초록 ▼

A monitor is disclosed for measuring a liquid discharged from a patient's body. A housing defines a cavity having a floor. A substantially rigid wall container is removably positioned within the cavity, the container having a bottom wall portion supported on the floor of the cavity. A transducer is

A monitor is disclosed for measuring a liquid discharged from a patient's body. A housing defines a cavity having a floor. A substantially rigid wall container is removably positioned within the cavity, the container having a bottom wall portion supported on the floor of the cavity. A transducer is mounted in the floor of the cavity and engages the bottom wall portion of the container. The transducer is periodically engaged to transmit energy through the bottom wall portion and into a pool. The time duration required for the transmitted energy to travel from the transducer means to the upper surface of the pool and back again is determined, and this time duration is converted into a volume of fluid by reference to a look-up table, a mathematical algorithm, or both. The monitor includes an optical sensor to detect the presence of a container in the housing and provides an indication if no container is detected. The monitor also includes a transducer driving routine which drives the transducer at more than one output energy level, and responsive to detection of a weak return signal, the output energy level of a succeeding pulse is increased. A novel container is disclosed which includes a small well directly above the transducer, which has the effect of concentrating initial small amounts of liquid directly above the transducer to permit accurate readings of minute volumes of liquid.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for measuring a liquid discharged from a patient's body, comprising:a housing defining a cavity, said cavity having a floor;a substantially rigid wall container removably positioned within said cavity, said container having a bottom wall portion supported on

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for measuring a liquid discharged from a patient's body, comprising:a housing defining a cavity, said cavity having a floor;a substantially rigid wall container removably positioned within said cavity, said container having a bottom wall portion supported on said floor of said cavity;means for introducing said discharged liquid into the interior of said container to form a pool on an interior surface of said bottom wall portion;a transducer mounted in said floor and engaging said bottom wall portion of said container;means for periodically engaging said transducer to transmit energy through said bottom wall portion and said pool;means for determining the time duration required for said transmitted energy to travel from said transducer means to the upper surface of said pool and back again;light sensor means mounted on said housing adjacent said cavity for projecting a beam of light and for receiving a reflected beam of light;a reflective surface on said container disposed when said container is positioned within said cavity so as to reflect said projected light beam back toward said light sensor means; andmeans for detecting whether said light sensor is receiving said reflected beam of light and for providing an indication if said reflected beam is not detected;whereby said light sensor receives said reflected beam of light only when a container is positioned within said cavity.