Patent · US Expired

Automatic urine flow meter

US4532936A · kind A · utility

40Cited by
4References
4Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 21, 1981
Grant dateAug 6, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 21, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01F3/38
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present inventive apparatus measures the output of urine optically, totalizes it and prints it on a self-adherent paper which can easily be afixed to the hospital chart. The apparatus includes a measurement column, an optical sensor to determine when the measurement column is empty, a peristaltic pump to empty the measurement column at a known rate, into a collection bag or specimen bottle and control logic to determine the volume removed from the column based on the pump rate. A display is also provided for easy observation of current output statistics. Specimens can be collected under automatic or manual control for biochemical analysis without contamination by contact or alteration by electrical current. An alarm may be sounded when the collection bag is in need of replacement, or when the urine output falls or rises to predetermined rates.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.