A new method of measuring blood viscosity with a U-shaped scanning capillary-tube viscometer using a Casson model

The present study introduces a method to consider different surface tensions at two riser tubes for the viscosity measurements of fluids using a U-shaped scanning capillary-tube viscometer (SCTV). The accuracy and repeatability of the SCTV were demonstrated by comparing the viscosity results of distilled water obtained from the SCTV with the well-accepted reference data for water. Non-Newtonian viscosity of fresh human blood was measured at a body temperature of 37/spl deg/C. The results demonstrate that whole blood viscosity can be measured over a range of shear rates in less than 2-3 min without any anticoagulants using disposable U-shaped capillary-tube sets.