sampling means 22 and measurement means 24 connected to one another to provide a viscosity measurement. The blood sampling means 22 comprises a catheter 26 and in a preferred embodiment comprises a capillary tube. The catheter 26 has an internal diameter D ₁ and a length L ₁ . The catheter 26 is introduced into an internal location 30 (eg, vein, artery, etc.) of the body 28 of the organism (patient) to allow blood 31 to flow to the catheter 26. The catheter 26 therefore acts as a blood receiving means. Catheter 26 is connected via conduit 32 to conduit means 34 having an internal diameter D ₂ . The first valve means 36 (eg a three-way valve) optionally connects the injection means 38 and the conduit means 34. The injection means 38 can be used to color the delivery fluid so that when injected into the indicator or conduit means 34, which can be monitored (eg, optimally monitored optimal dye is maximally readable by the optical sensor). A reservoir 40 for receiving a transfer fluid 41 (eg, a saline solution, a liquid such as an alcohol or other sterile water-type liquid) forming a fluid column 42 (described later). . The other end of the conduit means 34 is connected to the vertical conduit 44. The hollow interior of the riser 44 forms a lumen that allows the level of the fluid column 42 to be detected as a function of time. The vertical pipe 44 has an inner diameter D ₃ . The upper end of the riser 44 comprises a second valve means 46 (eg a two-way valve) which allows air to pass through the riser 44 when the valve 46 is opened. The first valve means 36 and the second valve means 46 preferably comprise hydrophobic vents (not shown) to eliminate blood outflow.

It should be understood that the optimal selection of tube sizes of capillary 26, conduit means 34 and vertical tube 44 can minimize the effects of viscosity and interfacial tension of delivery fluid 41. It should also be understood that capillary 26 is preferably inserted into the vasculature so that the capillary 26 is fully inserted into the vasculature, ie the extension of the conduit means 34 with diameter D ₂ is placed in the vasculature.

The fluid column 42 is monitored by the monitoring means 48. The monitoring means 48 comprises a charge coupling device comprising a combined electricity of FIG. 11, a CCD and a coupled power source (eg, the coupled electricity of FIG. 11) connected to a microprocessor means 52 (eg a personal computer). Circuit 51), and also includes appropriate diagnostic software 54. The monitoring means 48 monitor the height of the fluid column 42 rising through the length of the vertical tube 44 during testing or operation to determine the blood viscosity of the patient.

Peripheral indicator means 56, for example visual display 58, metrology means 60, printer 62, provide data and / or plots including viscosity / shear velocity measurements. In addition, the modem 64 can be connected to the monitoring means 48 to provide all relevant data to any distant area, for example via the Internet or the World Wide Web 66.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, visual display 58 and / or printer 62 presents a description of a plot of measured parameters such as viscosity versus shear force or viscosity versus height of fluid column ("head") or diagnostics. Is provided for. The measuring means 60 is used to numerically indicate such items, for example, specific shear forces at the thixotropic point and / or viscosity at the head when the velocity of the fluid column is zero. do. Viscosity / shear rate data may be stored in microprocessor means 52 and compared with database 54 (in a combined CD-ROM, diskette or PC card) to provide a possible diagnosis to the physician. .

2A depicts a portion of the implementation of system 20. As shown the injection means 38, a portion of the conduit means 34, the first valve means 36, the vertical pipe 44 and the second valve means 46 to form the tube assembly 69. It is mounted on the support plate 68. The tube assembly 69 is configured such that the housing 70 made of the sensor means 50 and the power circuit 51 is movably mounted therein. The support plate 68 is mounted in the housing 7 with a suitable connection to place the vertical tube 44 perpendicularly and vice versa to the sensor means 50 for proper monitoring. In addition, a suitable valve adjustment connection 72 is made during insertion of the tube assembly 69 such that the first valve means 36 and the second valve means 46 can in turn be appropriately adjusted automatically. The position pin 73 and the position hole 75 are provided such that the support plate 68 is properly aligned, whereby the vertical tube 44 is arranged on the sensor means 50 oppositely. The support plate 68 is made of a transparent material so that the sensor means 50 can optically monitor the fluid column 42. It should be understood that the injection means 38 is prefilled with the delivery fluid 41 mooring the reservoir 40 by means of a three-way valve 36. Only when valve 36 is properly oriented, delivery fluid 41 flows out of injection means 38 and into conduit means 34.

When the tube assembly 69 is retained in the housing 70, the door 74 is releasable to create a sufficiently dark environment to support proper column illumination 76 and level detection by the sensor means 50 during operation. It may be releasably closed. Once the viscosity measurement progress or operation is complete, the tube assembly 69 is removed and separated from the capillary tube 26 and discarded. A new tube assembly 69 is connected to the capillary 26 and reinstalled into the housing 70 for further testing.

The first valve means 36 and the second valve means 46 are those which can be adjusted manually. That is, according to the broadest scope of the present invention, it should be understood that proper operation of the device 20 does not require automatic adjustment of the first valve means 36 and the second valve means 46.

An exemplary test site is shown in FIG. 2B. Although the capillary 26 of the device 20 is shown inserted in the patient's arm, it should be understood that the device 20 is not limited to being used for the arm in the patient's body. Such other test site arrangements may be used in which the capillary 26 is inserted into another part of the patient's body to allow blood to flow into the capillary 26. At the test site shown in FIG. 2B, the patient 78 sits with his / her arm positioned on the horizontal surface 80. The capillary tube 26 is inserted through the skin into the patient's arm so that its end, preferably its full length L ₁ , is placed in the desired vessel, for example a vein. Conduit means 34 connects the capillary 26 to the housing 70. The housing 70 is releasably disposed on a fixed vertical surface 82. The vertical surface 82 consists of adjusting means 84 which manually position the entire housing 70 in the vertical direction and then releasably secure any desired vertical height. An important point is that the operator can change the relative vertical point of the housing 70 relative to the vertical point of the body part of the patient in which the capillary 26 is inserted for reasons which can be understood next. Microprocessor means 52, visual display 58 and printer 62 are also shown at the test site.

3 is a functional diagram of the apparatus 20. According to FIG. 3, the basic operation of the apparatus 20 is shown in FIG. 3. As the blood 31 flows through the capillary 26 into the conduit means 34, the blood 31 encounters the delivery fluid 41 and displaces the delivery fluid 41 up into the vertical tube 44. Thus, the fluid column 42 is formed. The sensor means 50 (e.g. CCD array) detects the fluid at the actual time by detecting the interface between the top of the delivery fluid column 42 and the gas (e.g. air) above the fluid in the upright tube. Monitor the rise of column 42. This optical interface (eg meniscus) is easily detected by the sensor means 50. The operation of the first valve means 36 and the second valve means 46 is discussed below.

In particular, if the following assumptions are made:

D ₁ is much smaller than D ₂ ; And

If D ₁ is much smaller than D ₃ ,

The viscosity of the blood in the capillary 26 (η ₁ (t)) and the shear rate γ ₁ (t) are given as follows:

From here

eta ₁ (t) represents the viscosity;

γ ₁ (t) represents the shear rate;

ρ _s represents the density of the transfer fluid or the indicator fluid;

g represents a gravity constant;

t represents measurement time;

D ₁ represents the inner diameter of the capillary;

L ₁ represents the length of the capillary;

D ₃ represents the inner diameter of the column of the delivery fluid or indicator fluid;

h _∞ represents the final height of the column of delivery fluid or indicator fluid; And

h (t) represents the instantaneous height of the column of the delivery fluid or indicator fluid.

The viscosity of the blood, η ₁ (t) is shown graphically in FIG. 4. To increase the range of shear forces, longer capillaries 26 can be used (ie, L ₁ increases).

Operation of the device 20 is depicted in FIGS. 5A-5H and is as follows:

A portion of the patient's vascular system (eg, vein, artery, etc.) inserted into the capillary 26 is disposed on the horizontal surface 80. This entry point of the patient is referred to as the "DATUM" reference and represents the vertical height reference.

5A-5B: Guidewire 86 is introduced into a patient's vasculature through awl 88. Guidewire 86 remains in place and awl 88 is removed.

Since the operator only needs to activate a switch (not shown) of a regulator (not shown) that automatically performs the following steps when the capillary tube 26 is inserted into the patient, the following steps are preferably automated:

5C: The first valve means 36 is opened such that port A and port B communicate with each other, while port C at port A and port C at port B are closed. ; The second valve means 46 is closed. The capillary 26 is then flushed.

5D; The first valve means 36 is closed in its entirety and the capillary tube 26 penetrates through the entire guidewire 86 and is then placed into the patient's vasculature. The DATUM level is determined for the capillary 26 and the vertical tube 44. The DATUM mark is made on a fixed vertical surface 82.

5E; Guidewire 86 is removed and the DATUM level is defined for capillary 26 and vertical 44. The " 0 " mark made on the vertical tube 44 is aligned with the DATUM level.

5F; The first valve means 36 is moved to open the transfer between the port A and the port C, and the second valve means 46 transfers the transfer between the port D and the port E. Is moved to open. The operator then lowers the plunger 90 above the injection means 38 to the "0" or DATUM mark to fill the vertical canal 44 with the delivery fluid or indicator fluid. The two first valve means 36 and the second valve means 46 are then closed.

Fig. 5F; Pressurize the fluid column 42 with blood pressure. The operator opens the first valve means 36 to connect the port B and the port C, thereby causing blood to flow into the conduit means 34 (about 0.5 cc of blood). Fluid column 42 will be raised to a new level at the zero mark. The operator then manually places the housing 70 downward until the new level is aligned with the DATUM mark on the fixed vertical surface 82. This operation allows the use of a closed vertical tube 44 as a “barometer” to determine the static pressure of the blood (eg vein).

5G; In order to avoid overflow of the vertical tube 44 during operation, it is necessary to calculate the approximate final level or head of the fluid column 42, h _∞ , and lower the housing 70 by that amount. Boyle's law is used to measure the increase in fluid column 42, h _∞ , which may be in step 5F. Housing 70 drops by h _∞ amount. The housing 70 is then secured to a height such that the sensor means 50 can monitor the increase in the fluid column 42. The second valve means 46 is then opened and the fluid column 42 starts to rise.

If the test proceeds again, the tube assembly 69 is discarded and a new tube assembly 69 is installed in the housing. If the delivery fluid 41 in the injection means 38 is a biocompatible material, a portion of the delivery fluid 41 may be flushed to the tip of the capillary 26 as shown in FIG. 5C. Can be used.

Before the viscosity measurement is completed, as part of the automated process discussed above, the current barometric reading is obtained (eg from a barometer not shown inside of the measuring means 24) and the microprocessor means. 52 is provided. As such, the device 20 calculates an appropriate viscosity / shear velocity plot based on the current atmospheric pressure present. In addition, vents may be provided throughout the apparatus 20 to minimize the impact on the accuracy of the calculated viscosity.

It should be understood that the processes described above may also be performed using a hemostatic valve (eg, “heparin lock”) between capillary 26 and conduit means 34. This allows the capillary tube 26 to remain when several operations are made. In addition, a hemostatic valve with a "Y" fitting may be placed close to the point where the capillary 28 enters the blood vessel to allow the guide wire 86 to pass after the device 20 is flushed without generating air bubbles. .

Capillary tube 26 must consist of or be coated with a substance or substances that prevent blood 31 from adhering to the inner wall of the capillary, and for example, an anti-thrombogen substance such as heparin and / or an antigen such as phosphoryl choline Tromborite coatings can be used to minimize coagulation. The phosphoryl choline compound is from Biocompatibles, Ltd. of Oxbridge, England. Such structure or coating facilitates long time placement of capillary 26 in the patient's vasculature. In addition, as most clearly shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the capillary tube 26 preferably consists of a plurality of ports 92. If the tip of the capillary 26 is adjacent to a portion of the interior of the tube wall, it will be inserted into the patient's vasculature so that blood will flow into the entry 94 so that the capillary 26 will not be blocked or obstructed.

Another embodiment of capillary 26 is shown in FIG. 7 and includes an intravascular capillary with a lumen or resistor adjusted for the viscometer function and another lumen or resistor for the measured pressure. For example, the capillary 126 includes a first lumen 96 that moves blood 31 as previously described, and a second connected to a pressure transducer (not shown) connected to the metering means 24. Lumens 98. The second lumen 98 therefore provides the measuring means 24 with a continuous reference of the blood pressure of the patient. Unlike the processes already mentioned, the operator hereby uses the second lumen 98 to determine the patient's blood pressure before the test is run and the measuring means 24 provide a continuous blood pressure reference during the operation. In some patients, actual blood pressure may change during testing. Such changes in blood pressure or pulse need to be measured to determine a suitable viscosity / shear force versus time curve. Therefore, having a continuous blood pressure criterion can be compensated during blood viscosity / shear force determination.

Another embodiment of capillary tube 26 is shown in FIGS. 8A-8B and FIG. 9. These embodiments include intravascular capillaries with controlled lumens or tubes with other resistant members, such as many small capillaries made of bundles (FIGS. 8A-8B). Alternatively, the tubes are filled with very small spheres (FIG. 9) or with sintered columns (not shown). According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the capillary tube 226 consists of a number of small capillary tubes 100, each having a different inner diameter (d ₁ , d ₂ , d _3, etc.). The use of many small capillaries not only makes the length L ₁ smaller but also makes it possible to produce very small shear forces. If these diameters are smaller than the average diameter of typical red blood cells, the system 20 can be used to determine the blood pressure when blood begins to flow. Since these cells can be modified to pass through the small capillary 100, this operation provides an indication of the deformation of the red blood cells of the organism.

In another embodiment of the capillary shown in FIG. 9, the capillary 326 includes very small spheres 102 therein to make a gap smaller than the average diameter of the red blood cells, so the red blood cells must be modified to pass through it. something to do.

The buffer piston shown in FIG. 10 may be used to exclude or at least minimize the miscibility / contamination problem that may appear between the delivery fluid / blood interface in the conduit means 34. Such pistons may be of suitable construction, for example carbon slugs, for separating blood 31 from the transfer fluid 41 at their interface. In particular, the piston 104 having a specific gravity of about 1.0 transmits the movement or flow of the blood 31 leading down the capillary and leading to the delivery fluid 41 while the blood and shear fluid are separated from each other. Or, although not shown, in order to reduce any miscibility / contamination problems, a buffer fluid may be directed to the interface between the blood 31 and the delivery fluid 41.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the sensor means 50, and FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view along line 12-12 of FIG. 2A, having a support plate 68 already fixed to the housing 70. Thus, as shown, an exemplary implementation of the sensor means 50 is a linear implementation of the illuminator 76 (see FIGS. 2A and 12), the rod lens 106 and the sensor chip 108 mounted on the PCB substrate 110. It consists of an array. One particularly useful commercial device incorporating these components is Scan Jose, Inc., San Jose, Canada. Model SV200A4. As already described, when the support 68 is installed, the sensor means 50 comprises a glass cover 112 adjacent to the riser 44. The integrated lens 114 may be disposed on the opposite side of the glass cover 112 to enhance the view by the rod lens 106.

In order to properly operate the system 20, the measuring means 24 need to consider the fluid resistance of the tube assembly 69 mounted to the housing 70. For this purpose a test machine is used. 13 depicts an exemplary test machine 116 for the tube assembly 69 of the system 20. Bar code 118 is provided over support plate 68 (FIGS. 2A and 13) that includes assay elements for a specific tubular assembly 69. And before the viscosity measurement is completed, the automatic scanner 119 connected to the PC 52 scans the barcode 118 and provides the specific calibration element to the PC 52.

To determine the assay element, the tube assembly under assay A ₂ is connected to the test machine 116 as shown in FIG. 13. The air supply 120 carries clean dry air at a predetermined pressure P _AS (eg, 100 psi) that can be adjusted (via regulator REG) up to 30 at H ₂ O. The air supply 120 is flowed through a calibrated orifice A ₁ with known resistance. The input of the tube assembly under test A ₂ is connected to the output of A ₁ , and the output of the tube assembly under test A ₂ is discharged to the atmosphere. When air supply 120 carries air flow, depending on the internal fluid resistance of the tube assembly in test A ₂ , the pressure P _TA appears at the input of the tube assembly under test A ₂ . A pair of open manometer (122A) and (122B) are respectively connected to the output of the input of the A ₁ and A ₁ in order to monitor the P _AS and P _TA respectively. The P _AS / P _TA ratio represents the assay element. This assay element is then encoded with barcode 118. Therefore, each time the tube assembly 69 is mounted in the housing 7 the barcode 118 is read into the PC 52 and the measuring means 24 is based on the specific fluid resistance of the mounted tube assembly 69. The viscosity can be determined.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in order to minimize measurement error, the system 20 provides means for adjusting the formation of the meniscus 124 (FIG. 3) on top of the delivery fluid column 42. Include. In particular, a coating of the upright tube 44 may be introduced to precisely control the surface tension by providing controlled surface energy to flatten the meniscus 124. This meniscus 124 can also be adjusted by varying the molecular structure of the upright tube 44, the delivery fluid 41 used and the gas above the fluid column 42. Also in order to make repeatable and predictable surface energy, the inner surface of the riser 44 can be coated by depositing with a surfactant, for example silicon. By including suitable surfactants, such as silicones, in compression molding the surfactants migrate to the surface in the expected manner.

Another embodiment (not shown) of the device 20 includes a vertical tube 44 that tends to increase sensitivity. In particular, when the vertical tube 44 is bent out of the vertical direction, every 1 millimeter rise in the vertical height of the fluid column 42, the fluid column 42 in the vertical tube 44 will be moved by 1 millimeter or more.

According to another aspect of the invention, the means 124 (FIG. 2B) can provide the application of vibrational energy to the patient to determine the effect of the vibrational energy on the patient's blood viscosity, the resulting data having a beneficial effect. It can be used to provide a custom vibration therapy to provide. In particular, aspects of the present invention employ a vibration source 124 that produces vibration energy in which amplitude and frequency can be adjusted by the operator. This vibration energy is applied before or during the viscosity measurement. Although vibration energy appears to be applied only to the arm of the patient in FIG. Vibration may also be applied to fluid column 42 and / or capillary 26 to achieve a smoother flow of fluid.

Another important feature of the system 20 is the ability to monitor the level of the fluid column 42 at a velocity of zero, i.e. thixotropic point of blood flow. The thixotropic point represents the shear stress supported at zero velocity, as shown graphically in FIG. 14. The indication of the shear force or head at which the flow begins again after setting the time to zero motion provides an indication of the patient's coagulation properties.

It should be understood that the diagnostic software 54 enables the dynamic effect of the deceleration of the fluid column 42 and the viscous effect of various diameters of the tube as the blood 31 and delivery fluid 41 flow through the system 20. do.

It should be understood that other installations of system 20 include shaped channels or etched channels instead of the tubes described above.

As already mentioned, the device 20 has other uses, such as measuring the viscosity of other flowable materials such as oils, paints and cosmetics.

Without further detailed description, the foregoing will fully illustrate the invention, and those skilled in the art will be able to readily use the invention under various service conditions by applying current or future knowledge.

Claims (127)

A blood sampling means and a measuring means, wherein at least a portion of the blood sampling means is arranged to be located in the body of the organism so as to be exposed to the blood of the living body, the measuring means being connected to the blood sampling means and having a plurality of shear rates And measuring the viscosity of the blood of the organism in vivo, the device being arranged to measure the viscosity of the blood of the organism. The blood sampling means according to claim 1, wherein said blood sampling means includes blood receiving means for receiving blood, said blood receiving means being arranged at an internal position of the body of the organism so that blood flows into said blood receiving means at said position. The device characterized in that. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said measuring means is connected to said blood receiving means and is arranged to measure the viscosity of blood near said position at a plurality of shear rates and to provide a signal indication thereof. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said blood receiving means comprises a catheter through which blood flows, and said measuring means comprises a fluid column and monitoring means, wherein the fluid in said column and blood in said catheter are connected together so that the catheter The height of the fluid column is changed by the flow of blood into it, and the monitoring means is arranged to monitor the height of the fluid column at multiple locations along the height of the column to measure the viscosity of the blood. The device characterized in that. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the catheter comprises a capillary tube having a predetermined length and inner diameter. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the fluid column has a predetermined diameter. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said monitoring means comprises sensor means for measuring the height of the fluid column at a plurality of locations along the length of the fluid column. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising microprocessor means coupled to the sensor means. The device of claim 8, wherein the catheter comprises a capillary tube having a predetermined length and inner diameter. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fluid column has a predetermined diameter. 9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said sensor means comprises a CCD sensor. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the blood receiving means and the measuring means are detachably connected such that the blood receiving means is separated from the measuring means for discarding the blood receiving means. The method according to claim 4, wherein the blood receiving means and the measuring means are adapted so that the blood receiving means is separated from the fluid column and the fluid column is separated from the monitoring means for disposal of the blood receiving means and the fluid column. Device detachably connected. The device of claim 1, wherein the device also measures various shear rates of blood of the organism. The device of claim 6, wherein the device also measures various shear rates of blood of the organism. The device of claim 4, wherein the flow of blood into the catheter that changes the height of the fluid column is generated by gravity. 17. The catheter of claim 16, wherein the relative height of the catheter relative to the fluid column is adjustable and the catheter is disposed above a portion of the fluid column such that the height of the fluid column is changed by gravity. Device. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising first valve means connected between the catheter and the fluid column to selectively flow blood through the catheter to vary the height of the fluid column. Device. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the fluid column is located in a vertical tube and the catheter is connected to the lower portion of the vertical tube by the first valve means. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the riser comprises an upper portion having a second valve means, wherein the second valve means can be selected to allow air to flow into the upper portion of the riser. Device. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising injection means for selectively introducing a fluid forming said fluid column into said riser. 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the injection means comprises a fluid reservoir and a plunger. 21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said monitoring means further comprises sensor means for measuring the height of the fluid column at a plurality of locations in accordance with the height of the fluid column. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising microprocessor means coupled to the sensor means. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said sensor means comprises a CCD device. 25. An apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising display means for providing a signal indicative of said viscosity. 27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said display means comprises a visual display. 27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said display means comprises a printer. 27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said display means comprises a visual display and a printer. 18. The device of claim 17, comprising conduit means connected between said catheter and said fluid column. 31. The device of claim 30, wherein the catheter comprises a capillary tube having a predetermined length and inner diameter. 32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the fluid column has a predetermined diameter. 33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the conduit means has an inner diameter substantially greater than a predetermined inner diameter of the catheter. 34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the conduit means has an inner diameter substantially larger than a predetermined diameter of the fluid column. 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the fluid column is visually recognizable. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said blood sampling means comprises means for sampling plasma for in vivo measurement of plasma viscosity. 37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said blood sampling means comprises plasma receiving means for receiving plasma, said plasma receiving means being introduced at an internal location of the body of the organism such that plasma free of red blood cells at said location is introduced into the plasma receiving means. The device is arranged to flow. 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the blood sampling means comprises an erythrocyte filter and a catheter connected to the filter and into which the plasma of the organism flows, wherein the measuring means comprises a fluid column and monitoring means, the fluid of the column and the Plasma in the catheter is arranged so that the height of the fluid column is changed by the flow of plasma into the catheter, the monitoring means being located in multiple locations along the height of the fluid column to measure the viscosity of the plasma. And to monitor the height of the fluid column. The device of claim 38, wherein the catheter comprises a capillary tube having a predetermined length and inner diameter. 40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the fluid column has a predetermined diameter. 41. The device of claim 40, wherein the device also measures various shear rates of the plasma of the organism. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fluid column is located in a vertical tube, a gas is present in the vertical tube over the fluid column, and the top of the fluid column forms a detectable interface with the gas. . 43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the sensor means detects the interface. 44. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said sensor means comprises a CCD device. 45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the CCD device extends along a substantial portion of the vertical tube. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fluid column is located in a vertical tube and the vertical tube is arranged vertically. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fluid column is located in a vertical tube and the vertical tube is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the vertical. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fluid column is located in a vertical tube and the vertical tube is arranged to have a controlled orientation. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the fluid column comprises a liquid column, the top of the liquid forms a meniscus at an interface with the gas, and the apparatus is configured to extend the meniscus along a substantial length of the vertical tube. And means for adjusting the shape. 50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the riser comprises a coating on an inner surface thereof, wherein the coating flattens the meniscus. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the catheter comprises a capillary tube, the capillary tube including means for preventing coagulation of blood therein. 52. The device of claim 51, wherein said anti-coagulation means is an anti-thrombolite coating. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising vibration energy application means for applying vibration energy to a portion of the body of the organism. 54. The device of claim 53, wherein the device measures the viscosity of the blood of the organism by applying vibrational energy to the body of the creature. 54. The apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein said vibration energy applying means is capable of adjusting the amplitude and / or frequency of said vibration energy. 55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said vibration energy applying means is capable of adjusting the amplitude and / or frequency of said vibration energy. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the catheter comprises a capillary tube, the capillary tube having a distal end that includes a plurality of inlets through which fluid is accessible. The device of claim 4, wherein the device provides an indication of red blood cell modification. 59. The device of claim 58, wherein the catheter comprises a plurality of lumens having an inner diameter smaller than the average diameter of red blood cells. The device of claim 4, wherein the device provides an indication of blood pressure at the location of the catheter. The device of claim 1, wherein the device measures blood viscosity at shear stresses approaching zero. The device of claim 1, wherein the device measures the position at which shear stress is supported at zero fluid velocity. The device of claim 1, wherein the device measures the location where blood has thixotropic properties and / or aggregates. An apparatus for measuring the viscosity of a flowable material at a plurality of shear rates, comprising: a material receiving means and a measuring means, the material receiving means including an injection tube introduced into the material to allow the material to flow therein; The measuring means is connected to the material receiving means and measures the viscosity of the material in the injection tube at a plurality of shear rates to provide a signal indication, the measuring means comprising a fluid column and a monitoring means, the fluid in the column being The height of the fluid column is changed accordingly, the monitoring means monitors the height of the fluid in the column at a number of positions of the total height as the height of the fluid column is changed and thereby Device for measuring the viscosity of a substance. 65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the flowable material flows into the inlet tube under gravity, thereby changing the height of the fluid column. 66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the relative height of the inlet tube relative to the fluid column is adjustable, wherein the inlet tube is positioned above a portion of the fluid column such that the height of the fluid column is changed by gravity. 67. The apparatus of claim 66, comprising a first valve means connected between the inlet tube and the fluid column to selectively flow fluid material through the inlet tube such that the height of the fluid column is changed. . 67. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the fluid column is located in a vertical tube and the first valve means is connected to a lower portion of the vertical tube. 69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the riser comprises an upper portion at which the second valve means is located, and the second valve means can be selected to allow air to enter into the upper portion of the riser. 70. The apparatus of claim 69, further comprising injection means for selectively introducing a fluid forming a fluid column into the riser. 71. The device of claim 70, wherein the injection means comprises a fluid reservoir and a plunger. 70. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein said monitoring means further comprises sensor means for measuring the height of the fluid column at a plurality of locations in accordance with the height of the fluid column. 73. The apparatus of claim 72, further comprising microprocessor means coupled to the sensor means. 74. An apparatus according to claim 72 wherein said sensor means comprises a CCD device. 74. An apparatus according to claim 73 wherein said sensor means comprises a CCD device. 74. The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising display means for providing a visual indication of the viscosity. 77. An apparatus according to claim 76, wherein said display means comprises a visual display. 77. An apparatus according to claim 76, wherein said display means comprises a printer. 77. An apparatus according to claim 76, wherein said display means comprises a visual display and a printer. A method for in vivo measurement of blood viscosity of an organism, comprising the following steps: (a) providing the blood sampling means within the body of the organism to expose the blood sampling means to the blood of the organism; (b) recognizing a parameter relating to the blood while the sampling means is present in the body of the organism; (c) measuring the viscosity of the blood of the organism at a plurality of shear rates using the recognized parameters. 81. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein said blood sampling means comprises a catheter, said parameter comprising the flow of blood through said catheter, and said method comprises introducing said catheter to an internal location of the body of the organism Allowing blood to flow into and pass through at least a portion of the catheter. 82. The method of claim 81, further comprising the following steps: (d) providing a fluid column; (e) selectively connecting said fluid column to said catheter such that the height of said fluid column is changed by the flow of blood through a portion of said catheter; And (f) monitoring the varying height of the fluid column at multiple locations along the length of the fluid column to measure the viscosity of the blood. The method of claim 82, comprising the following steps: (g) allowing blood to flow through a portion of the catheter using gravity to change the height of the fluid column. 84. The method of claim 83, wherein the fluid column has a predetermined diameter, wherein a portion of the catheter comprises a capillary tube, wherein the capillary tube has a predetermined length and inner diameter. 85. The method of claim 84, further comprising the following steps: (h) positioning the capillary and the fluid column such that the capillary is positioned at a higher position than a portion of the fluid column. 85. The method of claim 84, further comprising the following steps: (h) providing valve means for selectively connecting blood in the capillary to the fluid column. 86. The method of claim 85, further comprising the following steps: (i) providing valve means for selectively connecting blood in the capillary to the fluid column. 81. The method of claim 80, further comprising the following steps: (d) measuring the blood pressure in the blood sampling means. The method of claim 82, wherein the catheter comprises a capillary and the method further comprises the following steps: (i) providing a vertical tube in which the fluid column is to be located; (j) prior to flowing blood through the capillary to connect blood to the fluid column, the top of the fluid column in the vertical tube is substantially in the raised position to establish a reference level on the vertical tube. Positioning the capillary and the vertical tube in a first position; (k) selectively flowing blood through the capillary and connecting the flow of blood to the vertical tube such that the height of the top of the fluid column changes in response to the blood pressure in the capillary; (l) varying the relative elevation of the capillary and vertical tubes such that the top of the fluid column is at the reference level; (m) varying the relative elevation of the capillary and riser tubes, and varying the height of the fluid column in the riser by connecting the top of the fluid column to a pressure source lower than the blood pressure under the influence of gravity; And (n) monitoring the change in height of the fluid column to determine the viscosity of the blood. 81. The method of claim 80, wherein the method comprises measuring the viscosity of the plasma of the organism. 81. The method of claim 80, wherein the method comprises measuring the viscosity of the plasma of the organism. 92. The method of claim 91, wherein said blood sampling means comprises a catheter and means for allowing only plasma to pass through said catheter, said parameter comprising the flow of plasma through said catheter, said method comprising Introducing a ter into an internal location of the body of the organism such that the plasma of the organism flows into and passes through at least a portion of the catheter. 95. The method of claim 92, further comprising the following steps: (d) providing a fluid column; (e) selectively connecting a fluid column to the catheter such that the height of the fluid column is changed by the flow of plasma through a portion of the catheter; Monitoring the height change of the fluid column at multiple locations along the length of the fluid column to measure the viscosity of the plasma. 95. The method of claim 93, comprising the following steps: (g) flowing plasma through a portion of the catheter using gravity to change the height of the fluid column. 83. The method of claim 82, wherein the portion of the catheter comprises a plurality of capillaries, each of the capillaries having an inner diameter less than the average diameter of red blood cells, the method comprising measuring deformation of red blood cells in biological blood. . 82. The method of claim 81, wherein the method measures the deformation of erythrocytes in biological blood. A method of medically diagnosing a physiological state of a organism, comprising measuring the in vivo viscosity of the organism's blood at a plurality of shear rates. 98. The method of claim 97, further comprising providing a certain treatment to the organism based on the measurement of the viscosity of the biological blood. 98. The method of claim 97, further comprising providing vibrational energy to a portion of the body of the organism. 100. The method of claim 99, wherein said vibrational energy is provided to a portion of the body of the organism immediately before and / or during the measurement of the viscosity of the blood of the organism. 101. The method of claim 100, further comprising providing a certain treatment to the organism based on the measurement of the blood viscosity of the organism. 107. The method of claim 99, wherein the vibration energy is changeable in amplitude and / or frequency. 101. The method of claim 100, wherein said vibrational energy is provided to enhance circulation of blood through at least a portion of the body of the organism. 107. The method of claim 99, wherein the vibrational energy is provided to determine its effect on the viscosity of the organism's blood. 107. The method of claim 104, further comprising selecting a particular vibrational energy therapy to enhance circulation of blood through at least a portion of the body of the organism based on the effect. 107. The method of claim 99, further comprising providing the particular vibrational energy therapy to a portion of the body of the organism during or after the viscosity measurement. A device for providing vibrational energy to a portion of a body of a living being to advantageously change the viscosity of the living blood. 107. The apparatus of claim 107, wherein the amplitude of the vibrational energy is changeable. 107. The apparatus of claim 107, wherein the frequency of vibration energy is variable. 107. The apparatus of claim 107, wherein the amplitude and frequency of the vibration energy are variable. 107. The apparatus of claim 107, further comprising viscosity measuring means for measuring the viscosity of the blood of the organism. 119. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein the viscosity measuring means measures the viscosity of the blood of the organism in vivo. 112. The device of claim 111, wherein the device provides the vibrational energy to a portion of the body of the organism after measuring the blood viscosity of the organism. 112. The device of claim 111, wherein said device provides said vibrational energy to a portion of the body of the organism while said viscosity measuring means measures the blood viscosity of the organism. A method of providing beneficial medical treatment to a living organism, the method comprising applying vibrational energy to a portion of the body of the living body to effect a beneficial change in the viscosity of human blood. 116. The method of claim 115, wherein the amplitude of the vibration energy applied is variable. 116. The method of claim 115, wherein the frequency of vibration energy applied is variable. 116. The method of claim 115, wherein the amplitude and frequency of the vibration energy are variable. 116. The method of claim 115, further comprising measuring blood viscosity of the organism. 119. The method of claim 119, wherein the measurement of the blood viscosity of the organism is performed in vivo. 119. The method of claim 119, wherein the vibration energy is applied to a portion of the body of the organism after measuring the blood viscosity of the creature. 119. The method of claim 119, wherein the vibrational energy is applied to a portion of the body of the organism while measuring the blood viscosity of the creature. 119. The method of claim 119, wherein vibration energy is applied to a portion of the body of the organism during measurement of the blood viscosity of the organism, vibration energy is applied to a portion of the body of the creature after the blood viscosity of the creature is measured, and after the viscosity measurement Vibrational energy applied to a portion of the body of the subject may be selected to provide a beneficial treatment to the organism. 123. The method of claim 123, wherein the vibration energy applied to the portion of the body of the organism after measuring the blood viscosity of the organism is selected from tunable vibration energy. 124. The method of claim 124, wherein the vibration energy is variable in amplitude. 124. The method of claim 124, wherein the vibration energy is variable in frequency. 124. The method of claim 124, wherein the vibration energy is variable in amplitude and frequency.