Abstract A method and device for measuring the deformation capacity of microscopic objects, more particularly, red blood corpuscles includes an enclosure comprising two mobile, coaxial, cylindrical walls which can rotate relative to one another. The objects to be measured are put into a liquid suspension and then placed between the two walls. An optical system directs a beam of light through the suspension and the diffraction characteristics of the undeformed objects may be observed and recorded. The cylindrical walls are then driven at different rotational speeds with respect to their common axis, and the diffraction characteristics of the deformed objects are observed and recorded. The deformation of the microscopic objects can be determined as a function of the relative speed of the walls by comparing the diffraction characteristics of the objects in their undeformed and deformed states.
A method of measuring the deformation and deformation capacity of microscopic objects in suspension in a liquid comprising the steps of : placing said suspension between inner and outer transparent coaxial walls having a common axis of rotation ; directing a beam of light through said liquid substantially normal to the common axis of said coaxial walls causing diffraction rings to form on a screen ; measuring the characteristic dimensions of the diffraction rings while said walls are at rest ; rotating said inner and outer coaxial walls at different speeds of rotation relative to their common axis of rotation ; measuring the characteristic dimensions of the diffraction rings while said walls are rotating relative to each other ; and determining the deformation and the deformation capacity of said microscopic objects as a function of the relative speed of rotation of the two walls.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of measuring the deformation and deformation capacity of microscopic objects in suspension in a liquid comprising the steps of : placing said suspension between inner and outer transparent coaxial walls having a common axis of rotation ; directing a beam of light through said liquid substantially normal to the common axis of said coaxial walls causing diffraction rings to form on a screen ; measuring the characteristic dimensions of the diffraction rings while said walls are at rest ; rotating said inner and outer coaxial walls at different speeds of rotation relative to their common axis of rotation ; measuring the characteristic dimensions of the diffraction rings while said walls are rotating relative to each other ; and determining the deformation and the deformation capacity of said microscopic objects as a function of the relative speed of rotation of the two walls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein an inert macromolecule such as dextran is added to said suspension to increase its viscosity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said microscopic objects are red blood corpuscles
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner wall is immobile when said outer wall is rotating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
135 words
A device implementing the method according to claim 1 comprising : an outer cylindrical wall ; an inner cylindrical wall disposed with said outer cylindrical wall, and coaxial with said outer wall, the distance between walls forming an annular space ; rotating means connected to said outer and inner cylindrical walls for driving said walls at different rotational speeds with respect to their common axis : a light source disposed adjacent to said outer and inner walls ; directing means connected to one of said walls for directing the light beams from said light source through said suspension in a parallel light beam substantially normal to the common axis of said walls; and imaging means adjacent to said walls for observing the pattern of diffraction of said light beam after if passes through said suspension.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 5 further including recording means for recording the diffraction pattern of said microscopic objects.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein the radial thickness of said annular space is ≦ 1 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein said light source is a laser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein said microscopic objects are red blood corpuscles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein said walls are transparent.