Flow meter having a background pattern with first and second portions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flow meter, comprising:
- a first image sensor having a first field of view, wherein the first image sensor is positioned to view a drip chamber within the first field of view;
a background pattern positioned within the field of view of the first image sensor, wherein the background pattern includes first and second portions, the second portion of the background pattern is configured for detection of a free flow condition within the drip chamber; and
at least one processor operatively coupled to the first image sensor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to;
receive a first image from the first image sensor, andestimate at least one parameter of liquid within the drip chamber in accordance with a distortion of the background pattern caused by the liquid as indicated by the first image.
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Abstract
A flow meter includes a first image sensor, a background pattern, and at least one processor. The first image sensor has a first field of view and is positioned to view a drip chamber within the first field of view. The background pattern is positioned within the field of view of the first image sensor, and the background pattern includes first and second portions. The processor is operatively coupled to the first image sensor and configured to: receive a first image from the first image sensor, and estimate at least one parameter of liquid within the drip chamber in accordance with a distortion of the background pattern caused by the liquid as indicated by the first image.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A flow meter, comprising:
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a first image sensor having a first field of view, wherein the first image sensor is positioned to view a drip chamber within the first field of view; a background pattern positioned within the field of view of the first image sensor, wherein the background pattern includes first and second portions, the second portion of the background pattern is configured for detection of a free flow condition within the drip chamber; and at least one processor operatively coupled to the first image sensor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; receive a first image from the first image sensor, and estimate at least one parameter of liquid within the drip chamber in accordance with a distortion of the background pattern caused by the liquid as indicated by the first image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A flow meter, comprising:
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a first image sensor having a first field of view, wherein the first image sensor is positioned to view a drip chamber within the first field of view; a background pattern positioned within the field of view of the first image sensor, wherein the background pattern includes first and second portions, wherein the first portion of the background pattern is different from the second portion of the background pattern; and at least one processor operatively coupled to the first image sensor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; receive a first image from the first image sensor, and estimate at least one parameter of liquid within the drip chamber in accordance with a distortion of the background pattern caused by the liquid as indicated by the first image. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method for monitoring a drip chamber, comprising:
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positioning a background pattern behind the drip chamber, the background pattern includes first and second portions; capturing a first image of the drip chamber including the background pattern; examining a distortion of the background pattern; and estimating at least one parameter of liquid using the examination of the distortion.
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Specification