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Intravenous Flow Rate Controller

  • US 20130083191A1
  • Filed: 09/28/2012
  • Published: 04/04/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for determining a rate of fluid flow in a fluid delivery system comprising a drip chamber and a length of tubing, the apparatus comprising:

  • a. a cradle configured to receive the drip chamber;

    b. a valve configured to receive the length of tubing and to control a rate of fluid flow through the length of tubing; and

    c. a flow rate determination element configured to determine a flow rate of fluid passing through the drip chamber, the flow rate determination element comprising, a camera for imaging activity within the drip chamber, a computing device, a memory storage coupled to the computing device, and a set of software instructions stored in the memory storage which when executed by the computing device causes the apparatus to carry out functions, the functions comprising;

    detecting a presence of a drop of fluid falling within the drip chamber;

    in response to the detecting, triggering the camera to capture a first image of the drip chamber with the drop falling therein;

    capturing a second image of the drip chamber with no drop falling therein;

    subtracting from the first image portions of the second image that appear in substantially the same position in each of the first and second images in order to create a drop image; and

    determining a volume of the drop based on the drop image.

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