MONITOR FOR LIQUID LEVEL AND URINE FLOW

摘要

MONITOR FOR LIQUID LEVEL AND URINE FLOW Disclosed is an optical liquid level sensor comprising first and second prisms on opposite sides of a passage where the liquid level is to be detected. Light is transmitted through the first prism and in the absence of liquid the first prism deflects light from the second prism. In the presence of liquid, the liquid refracts the light into the second prism and down the axis of that prism in an uninterrupted path to a photodetector on that axis. Also disclosed is an apparatus including the level sensor for measuring the volume of urine being produced by a patient over a predetermined period. The apparatus includes a measuring chamber into which urine flows until the level sensor is activated by the collection of apredetermined amount of urine. The, a valve is opened to drain the chamber and the number of times the valve is opened during a collection period is electronically counted as a measurement of the volume of urine produced by the patient during this collection period. The measuring chamber and sensor form a sterilizable, disposable unit. PA-192:cc5/ks6 081985