Abstract: The present invention features essentially only two relatively movable components, of which an outer sheath provides a forwardly curved path, a flexible mouth and a forwardly extending reference foot, and an inner flexible shaft has a forward element, which serves to open the mouth and to collect a mucus specimen when the flexible shaft moves forwardly and which serves to protect the mucus specimen and to close the mouth when the flexible shaft moves rearwardly.A probe is provided for inserting a test element into the vaginal cavity while shielding it from intermediate vaginal contact, for positioning the test element precisely in contact with the cervical os in order to collect a specimen of cervical material therefrom, and for retrieving the test element and the specimen from the vaginal cavity while shielding them from intermediate vaginal contact.

Abstract: Testing of rheological properties of a fluid is performed between a pair of members having cooperating faces, each characterized by minute, randomly interspersed land portions and cavity portions. The land portions of each face are planar and are disposed geometrically in a common plane. The cavity portions are irregular and are disposed in a network subordinate to the common plane. Testing involves the steps of placing a sample of the fluid between the cooperating faces, pressing the cooperating faces into flush contact with each other, and pulling the cooperating faces from each other. The force required for rupture of the fluid within itself, without first breaking its contact with the cooperating faces, is a function of the shear stress, yield point and other rheological properties of the fluid.

Abstract: Testing of rheological properties of a fluid is performed between a pair of members having cooperating faces, each characterized by minute, randomly interspersed land portions and cavity portions. The land portions of each face are planar and are disposed geometrically in a common plane. The cavity portions are irregular and are disposed in a network subordinate to the common plane. Testing involves the steps of placing a sample of the fluid between the cooperating faces, pressing the cooperating faces into flush contact with each other, and pulling the cooperating faces from each other. The force required for rupture of the fluid within itself, without first breaking its contact with the cooperating faces, is a function of the shear stress, yield point and other rheological properties of the fluid.

Abstract: An instrument for obtaining and testing a bodily mucus for determining the rheological properties of the bodily mucus in order to ascertain menstrual cycle phase comprises a sample collecting probe and a bearing member. A mucus sample from a bodily cavity is obtained by inserting the sample collecting probe into the cavity. The working end of the probe on which the mucus sample is collected defines an inner bearing element having an outer bearing surface of predetermined grit, the mucus sample being carried on the outer bearing surface. The bearing member is provided with an outer bearing element having an inner bearing surface of predetermined grit. The inner bearing element is received within the outer bearing element in such a manner that the mucus sample introduced between the outer bearing surface and the inner bearing surface is extruded therebetween. One bearing element is biased and the other bearing element is fixed.

Abstract: A probe is provided for inserting a test element into the vaginal cavity while shielding it from intermediate vaginal contact, for positioning the test element precisely in contact with the cervical os in order to collect a specimen of cervical material therefrom, and for retrieving the test element and the specimen from the vaginal cavity while shielding them from intermediate vaginal contact. Processes are provided for retrieving specimens in the form of tissue or mucus.

Abstract: A probe, for obtaining a sample of an oftentimes minute in vivo quantity of cervical mucus, comprises a syringe-like structure characterized by an apertured specimen cavity of variable size that is defined by an outer barrel and an inner plunger of particular configurations capable of producing relative peristaltic motion. The forward end of the barrel, which is rigid, has a forward opening which communicates with a relatively deep internal concave surface. The forward end of the plunger, which is elastomeric, has a relatively shallow external convex surface that deforms as the plunger reciprocates. As the plunger moves forwardly, the external increments of its convex surface are deformed in such a way as to completely fill the specimen cavity and to ensure that even minute amounts of cervical mucus inducted into the specimen cavity through the forward opening can be ejected completely from the specimen cavity through the forward opening when desired.

Abstract: A device for determining the rheological properties of a liquid comprises an inner bearing member having a horizontally disposed outer cylindrical surface and an outer bearing member having a horizontally disposed inner cylindrical surface, each cylindrical surface constituting a bearing surface of predetermined grit. A liquid sample is introduced between the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, which are disposed eccentrically relative to one another. Relative mechanical movement of the members, which is related to both shear and displacement of the liquid disposed between them, provides an indication of the rheological properties of the liquid.

Abstract: A biological fluid is introduced into the sheer region between a pair of bearing members which are biased for relative motion and which are characterized by a particular surface finish. The rheological properties of the biological fluid are a function of the lubricity of this biological fluid.

Abstract: A mucus sample from a bodily cavity is introduced between inner and outer bearing members, one of which is fixed, one of which is biased, and both of which have bearing surfaces of predetermined surface finish. Relative mechanical movement of the members indicates menstrual cycle phase.

Abstract: A mucus sample is positioned between a pair of plates at specific pressure and temperature. At least one of the plates is transparent to certain radiation and at least one of the plates is formed with ports for extrusion of the sample in order to provide a mucus stratum of predetermined thickness between the plates for measurement of optical transmissivity and/or diffusivity as an indication of the phase of the menstrual cycle.

Abstract: A method for obtaining and testing a bodily mucus for determining the rheological properties of the bodily mucus in order to ascertain menstrual cycle phase using a sample collecting probe and a bearing member. A mucus sample from a bodily cavity is obtained by inserting the sample collecting probe into the cavity. The working end of the probe on which the mucus sample is collected defines an inner bearing element having an outer bearing surface of predetermined grit, the mucus sample being carried on the outer bearing surface. The bearing member is provided with an outer bearing element having an inner bearing surface of predetermined grit. The inner bearing element is received within the outer bearing element in such a manner that the mucus sample introduced between the outer bearing surface and the inner bearing surface is extruded therebetween. One bearing element is biased and the other bearing element is fixed.

Abstract: A device for determining the rheological properties of a fluid comprises a pair of cooperating members, the working face of each member defining parallel discrete ridges or flutes, the outermost portions of which define ridge lines, the ridges of one member being crossed with respect to the ridges of the other member. A fluid sample is applied to the working face of one member and the working faces are pressed together so that the ridge lines of one member intersect the ridge lines of the other member at a matrix of points and so that volume increments of the fluid sample are defined. The contact surface area of the fluid sample with the substrate is substantially greater than the surface area of the general interface between the working faces. The force required to separate the fluid at the general interface defines the rheological properties of the fluid with improved accuracy.

Abstract: A mucus sample from a bodily cavity is introduced between inner and outer bearing members, one of which is fixed, one of which is biased, and both of which have bearing surfaces of predetermined surface finish. Relative mechanical movement of the members indicates menstrual cycle phase.

Abstract: A device for determining the rheological properties of a liquid comprises an inner bearing member having a horizontally disposed outer cylindrical surface and an outer bearing member having a horizontally disposed inner cylindrical surface, each cylindrical surface constituting a bearing surface of predetermined grit. A liquid sample is introduced between the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, which are disposed eccentrically relative to one another. Relative mechanical movement of the members, which is related to both shear and displacement of the liquid disposed between them, provides an indication of the rheological properties of the liquid.

Abstract: A mucus sample from a bodily cavity is introduced between inner and outer bearing members, one of which is fixed, one of which is biased, and both of which have bearing surfaces of predetermined surface finish. Relative mechanical movement of the members indicates menstrual cycle phase.