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Microfluidic viscometer

  • US 6,681,616 B2
  • Filed: 11/09/2001
  • Issued: 01/27/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for determining a difference in viscosity between a sample fluid and a reference fluid, the method comprising the following steps in the order named:

  • flowing a reference fluid with a known viscosity through a first channel segment by applying a first driving force;

    flowing a detectable fluid through a second channel segment by applying a second driving force;

    combining the flow of the reference fluid from the first channel segment with the flow of detectable fluid from the second channel segment at a first intersection to produce a first combined flow, the first combined flow entering a third channel segment;

    measuring a first amount of detectable fluid flowing in the first combined flow;

    replacing the flow of reference fluid in the first channel segment with a flow of sample fluid through the first channel segment without changing the magnitudes of the first and second driving forces;

    combining the flow of the sample fluid from the first channel segment with the flow of detectable fluid from the second channel segment at a first intersection to produce a second combined flow, the second combined flow entering a third channel segment;

    measuring a second amount of detectable fluid flowing in the second combined flow; and

    determining a difference in viscosity between the reference fluid and the sample fluid from the difference between the first amount of detectable fluid and the second amount of detectable fluid.

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