Abstract: Time-based sag in a fluid can be measured non-invasively using a time-based sag testing apparatus by measuring the change in rotational inertia over time of fluid having no initial density gradient and a center of mass initially coincident with its geometric center.

Abstract: An elastic material vibration test apparatus includes a lower support plate having an upper surface on which an elastic material to be tested is placed, an upper support plate disposed above the lower support plate to be spaced apart from the lower support plate, a pillar connecting the lower support plate and the upper support plate, a pressing rod configured to pass through the upper support plate and ascend and descend in a vertical direction, an air bearing installed on the upper support plate and supporting an outer surface of the pressing rod in a non-contact state, a pressing plate coupled to a lower end of the pressing rod to press an upper surface of the elastic material, and one or more weights coupled to the pressing rod above the air bearing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, such as in a biological fluid collected during a surgical procedure. The method and devices include the use of a RBC flocculant, such as polyDADMAC, and an approximate blood hematocrit for the type of animal, as well as a calculated RBC packing ratio corresponding to the collection device being used. Also provided is a Blood Indicator Panel (BIP), comprising a series of markings calculated from an observed red blood settlement volume, the average animal type hematocrit, and a calculated RBC packing ratio “?” value for the collection device. Pediatric (about 200 ml or 250 ml size container), adult human (about 1,000 ml-1,500 ml) and veterinary (about 500 ml-2,500 ml) collection containers are also disclosed, that include a RBC flocculant, for use in approximating blood volume in a fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for the separation of blood components including separation by rapid sedimentation, including in an automated fashion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to evaluate an amount of a biological sample in a specimen container. A fixture has a bottom surface configured to support a specimen container. A reference indicator is disposed at a predetermined height relative to the bottom surface. The reference indicator is configured to facilitate a visual comparison of the reference indicator with a height of a volume of a biological sample in the specimen container.

Abstract: An apparatus to determine the blood sedimentation rate and other parameters connected thereto, carried out by emitting, by means of emitter means, a beam of radiations which passes through a sample being examined, and by detecting, by means of receiver means, the beam of radiations after they have passed through said sample, comprising a reading chamber associated to at least a tube connected to a feed of the sample to be analyzed. Said reading chamber is at least partly transparent to radiations in a certain range of wavelengths, and has at least a substantially rectilinear segment of reduced size into which the sample to be analyzed is introduced. The reading chamber consists of a tube made of plastic material, or glass, defining a capillary channel coupled to said tube in fluidic continuity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically testing high pressure and high temperature sedimentation of slurries is described. The method includes pumping a sample drilling fluid into a test cell. The sample drilling fluid may be subjected to a pre-determined pressure and a pre-determined temperature for a pre-determined period of time. The test cell may also be oriented at non-vertical angle. The sample drilling fluid may be pumped out of the test cell and the density of the sample drilling fluid automatically measured relative to a displaced fluid volume of the sample drilling fluid.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and method of its use. A workable microfluidic device (100) includes a channel (116) extending between an entry aperture (230) and a vent (118). Part of the channel (116) is arranged to permit interrogation of particles carried by a fluid passing therethrough. Suction structure carried on the device (100) is disposed in fluid communication with the channel operably to apply a reduced pressure at the entry aperture (230) effective to infuse an amount of fluid through the entry aperture and into a receiving zone (122, 122?, 122?) of the channel. The entry aperture (230) is placed into a bulk fluid, and the suction structure is operated to load a sample into the microfluidic device (100).

Abstract: The invention provides a simple, inexpensive, accurate, and rapid method of measuring particle settling velocity comprising: (i) providing a gravity settler such as a column; (ii) filling the column with a first homogenous particle suspension, wherein the particle concentration in the first homogenous particle suspension is X, (iii) separating the column into an upper sub-column and a lower sub-column with a height h after settling the first homogenous particle suspension for a period of time t, wherein some particles remain in the upper sub-column; (iv) removing the particle suspension in the upper sub-column and mixing the particle suspension confined in the lower sub-column with a height h to prepare a second homogenous particle suspension; (v) measuring the particle concentration in the second homogenous particle suspension X; and (vi) determining the particle settling velocity v with the formula: v=h(X?X)ltX. Also provided are device and system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method of determining one or more minimum rheological properties of a particle laden fluid is disclosed. The method includes determining one or more rheological properties of the fluid at a first shear rate, determining the settling velocity of the particles at the first shear rate, and obtaining a transport index for the fluid, the transport index indicating a relationship between the settling velocity and the one or more rheological properties.

Abstract: A profile apparatus that is useful in measuring sediment oxygen demand and methods utilizing the same.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device, the method includes providing a semiconductor substrate, applying a slurry to the semiconductor substrate, wherein the slurry was tested using a testing method includes taking a first undiluted sample from a top of the slurry; determining a first particle size distribution characteristic of the first undiluted sample; taking a second undiluted sample from a bottom of the slurry; determining a second particle size distribution characteristic of the second undiluted sample; and comparing a difference between the first particle size distribution characteristic and the second particle size distribution characteristics with a first predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for calibrating machines suitable to effect an analysis of a blood sample by measuring the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and/or aggregation of the red corpuscles, wherein the measurement is effected by exploiting the optical density kinetics obtained from the measurement of the variation in the optical density of the blood sample in an interval of time, to include measuring in which, by the same machine with which the measurement of the optical density is effected on the blood sample, a measurement is effected of the optical density of two latexes, or turbidimetric samples. Each of the two latexes has a known optical density that is reproducible, measurable and different from each other. The method also calibrates in which the difference is calculated between the values of optical density of the latexes as obtained from the measurement performed by the machine and the known values of optical density, to determine at least one correction factor usable to calibrate machine.

Abstract: Integrated apparatus and method for hematological analyses, wherein the apparatus comprises, arranged substantially in line and integrated substantially in a single machine, a device (14) of the optical type to detect substantially instantaneously the speed of blood sedimentation (ESR) by measuring the optical density, or absorbance, of the blood sample, and a measuring assembly (18) with a cell-counter function or suchlike.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described by which means molecules in suspension may be characterized in terms of the size and mass distributions present. As a sample solution is separated by centrifugal means, it is illuminated at a particular radial distance from the axis of rotation by a fine, preferably monochromatic, light beam. Despite the high resolution of such devices, a key problem associated with most separators based upon use of centrifugal forces is the difficulty in deriving the absolute size and/or molar mass of the separating molecules. By integrating means to detect light scattered, over a range of scattering angles, from samples undergoing centrifugal separation, molecular sizes in the sub-micrometer range may be derived, even in the presence of diffusion. Adding a second light beam at a displaced rotational angle, preferably of an ultraviolet wavelength, that intersects the sample at the same radial region as the first beam permits determination of the molecular concentration at that region.

Abstract: A system for determining properties of settling suspensions includes a settling container, a mixer, and devices for ultrasonic interrogation transverse to the settling direction. A computer system controls operation of the mixer and the interrogation devices and records the response to the interrogating as a function of settling time, which is then used to determine suspension properties. Attenuation versus settling time for dilute suspensions, such as dilute wood pulp suspension, exhibits a peak at different settling times for suspensions having different properties, and the location of this peak is used as one mechanism for characterizing suspensions. Alternatively or in addition, a plurality of ultrasound receivers are arranged at different angles to a common transmitter to receive scattering responses at a variety of angles during particle settling. Angular differences in scattering as a function of settling time are also used to characterize the suspension.

Abstract: A partitioning sediment trap adapted to be positioned in a body of water comprising an elongate, vertically alignable transparent collecting tube having an open upper end and a closed lower end for collecting, over a longer period of time, natural materials, contaminants, and polluting substances that accumulate in the body of water. A generally funnel-shaped cone is positioned with the small diameter end thereof extending into the open end of the collecting tube to magnify the amount of material collected. Means are also provided for automatically and efficiently partitioning and isolating undisturbed material accumulated in the collecting tube at regular time intervals.

Abstract: A system for determining properties of settling suspensions includes a settling container, a mixer, and devices for ultrasonic interrogation transverse to the settling direction. A computer system controls operation of the mixer and the interrogation devices and records the response to the interrogating as a function of settling time, which is then used to determine suspension properties. Attenuation versus settling time for dilute suspensions, such as dilute wood pulp suspension, exhibits a peak at different settling times for suspensions having different properties, and the location of this peak is used as one mechanism for characterizing suspensions. Alternatively or in addition, a plurality of ultrasound receivers are arranged at different angles to a common transmitter to receive scattering responses at a variety of angles during particle settling. Angular differences in scattering as a function of settling time are also used to characterize the suspension.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to determine the speed of sedimentation of blood and other parameters connected thereto, said method being carried out by detecting the development over time of the optical density, or absorbance, of a sample of blood, said sample being sent in the form of a flow inside a capillary container (12), said detection being made in correspondence with a point of said capillary container (12) and the relative data acquired being processed to obtain said speed of sedimentation and said connected parameters, said method providing to instantly interrupt the flow of the blood sample flowing inside said capillary container (12), in order to determine a thickening of the red cells in said blood sample and their consequent sedimentation, said detection being made substantially simultaneously with said instant interruption.

Abstract: A control and system for blood testing, including a control having stabilized blood cells that have been introduced into a suspension including an aggregating agent and preferably a surfactant. The control and system is used advantageously for indirect acute protein plasma measurement, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate testing.

Abstract: A measuring technology of sedimentation rate of sediments in a liquid sample capable of measuring, for example, the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes in a patient requiring an urgent medical treatment in about ¼ of the time needed in the conventional measuring method, and also capable of measuring the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes in an infant limited in the blood sampling volume. A test container filled with a liquid sample is inclined and held at a specific inclination angle, light is projected to this test container, the light passing through the test container is electrically detected by a line sensor or the like, the liquid level of the supernatant in the liquid sample and the position of the boundary of the supernatant and sediments are calculated to obtained the depth of the sediments, and the sedimentation rate of the sediments is calculated from the depth of the sediments and the measuring time.

Abstract: A three-phase suspension suitable for use as an erythrocyte sedimentation rate control having the following three components: (1) a synthetic plasma base, (2) a high molecular weight polymer, and (3) mammalian red blood cells. The control is designed to allow the user to monitor the accuracy and precision of analytical methods for determining the sedimentation rate of human erythrocytes in whole blood specimens.

Abstract: A method for determining the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes (ESR) includes the steps of placing an anticoagulated sample of whole blood in a transparent capillary tube and subjecting the blood sample and the tube to centrifugation. The position of the erythrocyte/plasma interface in the blood sample is determined at known time intervals during centrifugation of the blood sample. A point during centrifugation wherein the position of the erythrocyte/plasma interface becomes non-linear relative to elapsed centrifugation time is determined; and the slope of successive non-linear interface positions which are observed at subsequent elapsed centrifugation times occurring between the aforesaid point, to the time of substantial completion of centrifugation of the sample, is calculated.