System, method, and apparatus for monitoring, regulating, or controlling fluid flow
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an image sensor disposed in spaced relation to a drip chamber; and
at least one processor in communication with the image sensor to receive image data from the image sensor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to;
capture a first image of the drip chamber using the image sensor,detect a first edge of a drop using a template,capture a second image of the drip chamber using the image sensor,detect a second edge of the drop using the template,estimate flow through the drip chamber in accordance with the detected first and second edges of the drop as found within the first and second images, respectively,control a growth of the drop as indicated by the first and second detected edges of the drop,select a region of interest of the image sensor,determine if a pixel of the image sensor is within the region of interest,activate a light of a backlight if the pixel of the image sensor is within the region of interest, andexpose the pixel of the image sensor.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flow meter, and related system and method are provided. The flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, a valve, and one or more processors. The coupler is adapted to couple to a drip chamber. The support member is operatively coupled to the coupler. The image sensor has a field of view and is operatively coupled to the support member. The image sensor is positioned to view the drip chamber within the field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive image data therefrom and to the actuator to actuate the valve. The one or more processors are configured to estimate a flow of fluid through the drip chamber and to actuate the valve to control the flow of fluid through the drip chamber to achieve a target flow rate.
418 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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an image sensor disposed in spaced relation to a drip chamber; and at least one processor in communication with the image sensor to receive image data from the image sensor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; capture a first image of the drip chamber using the image sensor, detect a first edge of a drop using a template, capture a second image of the drip chamber using the image sensor, detect a second edge of the drop using the template, estimate flow through the drip chamber in accordance with the detected first and second edges of the drop as found within the first and second images, respectively, control a growth of the drop as indicated by the first and second detected edges of the drop, select a region of interest of the image sensor, determine if a pixel of the image sensor is within the region of interest, activate a light of a backlight if the pixel of the image sensor is within the region of interest, and expose the pixel of the image sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus, comprising:
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an image sensor disposed in spaced relation to a drip chamber; and at least one processor in communication with the image sensor to receive image data from the image sensor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; capture a first image of the drip chamber using the image sensor, detect a first edge of a drop using a template, capture a second image of the drip chamber using the image sensor, detect a second edge of the drop using the template, estimate flow through the drip chamber in accordance with the detected first and second edges of the drop as found within the first and second images, respectively, control a growth of the drop as indicated by the first and second detected edges of the drop, average pixels within a first result of the template to determine a first average, move the template to a second position, average pixels within a second result of the template when in the second position to determine a second average, and determine the template is located at the first edge of the drop if a difference between the second average and the first average is greater than a predetermined threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. An apparatus, comprising:
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an image sensor disposed in spaced relation to a drip chamber; a background pattern positioned within a field of view of the image sensor, wherein the drip chamber is between the image sensor and the background pattern, wherein the background pattern is an array of lines having at least one angle relative to an opening of the drip chamber when viewed from the image sensor within the field of view; and at least one processor in communication with the image sensor to receive image data from the image sensor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; capture a first image of the drip chamber using the image sensor, detect a first edge of a drop using a template, capture a second image of the drip chamber using the image sensor, detect a second edge of the drop using the template, estimate flow through the drip chamber in accordance with the detected first and second edges of the drop as found within the first and second images, respectively, and control a growth of the drop as indicated by the first and second detected edges of the drop, wherein; the at least one processor is configured to estimate at least one parameter using a plurality of images by analyzing a distortion of the background pattern caused by the liquid within the field of view as viewed by the image sensor, and the at least processor is configured to determine a free flow condition exists when the liquid causes the array of lines to change angles by distortion caused by the liquid when in the free flow condition as viewed within the field of view from the image sensor.
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24. An apparatus, comprising:
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an image sensor disposed in spaced relation to a drip chamber; a light adapted to provide light for the image sensor; and at least one processor in communication with the image sensor to receive image data from the image sensor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; subtract a first image from a background image to thereby generate a difference image, convert each pixel of the difference image to a true value if an absolute value of a respective pixel is beyond a predetermined threshold or to a false value if the absolute value of the respective pixel is less than the predetermined threshold, sum each row of the converted difference image to generate a plurality of summation values, wherein each summation value of the plurality of summation values corresponds to a respective row of the converted difference image, examine the plurality of summation values, capture the first image of the drip chamber using the image sensor, detect a first edge of a drop using a template, capture a second image of the drip chamber using the image sensor, detect a second edge of the drop using the template, estimate flow through the drip chamber in accordance with the detected first and second edges of the drop as found within the first and second images, respectively, and control a growth of the drop as indicated by the first and second detected edges of the drop.
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25. An apparatus, comprising:
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an image sensor disposed in spaced relation to a drip chamber; at least one processor in communication with the image sensor to receive image data from the image sensor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; capture a first image of the drip chamber using the image sensor, detect a first edge of a drop using a template, capture a second image of the drip chamber using the image sensor, detect a second edge of the drop using the template, control a growth of the drop as indicated by the first and second detected edges of the drop, average pixels within a first result of the template to determine a first average, move the template to a second position, average pixels within a second result of the template when in the second position to determine a second average, and determine the template is located at least one of the first edge and the second edge of the drop if a difference between the second average and the first average is greater than a predetermined threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification