The present invention relates to devices for measuring property changes via in-situ micro-viscometry and methods of using same. The aforementioned device is inexpensive and can be used to quickly and accurately measure numerous physical and chemical property changes, including but not limited to the rate of chemical cure, change in tack, and rate of mass loss, for example, rate of moisture, solvent and/or plasticizer change.

A handheld medical analyzer works with different disposable application cartridges to perform a variety of interrogations on specimen samples. One application includes attaching a biological microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS) cartridge that generates blood coagulation profiles indicative of particular forms of coagulation disorders. The device makes coagulopathy testing simpler for small hospitals, clinics, ambulances, remote locations and individuals and permits for a larger number of parallel or serial devices operating simultaneously. One insertion of a cartridge actuates an oscillating circular motion to generate a blood coagulation profile based on a change in rotational motion as blood coagulates in a sample. Change in rotational motion is analyzed through a video camera such as in a smartphone and is plotted to show an amplitude over time. Actuation of the BioMEMS can be achieved by magnetic actuation of a motor controlled by an iPhone or a smart phone to provide a specific rotational pattern.

Method for carrying out rheologic measurements of a drilling mud, comprising: providing a first toroidal conduit (10); inserting into said first toroidal conduit (10) a drilling mud, comprising drilling debris; determining conditions to be simulated for said mud, said conditions to be simulated comprising a path length and/or a flow time to be simulated for said mud; determining, as a function of said conditions to be simulated, operating conditions to be applied to said mud, said operating conditions comprising a number of laps around said first toroidal conduit (10) and/or a flow time in said first toroidal conduit (10); regulating the temperature inside said first toroidal conduit (10); regulating the pressure inside said first toroidal conduit (10); providing a displacement device (20) comprising a first projectile (21), wherein said first projectile (21) fills substantially entirely a cross-section of said first toroidal conduit (10); moving, by means of said first projectile (21), said mud in the first annular conduit (10) according to said operating conditions. The method further comprises: a first operating step, wherein a force is determined, which is applied by said displacement device (20) to move said mud in the first toroidal conduit (10); a second operating step, wherein a rheologic parameter of said mud is determined as a function of said force.

Method for carrying out rheologic measurements of a drilling mud, comprising: providing a first toroidal conduit (10); inserting into said first toroidal conduit (10) a drilling mud, comprising drilling debris; determining conditions to be simulated for said mud, said conditions to be simulated comprising a path length and/or a flow time to be simulated for said mud; determining, as a function of said conditions to be simulated, operating conditions to be applied to said mud, said operating conditions comprising a number of laps around said first toroidal conduit (10) and/or a flow time in said first toroidal conduit (10); regulating the temperature inside said first toroidal conduit (10); regulating the pressure inside said first toroidal conduit (10); providing a displacement device (20) comprising a first projectile (21), wherein said first projectile (21) fills substantially entirely a cross-section of said first toroidal conduit (10); moving, by means of said first projectile (21), said mud in the first annular conduit (10) according to said operating conditions. The method further comprises: a first operating step, wherein a force is determined, which is applied by said displacement device (20) to move said mud in the first toroidal conduit (10); a second operating step, wherein a rheologic parameter of said mud is determined as a function of said force.

A bracket, a thrombelastography device, and a support system are disclosed. The bracket comprises: a fixed support part (101), a movable support part (102), and a connection part (103). The connection part comprises a first fixing connection member (1031) and a second fixing connection member (1032). The first fixing connection member is fixedly connected to the fixed support part; the second fixing connection member is fixedly connected to the movable support part; the first fixing connection member is connected to the second fixing connection member in point contact fashion, such that the first fixing connection member and the second fixing connection member can rotate relative to each other; the movable support part is fixedly connected to a supported object; when driven by the supported object, the movable support part rotates relative to the fixed support part by means of the point contact between the first fixing connection member and the second fixing connection member. The thrombelastography device comprises a rotational shaft and a bracket. The rotational resistance to the supported object when it rotates can be reduced.

A medical analyzer and coagulation profiler performs various interrogations on specimens. A motor with reduction gearing moves and a video camera observes the samples, the cartridges or parts thereof. Changes in images are compared and recorded with a central processor that controls a display. Power supply, temperature controller, motor and gearing are mounted in a box which attaches to a smartphone. The smartphone provides the video camera, illumination and central processor that control the movement, temperature and display. The device makes testing simpler for small hospitals, clinics, ambulances, remote locations and individuals and controls a number of parallel or serial devices operating simultaneously or sequentially. A cartridge insertion actuates a circular motion to generate a blood profile based on changes. Change is analyzed with a video camera and processor such as in a smartphone and is plotted to show an amplitude and time. A smartphone provides a specific movement pattern.

A viscosity measurement unit includes a first stage having a first surface, a second stage having a second surface and configured to rotate with the second surface which is opposed and in proximity to the first surface, a motor including a motor body and a shaft that is an output shaft of the motor body and configured to rotate synchronously with the second stage, a fixed member arranged to rotatably support the shaft and the motor body, and a strain gauge unit fixed to the fixed member and configured to be biased by a contact of the motor body when the motor body rotates in a first direction with respect to the fixed member.

A bracket, a support system, and a thrombelastography device and use method thereof are disclosed. The bracket comprises: a first support part (1001), a second support part (1003), and a connection part (1002), wherein the first support part (1001) supports the second support part (1003) by means of the connection part (1002), so that the second support part (1003) can rotate relative to the first support part (1001) under a first action force. The first support part (1001) comprises: a rotatable structure (1004), a support base (1013), and a stop mechanism (1024), wherein the stop mechanism (1024) is used for applying a stop force to the rotation of the rotatable structure (1004), the rotatable structure (1004) is supported on the support base (1013) and can rotate relative to the support base (1013) under a second action force when the stop force of the stop mechanism (1024) is eliminated, and the rotatable structure (1004) supports the second support part (1003) by means of the connection part (1002), so that the rotatable structure (1004) can rotate relative to the second support part (1003) while rotating relative to the support base (1013). Angular shifts of test parts of the thrombelastography device can be adjusted, thereby improving the measurement accuracy.

An apparatus for measuring blood coagulation data, and a use method and calibration method thereof are disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a movable support part (101), a fixed support part (102), a connection part (103), a rotary shaft (104), a magnet (105), a Hall element (106), and a processing unit (107). One end of the movable support part (101) is fixedly connected to the rotary shaft (104), and the other end of the movable support part (101) is connected to the fixed support part (102) by means of the connection part (103); the movable support part (101) is fixedly connected to the magnet (105); the rotary shaft (104) is able to rotate relative to the fixed support part (102) under the driving force of measured blood and drive the movable support part (101) to rotate; the movable support part (101) is able to move the magnet (105) to cause a change in the magnetic field of the magnet (105); the Hall element (106) is connected to the processing unit (107); the Hall element (106) is used for outputting a measurement electric signal according to the magnetic field change of the magnet (105); and the processing unit (107) is used for determining blood coagulation data of the measured blood according to the measurement electric signal. The present apparatus can improve the accuracy in measurement of blood coagulation data.

The present invention relates to a method for determining the biofilm-forming capacity of microorganisms. The present invention also relates to a method for classifying microorganisms according to the biofilm-forming capacity thereof. In particular, the present invention is useful in the fields of analysis, biological and enzymological research, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and/or medicine. The present invention is also useful in the clinical, environmental and food-processing fields.