DEVELOPMENT OF A SIMPLE PORTABLE VISCO/DENSITOMETER

描述(逐字摘自申请者摘要)：本项目地址 没有合适的技术来测试一致性的问题 (粘度和密度)--食用点的流质；适当的 是指便宜、卫生、易用、可靠。确定 在临床上，食用前食物的一致性是至关重要的 言语障碍(吞咽困难的一种情况)的管理， 特别是考虑到粘度对温度的强烈依赖性。 吞咽困难影响到600万到1000万美国人，必须通过 持续的基础上。这项研究的目的是开发一种技术-- 它可以在小型、廉价、便携的设备中实现--用于 同时测量流体的粘度和密度。实验室 将在第一阶段进行试验，以确定 超声波技术就是为了这个目的。将设计一个原型装置，并 在第二阶段对人体进行测试。申请者计划积极 第三阶段追求商业化。 建议的商业应用： 拟议的技术将满足人们对便携式、廉价和 可重复使用的设备，将为估计600-1000万美国人和世界各地的其他人提供服务 他们有吞咽困难的症状。预计将出售给医院、疗养院和个人。

DESCRIPTION (Verbatim from the Applicant's Abstract): This project addresses the problem that no suitable technique exists for testing the consistency (viscosity and density) of food-fluids at the point of consumption; by suitable is meant inexpensive, hygienic easy-to-use, and reliable. Determining the consistency of foods just prior to consumption is crucial in the clinical management of dysphasia (a condition that makes swallowing difficult), particularly in view of the strong dependence of viscosity on temperature. Dysphagia affects between 6 and 10 million Americans and must be managed on a continuing basis. The objective of the research is to develop a technique - which can be implemented in a small, inexpensive, portable device - for simultaneously measuring viscosity and density of fluids. Laboratory experiments will be conducted in Phase I to establish feasibility to an ultrasonic technique for this purpose. A prototype device will be designed and tested on human subjects in Phase II. The applicants plan to aggressively pursuer commercialization in Phase III. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The proposed technology will fill a long-standing need for a portable, inexpensive and reusable device that will serve the estimated 6-10 million Americans and others world-wide who suffer from dysphagia. Sale to hospitals, nursing homes, and individuals are foreseen.