Blood Test Without a Needle: New Method to Measure Viscosity Discovered

Scientists from the University of Missouri have developed a new technology that allows blood viscosity to be measured without drawing blood or using invasive procedures.
The study describing this breakthrough was published in the Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control.

Until now, doctors have relied mainly on standard indicators such as pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and temperature — while blood thickness, or its ability to flow through vessels, remained largely overlooked.

Blood viscosity plays a crucial role in health: the higher it is, the greater the strain on the heart and the higher the risk of clots or tissue damage.
The new system uses a continuous ultrasonic wave that passes through the blood and causes slight vibrations. A special algorithm then analyzes how the sound propagates and interacts with the blood to determine its density and viscosity directly inside the body.

Traditional methods of assessing blood viscosity require drawing a sample and performing laboratory tests — a process that can alter the blood’s natural properties. The new technology allows measurement in its natural state, resulting in more accurate data. Researchers emphasize that their goal is to make blood viscosity measurement as routine and informative as checking blood pressure or heart rate.

In the future, this innovation could transform the treatment of conditions where blood viscosity is especially important — such as sickle cell anemia.

Doctors may soon be able to monitor patients’ blood properties in real time, rather than relying solely on periodic lab tests. For now, the technology remains at the prototype and research stage, with upcoming steps including human trials and clinical implementation.

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