Patents Assigned to Rheologics, Inc.
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Patent number: 6907772Abstract: A blood viscosity measuring system and methods for measuring blood viscosity monitors the change in height of one of two, oppositely-moving, columns of blood from the circulating blood of a patient and, given the dimensions of a capillary tube through which the blood flows and by detecting a single blood position of the other oppositely-moving column, determines the blood viscosity over a range of shears, especially low shears. The system includes a tube set (disposable or non-disposable) that includes a pair of riser tubes, a capillary tube of predetermined dimensions that is coupled between the riser tubes (or that forms a portion of one riser tube) and a valve mechanism for controlling the circulating flow of blood from the patient into the riser tubes.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim, Young Cho
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Patent number: 6805674Abstract: A blood viscosity measuring system and method that monitors the rising head of a column of fluid representing a living being's blood in-vivo to determine the blood viscosity over a range of shears. The system includes a capillary tube, at least a portion of which is located within the vascular system of the being, and a riser tube, having a liquid therein coupled to the capillary tube. A sensor and associated microprocessor are provided to determine the change in the height of the liquid in the riser tube at plural points along the length of the tube from which the viscosity is calculated.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Kensey, John E. Nash, Harold E. Clupper
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Publication number: 20040194538Abstract: A blood viscosity measuring system and methods for measuring blood viscosity monitors the change in height of one of two, oppositely-moving, columns of blood from the circulating blood of a patient and, given the dimensions of a capillary tube through which the blood flows and by detecting a single blood position of the other oppositely-moving column, determines the blood viscosity over a range of shears, especially low shears. The system includes a tube set (disposable or non-disposable) that includes a pair of riser tubes, a capillary tube of predetermined dimensions that is coupled between the riser tubes (or that forms a portion of one riser tube) and a valve mechanism for controlling the circulating flow of blood from the patient into the riser tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim, Young Cho
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Patent number: 6796168Abstract: A method for determining the viscosity of a fluid flowing through a system at any point in the system whereby the method involves determining a characteristic relationship for the fluid between viscosity and shear rate; obtaining a shear rate of the fluid as it moves through at least one position in the system; and determining the viscosity of fluid at the at least one position by applying the shear rate to the characteristic relationship. Where the system is the circulatory system of a living being, the method includes determining a viscosity-shear rate relationship unique to that individual. Furthermore, the method further entails determining the actual viscosities and shear rates being experienced in selected blood vessels of the living being.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Larry J. Goldstein, William N. Hogenauer
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Patent number: 6745615Abstract: A blood viscosity measuring system and methods for measuring blood viscosity monitors the change in height of one of two, oppositely-moving, columns of blood from the circulating blood of a patient and, given the dimensions of a capillary tube through which the blood flows and by detecting a single blood position of the other oppositely-moving column, determines the blood viscosity over a range of shears, especially low shears. The system includes a tube set (disposable or non-disposable) that includes a pair of riser tubes, a capillary tube of predetermined dimensions that is coupled between the riser tubes (or that forms a portion of one riser tube) and a valve mechanism for controlling the circulating flow of blood from the patient into the riser tubes.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim, Young Cho
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Patent number: 6732573Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of the circulating blood of a living being over plural shear rates caused by a decreasing pressure differential by monitoring the changing weight of the blood, or the changing level of a column of blood over time. The apparatus and method utilize a riser, a capillary tube, a collector and a mass detector, such as a precision balance or a load cell, for monitoring the changing weight of a sample of fluid that flows through these components under the influence of the decreasing pressure differential; alternatively, the apparatus and method use a column level detector to monitor the changing level of the column of blood over time.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Sehyun Shin, Young Cho, Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim
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Patent number: 6692437Abstract: A method for obtaining the viscosity of the circulating blood of a living being using an adulterated blood sample and a correlation factor obtained from a circulating blood viscometer.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Kensey, Young Cho
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Patent number: 6659965Abstract: A blood viscosity measuring system and method that monitors the rising head of a column of fluid representing a living being's blood in-vivo to determine the blood viscosity over a range of shears. The system includes, a capillary tube, at least a portion of which is located within the vascular system of the being, and a riser tube, having a liquid therein coupled to the capillary tube. A sensor and associated microprocessor are provided to determine the change in the height of the liquid in the riser tube at plural points along the length of the tube from which the viscosity is calculated.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Kensey, John E. Nash, Harold E. Clupper
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Patent number: 6624435Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the viscosity of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids over a range of shear rates, especially low shear rates, by monitoring two rising columns of fluid (Newtonian or non-Newtonian) that pass through respective capillaries having different lengths. Furthermore, a specialized column monitor is provided that uses multiple interrogation sources (e.g., lasers) and a single detector (e.g., a charge-coupled device (CCD) array) to continuously monitor both columns of fluid substantially simultaneously. In particular, the system includes a Y-connector to form two flow paths and wherein each flow path includes a tube that includes a riser tube, a capillary tube of predetermined dimensions and a valve in each for controlling the fluid flow in each path.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, John E. Nash, Harold E. Clupper, Sangho Kim, Young Cho, Peter Randolph Hazard Stark, Roberto O. Pellizzari, Sergey Kruss
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Patent number: 6598465Abstract: A scanning rheometer is presented for the rheological property measurement of electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) fluids using a non-linear viscoplastic model, based on the fluid height variation with respect to time. The rheometer basically includes a static (e.g., an overhead reservoir) or a dynamic source of fluid, a channel or slit whose sides form electrodes which are in contact with the flowing ER fluid, or a capillary tube exposed to a static/alternating magnetic field for flowing MR fluids, a transfer tube, either one or two riser tubes, and a column level detector for monitoring the column of fluid as it moves in one of the riser tubes. The column level detector is coupled to a processor which analyzes, among other things, column height vs. time data to determine both viscosity and yield stress. The rheometer overcomes one of the major drawbacks of the conventional rheometer: the inability to produce the yield stress of the ER, or MR, fluid in an absolute zero shear rate range.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Seyhun Shin, Young Cho, Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim
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Patent number: 6571608Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of a fluid over plural shear rates caused by a decreasing pressure differential by monitoring the movement of the fluid through a riser tube and a capillary tube. The movement can be monitored by detecting the changing weight of the fluid, using a precision balance or load cell, as it moves through the riser tube and capillary tube into a fluid collector; or, alternatively, the movement can be monitored by detecting the changing level of a fluid column in the riser tube using a column level detector. A processor then uses the changing weight or height data, along with the dimensions of the capillary tube and a dimension of the riser tube, to determine the viscosity of the fluid. In addition, apparatus and methods for determining fluid viscosity online and fluid mixture homogeneity online are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Sehyun Shin, Young Cho, Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim
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Patent number: 6564618Abstract: A scanning rheometer is presented for the Theological property measurement of electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) fluids using a non-linear viscoplastic model, based on the fluid height variation with respect to time. The rheometer basically includes a static (e.g., an overhead reservoir) or a dynamic source of fluid, a channel or slit whose sides form electrodes which are in contact with the flowing ER fluid, or a capillary tube exposed to a static/alternating magnetic field for flowing MR fluids, a transfer tube, either one or two riser tubes, and a column level detector for monitoring the column of fluid as it moves in one of the riser tubes. The column level detector is coupled to a processor which analyzes, among other things, column height vs. time data to determine both viscosity and yield stress. The rheometer overcomes one of the major drawbacks of the conventional rheometer: the inability to produce the yield stress of the ER, or MR, fluid in an absolute zero shear rate range.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Sehyun Shin, Young Cho, Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim
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Publication number: 20030066341Abstract: A scanning rheometer is presented for the rheological property measurement of electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) fluids using a non-linear viscoplastic model, based on the fluid height variation with respect to time. The rheometer basically includes a static (e.g., an overhead reservoir) or a dynamic source of fluid, a channel or slit whose sides form electrodes which are in contact with the flowing ER fluid, or a capillary tube exposed to a static/alternating magnetic field for flowing MR fluids, a transfer tube, either one or two riser tubes, and a column level detector for monitoring the column of fluid as it moves in one of the riser tubes. The column level detector is coupled to a processor which analyzes, among other things, column height vs. time data to determine both viscosity and yield stress. The rheometer overcomes one of the major drawbacks of the conventional rheometer: the inability to produce the yield stress of the ER, or MR, fluid in an absolute zero shear rate range.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Applicant: RHEOLOGICS, INC.Inventors: Sehyun Shin, Young Cho, Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim
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Patent number: 6523396Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of a fluid over plural shear rates caused by a decreasing pressure differential by monitoring the movement of the fluid through a riser tube and a capillary tube. The movement can be monitored by detecting the changing weight of the fluid, using a precision balance or load cell, as it moves through the riser tube and capillary tube into a fluid collector; or, alternatively, the movement can be monitored by detecting the changing level of a fluid column in the riser tube using a column level detector. A processor then uses the changing weight or height data, along with the dimensions of the capillary tube and a dimension of the riser tube, to determine the viscosity of the fluid. In addition, apparatus and methods for determining fluid viscosity online and fluid mixture homogeneity online are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Sehyun Shin, Young Cho, Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim
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Publication number: 20030005752Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of a fluid over plural shear rates caused by a decreasing pressure differential by monitoring the movement of the fluid through a riser tube and a capillary tube. The movement can be monitored by detecting the changing weight of the fluid, using a precision balance or load cell, as it moves through the riser tube and capillary tube into a fluid collector; or, alternatively, the movement can be monitored by detecting the changing level of a fluid column in the riser tube using a column level detector. A processor then uses the changing weight or height data, along with the dimensions of the capillary tube and a dimension of the riser tube, to determine the viscosity of the fluid. In addition, apparatus and methods for determining fluid viscosity online and fluid mixture homogeneity online are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: RHEOLOGICS, INC.Inventors: Sehyun Shin, Young Cho, Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim
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Patent number: 6497669Abstract: An apparatus that allows a patient to blood let safely and automatically and which allows for the safe disposal of the withdrawn blood. The apparatus utilizes an intubator that couples to a blood vessel, a blood collector which contains a micro-biological inactivating agent and a blood conveyor which is coupled between the intubator and the blood collector for passing blood from the intubator to the blood collector.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth Kensey
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Publication number: 20020184941Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of a fluid over plural shear rates caused by a decreasing pressure differential by monitoring the movement of the fluid through a riser tube and a capillary tube. The movement can be monitored by detecting the changing weight of the fluid, using a precision balance or load cell, as it moves through the riser tube and capillary tube into a fluid collector; or, alternatively, the movement can be monitored by detecting the changing level of a fluid column in the riser tube using a column level detector. A processor then uses the changing weight or height data, along with the dimensions of the capillary tube and a dimension of the riser tube, to determine the viscosity of the fluid. In addition, apparatus and methods for determining fluid viscosity online and fluid mixture homogeneity online are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Applicant: RHEOLOGICS, INC.Inventors: Sehyun Shin, Young Cho, Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim
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Patent number: 6484566Abstract: A scanning rheometer is presented for the rheological property measurement of electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) fluids using a non-linear viscoplastic model, based on the fluid height variation with respect to time. The rheometer basically includes a static (e.g., an overhead reservoir) or a dynamic source of fluid, a channel or slit whose sides form electrodes which are in contact with the flowing ER fluid, or a capillary tube exposed to a static/alternating magnetic field for flowing MR fluids, a transfer tube, either one or two riser tubes, and a column level detector for monitoring the column of fluid as it moves in one of the riser tubes. The column level detector is coupled to a processor which analyzes, among other things, column height vs. time data to determine both viscosity and yield stress. The rheometer overcomes one of the major drawbacks of the conventional rheometer: the inability to produce the yield stress of the ER, or MR, fluid in an absolute zero shear rate range.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2000Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.Inventors: Seyhun Shin, Young Cho, Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer
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Publication number: 20020169370Abstract: A blood viscosity measuring system and method that monitors the rising head of a column of fluid representing a living being's blood in-vivo to determine the blood viscosity over a range of shears. The system includes a capillary tube, at least a portion of which is located within the vascular system of the being, and a riser tube, having a liquid therein coupled to the capillary tube. A sensor and associated microprocessor are provided to determine the change in the height of the liquid in the riser tube at plural points along the length of the tube from which the viscosity is calculated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Applicant: RHEOLOGICS, INC.Inventors: Kenneth Kensey, John E. Nash, Harold E. Clupper
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Publication number: 20020148281Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of the circulating blood of a living being over plural shear rates caused by a decreasing pressure differential by monitoring the changing weight of the blood, or the changing level of a column of blood over time. The apparatus and method utilize a riser, a capillary tube, a collector and a mass detector, such as a precision balance or a load cell, for monitoring the changing weight of a sample of fluid that flows through these components under the influence of the decreasing pressure differential; alternatively, the apparatus and method use a column level detector to monitor the changing level of the column of blood over time.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Applicant: RHEOLOGICS, INC.Inventors: Sehyun Shin, Young Cho, Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim