Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed an innovative ultrasound technology capable of measuring blood viscosity non-invasively and in real time. This advancement addresses a crucial health metric that has often been overlooked in routine medical assessments, which typically focus on vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels.
The study, published in the Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, highlights the significance of blood viscosity—how thick or sticky blood is as it circulates throughout the body. According to lead author Nilesh Salvi, a research scientist at the university’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, viscosity is linked to six of the ten leading causes of death in the United States, including heart disease, cancer, and stroke. “Thick, sluggish blood forces the heart to work harder and can increase the risk of clots or tissue damage,” Salvi explained.
Revolutionizing Health Monitoring
The new device utilizes ultrasound waves to measure blood viscosity in real time. What sets this technology apart is its sophisticated software, which gently vibrates the blood using a continuous sound wave while simultaneously sensing its response. A powerful algorithm then analyzes the sound’s movement through the body, allowing for simultaneous measurements of both blood density and viscosity.
This pioneering tool was not initially intended for medical applications. Salvi, who holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Mizzou’s College of Engineering, first designed the system to monitor oil quality in engines. Following this, he founded a startup focused on developing engine sensors for real-time lubricant monitoring. With the support of his mentor, Jinglu Tan, a professor of chemical and biomedical engineering, Salvi began exploring how the same principles could apply to biological fluids.
Recognizing the medical potential, William Fay, a professor of medical pharmacology and physiology at Mizzou’s School of Medicine, encouraged Salvi to investigate the technology’s clinical applications. “Measuring blood viscosity has always been a challenge,” Fay noted. “Specialized lab equipment is needed, and most hospitals don’t have it. This new device could be transformative—it allows accurate, real-time viscosity readings without ever drawing blood.”
Potential Impact on Disease Management
Traditionally, blood viscosity is assessed through blood samples, a process that can alter the blood’s natural properties. In contrast, the Mizzou device measures viscosity directly within the body, providing insights into its true behavior. “Blood is a living organ,” Tan stated. “You can’t take it out and expect it to behave the same way. Measuring it in situ is what makes our approach so powerful.”
The implications of this technology could be significant for managing conditions such as sickle cell anemia, where irregularly shaped blood cells increase viscosity and threaten organ health. Continuous monitoring could aid in tailoring transfusions or medications to meet each patient’s real-time needs, rather than relying on scheduled assessments.
Ongoing research aims to prepare for human trials, with Salvi’s long-term vision being to establish blood viscosity as a standard vital sign alongside heart rate and oxygen levels. Since the invention primarily relies on software, it can function on inexpensive hardware, potentially leading to affordable, portable devices. Salvi mentioned that a prototype could be constructed using readily available components, paving the way for future wearable health technologies.
“This isn’t just a new device,” Salvi emphasized. “It’s a new way of thinking about the human body. Once we can see viscosity in real time, we’ll gain a clearer understanding of blood flow and disease progression in ways we never could before.”
For more information, refer to the work of Nilesh Salvi et al., “A Model-Based Method for In Situ Viscosity Measurement With Continuous-Wave Ultrasound,” published in March 2025.
