Drip rate measurement system and apparatus for medical fluid administration

Abstract

To provide an improved IV drip rate measurement system and associated drip chamber for use in an IV fluid administration system.SOLUTION: The present disclosure relates to a system for measuring drip rate including a drip chamber device including an elongated body having an inner surface defining a chamber, and a drip rate measurement device. The drip chamber may be fluidly coupled to a container containing IV fluid configured to drip droplets of the IV fluid into the chamber, and the drip rate measurement device may include a housing and a load cell transducer. The load cell transducer may be configured to measure the weight of a droplet of IV fluid and convert the weight into an electrical signal. The drip rate measurement device may include a controller electrically coupled to the load cell transducer to process the electrical signal and output at least one parameter associated with the IV fluid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the administration of parenteral fluids to patients via intravenous (IV) sets, and more particularly to an improved IV drip rate measurement system and associated drip chamber for use in IV fluid administration systems. [Background technology]

[0002] An IV set for administering parenteral fluids generally comprises a drip chamber, a length of clear plastic tubing attached to the discharge end of the drip chamber, one or more clamps to regulate fluid flow through the clear tubing, and a means at the distal end of the tubing for attaching a hypodermic needle to be inserted into a patient's vein or artery. The drip chamber is generally cylindrical in shape and has a pointed, hollow element (i.e., a piercing element) at its top adapted to pierce a rubber or elastomeric seal on an inverted bottle of parenteral fluid to expel fluid from the bottle into the drip chamber. The cylindrical wall of the drip chamber is formed from a clear plastic material to allow detection of fluid dripped into the chamber.

[0003] Fluid flow to a patient is typically determined by detecting the number of droplets of fluid that fall into a drip chamber over a period of time and then multiplying the number of droplets by a standard number used for the volume of each droplet. When this method of flow detection is performed manually, it is often subject to inaccuracies as a result of human error. Furthermore, continuous monitoring can be time-consuming.

[0004] The descriptions provided in the Background Art section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because they are mentioned in or associated with the Background Art section. The Background Art section may include information that describes one or more aspects of the subject technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for measuring a drip rate may include a drip chamber device having an elongated body including an inner surface defining a chamber, and a drip rate measurement device. The drip chamber may be fluidly coupled to a container containing an IV fluid configured to drip droplets of the IV fluid into the chamber. The drip rate measurement device may include a housing configured to be attached to the elongated body of the drip chamber, and a load cell transducer attached to the elongated body and extending into the chamber. The load cell transducer may be configured to measure a weight of the droplet of IV fluid and convert the weight into an electrical signal. The drip rate measurement device may further include a controller electrically coupled to the load cell transducer to process the electrical signal and output at least one parameter related to the IV fluid.

[0006] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for measuring the drip rate of an IV fluid may include a drip chamber fluidly coupled to a container containing an IV fluid configured to drip droplets of the IV fluid into the drip chamber. The drip chamber may include an opening extending laterally from an outer surface of a sidewall of the drip chamber to the interior of the drip chamber. A drip rate measuring device may be removably coupled to the drip chamber. The drip rate measuring device may include a housing and a load cell transducer mounted on the housing. The load cell transducer may extend into the drip chamber through the opening when the drip rate measuring device is coupled to the drip chamber. The load cell transducer may be configured to measure a weight of the IV fluid droplet and convert the weight into an electrical signal. A controller may be electrically coupled to the load cell transducer to process the electrical signal and output at least one parameter related to the IV fluid.

[0007] It is understood that other configurations of the subject technology will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various configurations of the subject technology are shown and described by way of example. As will be realized, the subject technology is capable of other different configurations, and its several details can be modified in various other respects without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

[0008] The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the embodiments and should not be viewed as exclusive examples. The disclosed subject matter is capable of considerable modification, alteration, combination, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those skilled in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an IV set including a drip chamber device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] 1 illustrates a front view of a system for measuring drop velocity, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates a perspective view of a system for measuring drop velocity, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] 1 illustrates a drop chamber device with an integrated load cell transducer, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] 1 illustrates a drop chamber device with an integrated load cell transducer that is removably coupleable to the drop chamber, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the interrelationship between various components of a drop rate measurement device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The detailed description set forth below describes various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details intended to provide a thorough understanding of the subject technology. Thus, dimensions may be provided for particular embodiments as non-limiting examples. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology.

[0011] It should be understood that the present disclosure includes examples of the subject technology and does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Various aspects of the subject technology are disclosed herein by way of specific, but non-limiting, examples. The various embodiments described in the present disclosure may be implemented in different ways and with modifications according to the desired application or implementation.

[0012] This description relates generally to the administration of parenteral fluids to patients via intravenous (IV) sets, and more particularly to an improved IV drip rate measurement system and associated drip chamber for use in IV fluid administration systems. In particular, various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a drip rate measurement system including a drip chamber device having an elongated body including an inner surface defining a chamber, and a drip rate measurement device. The drip chamber may be fluidly coupled to a container containing IV fluid configured to drip droplets of the IV fluid into the chamber. The drip rate measurement device may include a housing configured to attach to the elongated body of the drip chamber and a load cell transducer attached to the elongated body and extending into the chamber. In some embodiments, the load cell transducer may be a strain gauge-based load cell transducer. The strain gauge-based load cell transducer may be configured to measure the weight of the IV fluid droplet and convert the weight into an electrical signal. The drip rate measuring device may further include a controller electrically coupled to the load cell transducer to process the electrical signal and output at least one parameter related to the IV fluid, in particular the drip rate of the IV fluid.

[0013] Therefore, the various embodiments of the IV fluid drop rate monitoring and measuring systems and devices described herein are advantageous in utilizing strain gauge-based load cell transducers that accurately base drop rate on the actual weight of the droplets, as opposed to basing drop rate on droplet count. The foregoing configuration is advantageous compared to existing systems and devices that measure drop or droplet rate without measuring the actual weight of the droplets. Instead, existing systems and devices use infrared (IR) light to count droplets and track spacing between droplets. Infrared (IR) or other optical sensors are used to determine the flow rate. This method is not always accurate because the size and volume of droplets dripping into the drip chamber can change over time due to factors such as variations in specific gravity, viscosity, density, pressure, and gravity in the IV fluid bag or container. Therefore, existing systems, devices, and methods that calculate drip rate without taking into account the actual weight of each droplet can inaccurately over- or under-estimate IV fluid drip or droplet velocity.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-line IV extension set 1 including a drip chamber device 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The IV set 1 may include an IV bag 30 containing parenteral fluid suspended from an IV stand (not shown). The IV set 1 as illustrated may include the drip chamber device 10, tubing 4, a roller clam 2 for manual flow control, a Y-site connector, a filter 5, and an adapter or luer 8 for connecting the tubing 4 to a needle or catheter at the distal end of the tubing 4. As illustrated, the drip chamber device 10 may be in the form of a generally clear plastic, hollow, cylindrical elongated body 15. The top of the body 15 may include a pointed piercing element or spike 3 adapted to be inserted through a pierceable seal of the IV bag 30 to expel fluid 32 therein through a droplet former 17. In some embodiments, the elongated body 15 may include an inner surface 20 defining a chamber 25. As illustrated, drip chamber 15 may be fluidly coupled to a container, such as an IV bag 30 , configured to drip droplets 34 of IV fluid 32 into chamber 25 .

[0015] FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of a system for measuring drop velocity according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of a system for measuring drop velocity according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B , a system 100 for measuring drop velocity may include a drop chamber device 10 and a drop velocity measurement device 40. In some embodiments, the drop velocity measurement device 40 may include a housing 42 configured to be attached to an elongated body of the drop chamber. For example, the housing 42 may include a recess or groove 44 extending longitudinally from an upper surface 48 to a lower surface 49 of the housing 42. The diameter or radius of the recess or groove 44 may correspond to the outer diameter of the elongated body 15 of the droplet chamber device 10 such that the housing 42 is attached to a sidewall of the elongated body 15, as illustrated in FIG. 2B .

[0016] In some embodiments, the drop rate measurement device 40 may further include a load cell transducer 50 attached to the elongated body 15 and extending laterally into the chamber 25. As described in more detail below, the load cell transducer 50 may be configured to measure the weight of the droplet 34 of the IV fluid 32 and convert the weight into an electrical signal. In some embodiments, as described in more detail below, the drop rate measurement device may include a controller 86 (illustrated in FIG. 4 ) or similar processor electrically coupled to the load cell transducer 50 to process the electrical signal and output at least one parameter related to the IV fluid 32.

[0017] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the load cell transducer 50 may be a strain gauge-based load cell transducer. As shown, the strain gauge-based load cell transducer may be in the form of an elongated body extending laterally or transversely into the chamber 25. During operation, as droplets flow from the droplet former 17 onto the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50, the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may deform under the weight / force exerted by the weight of the droplet 34. The weight of the droplet 34 may be sensed or measured by the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50. The strain associated with the weight of the droplet 34 exerted on the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may be converted into an electrical signal by the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50. As described in further detail below, the controller 86 may process the electrical signal and output at least one parameter related to the IV fluid. The cumulative increment in weight over time may be processed into parameters such as droplet count / drip rate, flow rate, and volume of medication. Thus, the controller may calculate and output more accurate droplet count, volume, and flow rate of IV fluid based on the actual weight of the droplets measured by the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50. The above-described configuration is advantageous compared to existing systems and devices that measure drip or droplet rate without measuring the actual weight of the droplets. Instead, existing systems and devices determine flow rate using infrared (IR) or other optical sensors to count droplets and track the spacing between droplets. This method is not always accurate because the size and volume of droplets dripping into the drip chamber can change over time due to factors such as variations in specific gravity, viscosity, density, pressure, and gravity in the IV fluid bag or container. Thus, existing systems, devices, and methods that calculate drip rate without taking into account the actual weight of each droplet may inaccurately over- or underestimate the drip or droplet rate of IV fluid.

[0018] In some embodiments, the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may be coated with one or more of acrylic, epoxy, or polyurethane. Such a configuration may be advantageous to prevent patients and hospital staff from inadvertently receiving an electric shock from the load cell transducer 50.

[0019] In some embodiments, the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may have a rounded geometric profile. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may have a cylindrical shape. Such a configuration may be advantageous in preventing droplets from stagnating on the load cell, which may otherwise interfere with data accuracy.

[0020] In some embodiments, the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may be formed from a material that can withstand a temperature range of 5 to 50 degrees Celsius without affecting its droplet weight measurement capabilities. For example, in some embodiments, the strain gauge-based load cell transducer may be formed from a material including, but not limited to, one or more of ferritic steel, austenitic steel, and titanium.

[0021] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the drop rate measurement device 40 may include a printed circuit board (PCB) 60 disposed on the housing 42 of the drop measurement device 40. The controller 86 may be disposed on the PCB 60. For example, in some embodiments, the controller may be etched or soldered onto the PCB 60. In some embodiments, several other components may be disposed on the PCB for processing of analog signals generated by the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 40. In some embodiments, the PCB 60 may be a single-chip PCB.

[0022] As shown, the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may include termination points 52 for electrically coupling the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 to the PCB 60 and associated components, such as the controller 86. Similarly, the housing 42 may include corresponding termination points 62 through which the PCB 60 and associated components, such as the controller 86, are electrically coupled to the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50. As shown, the termination points 62 may be disposed in recesses or grooves 44 on the front surface 46 of the housing 42 at locations corresponding to the locations of the termination points 52 on the elongated body so that the components of the PCB 60, such as the controller 86, can be electrically coupled to the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50.

[0023] FIG. 3A illustrates a drop chamber device with an integrated load cell transducer 50, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 3A , in some embodiments, strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may be integrated into elongated body 15 of drop chamber device 10. For example, strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may be fixedly attached to or integrally formed with elongated body 15 of drop chamber device 10. In these embodiments, termination point 52 of strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may be fixedly positioned on or within a sidewall of elongated body 15 of drop chamber device 10. In these embodiments, termination point 52 may be fixedly coupled to a sidewall of elongated body 15 via plastic welding or other joining method. For example, termination point 52 may be secured to drop chamber 10 by ultrasonic welding.

[0024] FIG. 3B illustrates a drop chamber device with an integrated load cell transducer 50 that is removably coupleable to the drop chamber 10, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, in some embodiments, the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may be a separate component that is removably coupleable to the drop chamber 10. In these embodiments, the drop chamber device 10 may include an opening 54 extending laterally from an outer surface of the sidewall of the elongated body 15 of the drop chamber device 10. As shown, the opening 54 may extend to the interior of the drop chamber device 10 such that the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 can be removably mounted therein. In these embodiments, the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may be coupled to the housing 42.

[0025] 2A and 2B , according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the drop rate measurement device 40 may further include a display device 70 electrically coupled to and in communication with the PCB. For example, the display device may be a graphical user interface (GUI) display configured to display at least one parameter (e.g., drop count / drop rate, flow rate, and volume) calculated and output by the controller. The display device 70 may include at least one of a drop count display 72 that displays a drop count output transmitted from the controller, a flow rate display 74 that displays a flow rate output transmitted from the controller, or a volume display 76 that displays a volume output transmitted from the controller.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the interrelationships between various components of the drop rate measurement device 100, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As discussed, the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 may convert changes in force (i.e., strain) applied to the strain gauge-based load cell transducer 50 due to the weight of the droplet 34 into an analog electrical signal. The analog electrical signal may be inversely proportional to the force being measured. As shown, the analog electrical signal may be amplified by an amplifier 80 and then fed into a filtering circuit 82, which filters or removes any undesired data or noise. The filtered signal may then be fed into an analog-to-digital converter (A / D converter) 84, which converts the analog signal to a digital signal. In some embodiments, the amplifier 80, filtering circuit 82, and A / D converter 84 may each be disposed, etched, or soldered onto the PCB 60. The controller 86 may process the digital output data from the A / D converter 84 and then transmit the converted data to the display device 70 for viewing. In some embodiments, the controller may exchange data with a memory storage device 88. The cumulative weight increments stored in the memory storage device 88 over time may be processed into accurate drop counts / drip rates, flow rates, and volumes of IV fluid.

[0027] Therefore, the various embodiments of the systems and devices for monitoring and measuring IV fluid drip rate described herein are advantageous in utilizing strain gauge-based load cell transducers that accurately base drip rate on the actual weight of the droplets, as opposed to basing drip rate on droplet count. This configuration is advantageous compared to existing systems and devices that measure drip or droplet rate without measuring the actual weight of the droplets. Instead, existing systems and devices determine flow rate using infrared (IR) or other optical sensors to count droplets and track the spacing between droplets. This method is not always accurate because the size and volume of droplets dripping into the drip chamber can change over time due to factors such as variations in specific gravity, viscosity, density, pressure, and gravity in the IV fluid bag or container. Therefore, existing systems, devices, and methods that calculate drip rate without taking into account the actual weight of each droplet may inaccurately over- or underestimate IV fluid drip or droplet rate.

[0028] Additionally, errors associated with manually counting droplets may be avoided because more accurate measurements of infused IV fluid are possible using the various example systems and devices described herein, which provide accurate IV fluid drip rates. As noted above, the drip rate is based on weight, rather than droplet count as is traditionally done in existing systems.

[0029] Additionally, the systems and devices of the various embodiments described herein are further advantageous in that they do not require manual counting of droplets and therefore do not require continuous monitoring of IV fluids.

[0030] Additionally, the drip chambers and drip chamber devices of the various embodiments described herein can be advantageously used with any type of IV tubing (e.g., either macro or micro drip tubing).

[0031] This disclosure is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. While this disclosure provides various illustrative examples of the subject technology, the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0032] Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "only one" but rather "one or more" unless specifically stated otherwise. The term "some" refers to one or more unless specifically stated otherwise. Masculine pronouns (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter genders (e.g., her and its), and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used merely for convenience and do not limit the invention.

[0033] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example or illustration." Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. In one aspect, various alternative configurations and operations described herein are construed as at least equivalent.

[0034] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of," preceding a list of items, along with the word "or" separating any of the items, modifies the list as a whole rather than each item in the list. The phrase "at least one of," does not require the selection of at least one item; rather, the phrase allows for a meaning including at least one of any of the items, and / or at least one of any combination of the items, and / or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrase "at least one of A, B, or C" may refer to A only, B only, or C only, or any combination of A, B, and C.

[0035] The use of a phrase such as "aspect" does not imply that the aspect is essential to the subject technology or that the aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure of one aspect may apply to all configurations, or to one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as "aspect" may refer to one or more aspects, and vice versa. A phrase such as "embodiment" does not imply that the embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that the embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure of one embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or to one or more examples. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as "embodiment" may refer to one or more examples, and vice versa. A phrase such as "configuration" does not imply that the configuration is essential to the subject technology or that the configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure of one configuration may apply to all configurations, or to one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as a configuration may refer to one or more configurations, and vice versa.

[0036] In one aspect, unless otherwise specified, all measurements, values, estimates, locations, dimensions, sizes, and other specifications set forth herein, including those in the following claims, are approximate and not exact, and are intended to have a reasonable range consistent with the function to which they relate and that which is customary in the art to which they pertain.

[0037] It is understood that the specified order or hierarchy of steps or acts in the disclosed processes or methods is an illustration of a sample approach. Based on implementation preferences or scenarios, it is understood that the specified order or hierarchy of steps, acts, or processes may be rearranged. Some of the steps, acts, or processes may occur simultaneously. In some implementation preferences or scenarios, certain acts may or may not be performed. Some or all of the steps, acts, or processes may occur automatically, without user intervention. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps, acts, or processes in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specified order or hierarchy presented.

[0038] All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later become known to those skilled in the art are intended to be expressly incorporated herein by reference and encompassed by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be a public offering, regardless of whether that disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for," or, in the case of a method claim, unless the element is recited using the phrase "step for." Furthermore, to the extent the terms "comprise," "have," and the like are used, these terms are intended to be as inclusive as the term "having" when "having" is employed as a transitional term in a claim.

[0039] The title, background, summary, brief description of the drawings, and abstract of the disclosure are hereby incorporated into this disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as a limiting description. They are submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description, it will be appreciated that the description provides illustrative examples, and that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed structure or operation. The following claims are incorporated into this more detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as separately claimed subject matter.

[0040] The claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claim language and encompass all legal equivalents. Nevertheless, no claim is intended to, and should not be construed to, encompass subject matter that does not comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §§ 101, 102, or 103.

Claims

1. a drip chamber device having an elongated body including an inner surface defining a chamber, the drip chamber device configured to couple to a container containing IV fluid; a load cell transducer extending laterally into the chamber, the load cell transducer configured to measure a weight of the IV fluid droplet and convert the weight into an electrical signal; a drop rate measuring device including a housing configured to removably couple to the elongated body of the drop chamber device, the drop rate measuring device being electrically coupled to a load cell transducer such that the droplet of IV fluid engages the load cell transducer as the droplet moves into the chamber; A system for measuring the drip rate of an IV fluid, comprising:

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the load cell transducer comprises a strain gauge-based load cell transducer.

3. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the load cell transducer is configured to deform due to the weight of the droplet of IV fluid engaging the load cell transducer as the droplet of IV fluid moves into the chamber.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the load cell transducer has a cylindrical shape.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the drop rate measuring device includes a printed circuit board.

6. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the housing of the drop rate measurement device includes termination points for electrically coupling the load cell transducer to the printed circuit board.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the termination point is located in a recess in the housing.

8. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the drip rate measurement device includes a controller electrically coupled to the load cell transducer to process the electrical signal and output at least one parameter related to the IV fluid.

9. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a display device electrically coupled to the controller to display the at least one parameter.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the drop rate measurement device includes an opening configured to receive the load cell transducer therethrough.

11. a drip chamber device including an outer surface, an inner surface, a chamber formed by the inner surface, and an opening extending through the outer surface and the inner surface, the drip chamber device configured to couple to a container containing IV fluid; a load cell transducer extending through the opening into the chamber of the drip chamber device, the load cell transducer configured to measure a weight of the droplet of IV fluid and convert the weight into an electrical signal; a drop rate measurement device removably coupled to the drop chamber device and configured to electrically couple to the load cell transducer such that the droplet of IV fluid engages the load cell transducer as the droplet of IV fluid moves into the chamber; and A system for measuring the drip rate of an IV fluid, comprising:

12. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the load cell transducer comprises a strain gauge based load cell transducer.

13. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the housing of the drop rate measuring device includes termination points configured to electrically couple the load cell transducer to a printed circuit board of the drop rate measuring device.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the termination point is located in a recess in the housing.

15. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the drip rate measurement device includes a controller electrically coupled to the load cell transducer to process the electrical signal and output at least one parameter related to the IV fluid.

16. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one parameter includes at least one of a drop count, a flow rate, or a volume of the IV fluid.

17. 1. A method for providing a system for measuring drip rate of IV fluid, the method comprising: providing a drip chamber device having an elongated body including an inner surface defining a chamber, the drip chamber device being connectable to a container containing IV fluid; providing a load cell transducer configured to measure a weight of the droplet of IV fluid and convert the weight into an electrical signal, the load cell transducer extending laterally into the chamber such that the droplet of IV fluid engages the load cell transducer as the droplet moves into the chamber; providing a drip rate measuring device removably coupleable to the elongated body of the drip chamber device, the drip rate measuring device for electrically coupling a controller of the drip rate measuring device to the load cell transducer to process the electrical signal and output at least one parameter related to the IV fluid; 1. A method for providing a system for measuring drip rate of IV fluid, comprising:

18. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one parameter includes at least one of a drop count, a flow rate, or a volume of the IV fluid.

19. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the load cell transducer is removably coupleable to the drip chamber device.

20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising providing a display device electrically coupled to the controller to display the at least one parameter.

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