| 摘要 |
An electronic apparatus for counting and recording a number of drops of fluid. The preferred embodiment of the invention is configured as a molded receptacle housing (130 in Fig. 13) for receiving a commercially available eyedrop bottle in which the cap has been replaced by the housing (130). The invention includes a detection means (10, 11 in Fig. 1) that detects the separation of drops from a fluid supply bottle, and counts and records (12 in Fig. 1) the number of such drops in a preset time period. Optionally, a real-time clock (32 in Fig. 2) time stamps the stream of drop count data so that the absolute time period during which drops are released is also ascertained and recorded. Optionally, a reminder signal or indication (73 in Fig. 7) is given to a patient as to the dosage and appropriate time for each eyedrop administration, or an alarm (74 in Fig. 7) is given if over or under medication is occurring. An alternative application is disclosed in which the drop detection and counting features of the invention are used in a feedback loop (140, 144, 145 in Fig. 14) to control the flow of fluid in a drop metering system. |
