Abstract: The new instrument for taking readings of the hematocrit value from a blood sample has two electrodes with which the conductivity of the sample may be measured. The sample contacting faces of the electrodes are placed in a horizontal plane with an accurately fixed spacing therebetween so that a blood column of a given size may be formed from the sample. The sample is acted upon by ac. From a reading representative of the change in impedance the hematocrit value may be read off from a calibration curve.

Abstract: The invention concerns a measuring apparatus for checking and determining the flow shear stress of certain suspensions, principally blood, by a static or dynamic method and to thereby plot the viscosity of the suspension. The apparatus employs an internal measuring chamber comprised of a passage arrangement to simulate the natural microcirculation area wherein a network of capillary passages diverge from a main passage, with at least two of the capillary passages of different lengths, with a length ratio that can range from 3:1 to 15:1, with those capillaries connected to a source of variable pressure and extending past a detector unit.