The OP-Rheometer system, a new device for analysis of viscosity and viscoelasticity of blood: Description and clinical application

Issue title: New Methods in Biorheology. Proceedings of the International Symposium held in Nancy, France, 17–18 August 1983. A Satellite Symposium of the Fifth International Congress of Biorheology

Guest editors: J.F. Stoltz and E. Puchelle

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Isogai, Y.^a | Yokose, T.^a | Maeda, T.^a | Akiyama, M.^a | Onogi, S.^b | Masuda, T.^b | Ohmachi, T.^c | Iwamoto, S.^c

Affiliations: [a] Department of Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105, Japan | [b] Departmetnt of Polymer Chemistry, Kyoto University, Japan | [c] Iwamoto Seisakusyo Co., LTD. Kyoto, Japan

Abstract: OP-Rheometer is a rotational viscometer of concentric type, which was developed to measure blood viscosity at low shear rate (0.2–40 sec−1) and viscoelasticity at 0.1–3.0 Hz in the context of clinical medicine. This system consists of a mechanical unit, a control unit (console), a data processing unit and a printer. The dynamic or steady state flow data are automatically printed out. An outer cylinder (sample container) is connected to a torsion wire assembly supported by a pair of magnetic bearings. The angular displacement is detected by a pair of variable differential transformers. In clinical application of this rheometer, authors have confirmed that the viscosity and viscoelasticity of blood from diabetic patients are higher than for normal subjects.

Keywords: rheometer, blood viscoelasticity, oscillatory flow, diabetes

DOI: 10.3233/BIR-1984-23S106

Journal: Biorheology, vol. 23, no. s1, pp. 35-41, 1984