Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a groundbreaking non-invasive ultrasound technology designed to measure blood viscosity in real time. This innovative method could enhance patient monitoring and management by providing insights into a vital yet often overlooked health metric.
Transforming Health Monitoring
Traditionally, healthcare providers have relied on standard vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure to assess a patient’s health. However, the viscosity of blood—the thickness or stickiness that affects its flow—has remained largely unmeasured until now. According to Nilesh Salvi, a research scientist at Mizzou’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, viscosity plays a crucial role in various health conditions, linking it to six of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States, including heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
“Blood pressure tells us what’s happening to the vessel walls, but it doesn’t tell us about the blood itself. Viscosity could be that missing piece,” Salvi explained.
The newly developed device utilizes ultrasound waves to assess blood viscosity without the need for invasive procedures. The technology operates by sending a continuous sound wave through the bloodstream while simultaneously measuring how the blood responds to this wave. A sophisticated algorithm then analyzes the movement of sound through the body, providing accurate, real-time measurements of both blood density and viscosity.
From Engines to Health Care
Interestingly, this technology was not initially designed for medical applications. Salvi, who earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. at Mizzou’s College of Engineering, originally created the system to monitor oil quality in engines. His work led to the establishment of a startup focused on developing real-time engine sensors. With mentorship from Jinglu Tan, a professor of chemical and biomedical engineering, Salvi shifted his focus to biological fluids and explored the potential clinical applications of his invention.
Further encouragement came from William Fay, a professor of medical pharmacology and physiology at Mizzou’s School of Medicine. Fay recognized the medical implications of the technology, asserting that traditional methods for measuring blood viscosity typically rely on specialized laboratory equipment not widely available in hospitals. “This new device could be a game changer—it allows accurate, real-time viscosity readings without ever drawing blood,” he noted.
Current methods of assessing blood viscosity often involve taking blood samples, a process that can alter the blood’s natural properties. In contrast, the Mizzou device measures viscosity directly within the body, ensuring a more accurate representation of blood behavior.
“Blood is a living organ. You can’t take it out and expect it to behave the same way,” Tan stated. “Measuring it in the body—in situ—is what makes our approach so powerful.”
This innovative tool could significantly impact the management of conditions like sickle cell anemia, where irregularly shaped blood cells increase viscosity and threaten organ health. Continuous monitoring using this technology could allow for personalized treatment plans, adjusting transfusions or medications based on real-time data rather than fixed schedules.
Future Implications
Researchers at the University of Missouri are continuing their studies in preparation for human trials, with the long-term goal of making blood viscosity a standard vital sign alongside heart rate and oxygen levels. Salvi emphasizes that because the invention is primarily software-based, it can operate on affordable hardware, potentially resulting in cost-effective and portable devices. This innovation may pave the way for future wearable health technologies.
“This isn’t just a new device,” Salvi remarked. “It’s a new way of thinking about the human body. Once we can see viscosity in real time, we’ll understand blood flow and disease progression in ways we never could before.”
The findings from this research were published in the Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control in March 2025.
