AUTOMATIC PHYSIOLOGIC FLUID MEASURING DEVICE

摘要

When monitoring fluid output from a patient, a bodily fluid container (BFC) (12) is coupled to the patient and suspended from a scale (16). The scale (16) takes periodic or continuous weight measurements and transmits them to a patient monitor or workstation (40). A preceding weight measurement value is subtracted from the current weight measurement value to determine a change in weight since the last measurement. If the weight change value is within expected physiological range, it is then automatically converted to a volume value using a known density for the monitored fluid. The volume value is compared to historical data, and, if it is outside of a predefined range of expected values, an alarm is triggered to alert a healthcare technician that the patient requires attention.