Processes and devices for determining properties of bodily mucus

摘要

A device for determining the properties of a bodily mucus comprises a pair of cooperating members, the working face of each member defining a bearing surface of predetermined surface characteristics. A sample of bodily mucus is applied to the working face of one member or removed from the cervix using one of the cooperating members and the working faces are pressed together to form a plurality of mucus containing regions. The cooperating members are pulled apart. The surface area of the mucus containing regions is substantially greater than the surface area of the interface between the working faces, whereby the mucus is torn apart at the interface and is not separated from the surface of the mucus containing regions. The force required to tear the mucus at the interface defines the properties of the bodily mucus and provides an indication of menstrual cycle phase.