Measurement device, program, and measurement method

Abstract

This measurement device comprises: a drip probe which is provided with a sensor and has a light source and a camera facing each other, and which, when attached to a drip tube, uses the sensor to sequentially detect falling droplets passing through an area above the imaging range of the camera inside the drip tube, irradiates the drip tube with light from the light source, and uses the camera to capture an image of the drip tube; and a controller which starts the operation of the camera each time a falling droplet is detected by the drip probe, and stops the operation of the camera after a certain period of time has elapsed.

Description

Measuring device, program, and measuring method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a measuring device, a program, and a measuring method.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a droplet amount measuring device including an imaging unit and a data processing unit. The imaging unit captures images of growing droplets growing at the lower end of a nozzle at a plurality of time points. The data processing unit calculates the flow rate of droplets intermittently falling from the lower end of the nozzle by analyzing a plurality of image data acquired by the imaging unit. The droplet amount measuring device also includes a counting unit. The counting unit detects that a droplet has left the lower end of the nozzle and counts the number of droplets dropped. The data processing unit calculates the estimated volume of a droplet during falling after leaving the lower end of the nozzle by analyzing a plurality of image data, and calculates the flow rate from the number of droplets dropped and the estimated volume.

[0003] International Publication No. 2016 / 114264

[0004] The droplet amount measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1 calculates the estimated volume of at least one droplet during falling, then stops the operation of the imaging unit, and does not continue to capture images of droplets falling thereafter. Therefore, the accuracy of flow rate control is low.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a measuring device, a program, and a measuring method capable of efficiently continuing to capture images of droplets in a drip cylinder.

[0006] Some aspects of the present disclosure are shown below.

[0007] [1] A measuring device including a sensor, a light source and a camera facing each other, and when attached to a drip cylinder, sequentially detecting falling droplets passing above the imaging range of the camera inside the drip cylinder with the sensor, irradiating the drip cylinder with light from the light source, and a drip probe for capturing an image of the drip cylinder with the camera, A controller that starts the operation of the camera each time a falling droplet is detected by the drip probe and stops the operation of the camera after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0008] [2] The measuring device according to [1], wherein the sensor is positioned below the camera, and the drip probe further comprises a mirror that reflects light that has passed through the drip chamber toward the sensor.

[0009] [3] The measuring device according to [2], wherein the drip probe further comprises a first light-gathering element that focuses the light that has passed through the drip chamber toward the camera, and a second light-gathering element positioned above the first light-gathering element that focuses the light that has passed through the drip chamber toward the mirror.

[0010] [4] The measuring device according to [2], wherein the drip probe further comprises a light-gathering element that focuses the upper end of the light that has passed through the drip chamber toward the mirror and the remaining portion toward the camera.

[0011] [5] The measuring device according to [1], wherein the sensor is positioned above the camera.

[0012] [6] The measuring device according to [5], wherein the drip probe further comprises a first light-gathering element that focuses light that has passed through the drip chamber toward the camera, and a second light-gathering element positioned above the first light-gathering element that focuses the light that has passed through the drip chamber toward the sensor.

[0013] [7] The measuring device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the controller estimates the volume of the falling droplet using the image captured by the drip probe in response to the detection of the falling droplet by the drip probe.

[0014] [8] The measuring device according to [7], wherein the image includes a plurality of frames taken by the drip probe during the specified period, and the controller estimates the volume of the falling droplet based on the difference between the plurality of frames.

[0015] [9] The measuring device according to [8], wherein the controller turns the light source on and off before and after the timing at which each frame is captured by the drip probe.

[0016]

[10] The measuring device according to any one of [7] to [9], wherein the controller calculates the total flow rate of the drip chamber based on the result of estimating the volume of the falling droplets in accordance with the elapsed time.

[0017]

[11] The measuring device according to

[10] , wherein the controller adjusts the amount of fluid delivered by the pump based on the result of comparing the calculated total flow rate with an expected flow rate determined according to the set flow rate of the pump that delivers fluid to the drip chamber.

[0018]

[12] The controller is a measuring device according to

[10] or

[11] that displays the calculated total flow rate on a monitor.

[0019]

[13] The measuring device according to any one of items [1] to

[12] , wherein the controller repeatedly starts and stops the operation of the sensor at predetermined sampling intervals.

[0020]

[14] The measuring device according to

[13] , wherein the controller turns the light source on and off at the timing when the operation of the sensor is started and stopped.

[0021]

[15] A program that causes a computer that communicates with an infusion probe, which comprises a sensor, a light source and a camera facing each other, and which, when attached to an infusion chamber, sequentially detects falling droplets passing above the camera's field of view inside the infusion chamber using the sensor, irradiates the infusion chamber with light from the light source, and captures an image of the infusion chamber with the camera, to perform the following actions: start the operation of the camera each time the infusion probe detects a falling droplet, and stop the operation of the camera after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0022]

[16] A measurement method comprising: when an intravenous probe equipped with a sensor and a light source and camera facing each other is attached to an intravenous drip chamber, the sensor sequentially detects falling droplets passing above the camera's field of view inside the intravenous drip chamber, irradiates the intravenous drip chamber with light from the light source, and captures an image of the intravenous drip chamber with the camera; and a controller starts operating the camera each time the intravenous probe detects a falling droplet, and stops operating the camera after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0023] According to this disclosure, it is possible to continuously image droplets in the drip chamber efficiently.

[0024] This figure shows the configuration of the infusion system and measuring device according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the infusion probe according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This is a vertical a first modified example of the configuration of the infusion probe according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the configuration of the infusion probe according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This figure shows the operating period of the light source, camera, and sensor of the infusion probe according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This is an example of an image taken by the infusion probe according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0025] Hereinafter, one embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the figures.

[0026] In each figure, identical or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of identical or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0027] Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the infusion system 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0028] The infusion system 10 is a medical device used to administer liquids such as nutritional supplements or medicinal solutions to a living body, such as a patient. The infusion system 10 forms an infusion line for transporting the liquid to the living body.

[0029] The infusion system 10 includes a drip chamber 20, an infusion container 11, a connector 12, multiple infusion tubes 13, a clamp 14, and an infusion pump 15.

[0030] The infusion container 11 contains a liquid. The infusion container 11 is, for example, an infusion bag that contains a drug such as physiological saline. The connector 12 can be connected to an indwelling needle placed in the body. Multiple infusion tubes 13 connect the components of the infusion line, namely the infusion container 11, the drip chamber 20, and the connector 12. The clamp 14 and infusion pump 15 are attached to the infusion tubes 13 connecting the drip chamber 20 and the connector 12 in order to adjust the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the infusion line.

[0031] The drip chamber 20 dispenses the liquid transported from the upstream of the infusion line and stores it in its internal drip chamber. The drip chamber 20 then discharges the liquid stored in the drip chamber downstream of the infusion line. The flow rate of the liquid supplied from the infusion container 11 is visible through the drip chamber 20. The drip chamber 20 comes in, for example, an adult version with a flow rate of 20 drops / mL, i.e., 50 μL / drop, and a pediatric version with a flow rate of 60 drops / mL, i.e., 16.7 μL / drop. At least the portion of the peripheral wall of the drip chamber 20 located above the liquid level of the stored liquid in the drip chamber is made of a light-transmitting material.

[0032] Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the measuring device 30 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0033] The measuring device 30 comprises an intravenous drip probe 31 and a controller 32.

[0034] The drip probe 31 can be attached to the drip chamber 20. The drip probe 31 is used to detect droplets falling inside the drip chamber 20 when it is attached around the drip chamber 20. Specifically, the drip probe 31 is used to detect droplets falling inside the drip chamber 20 when it is attached so as to clamp the peripheral wall of the drip chamber 20 and is positioned above the liquid level of the stored liquid. The detailed configuration of the drip probe 31 will be described later.

[0035] In this embodiment, the controller 32 is built into the infusion pump 15 as shown in Figure 1, but it may also be integrated with the drip probe 31. The controller 32 is, for example, a computer such as a microcomputer, and has a processor such as a CPU or GPU and memory such as RAM, ROM, or flash memory. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read-only memory. The functions of the controller 32 are realized by the processor executing a program loaded into memory. In other words, the functions of the controller 32 are realized by software. Alternatively, the controller 32 may have a programmable circuit such as an FPGA or a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC instead of or in addition to the processor. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. Some or all of the functions of the controller 32 may be implemented by programmable circuits or dedicated circuits. That is, some or all of the functions of the controller 32 may be implemented by hardware circuits. The controller 32 may further have a communication module for communicating with the infusion probe 31 by wire or wireless. Alternatively, the controller 32 may share the communication module of the infusion pump 15 for communicating with the infusion probe 31.

[0036] Next, the configuration of the intravenous infusion probe 31 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figures 2 and 3 are a horizontal cross-sectional view and a vertical cross-sectional view, respectively, showing the configuration of the intravenous infusion probe 31 according to this embodiment.

[0037] The infusion probe 31 comprises a sensor 44 and a light source 41 and a camera 46 facing each other.

[0038] Sensor 44 is an optical sensor that detects light from the light source 41. Sensor 44 detects that a dripping droplet has occurred in the drip chamber 20 when the light from the light source 41 is blocked. Sensor 44 is, for example, a single phototransistor or photodiode.

[0039] The light source 41 shines light towards the sensor 44 and camera 46 through the drip chamber 20. The light source 41 is, for example, a near-infrared LED. "LED" is an abbreviation for light-emitting diode.

[0040] Camera 46 photographs the inside of the drip chamber 20 using light from the light source 41. Camera 46 is, for example, a near-infrared camera. Camera 46 includes an image sensor and a light-gathering element that collects light on the image sensor. For example, a CMOS or CCD is used as the image sensor of camera 46. "CMOS" is an abbreviation for complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor. "CCD" is an abbreviation for charge-coupled device. For example, a lens or a pinhole is used as the light-gathering element of camera 46.

[0041] When the drip probe 31 is attached to the drip chamber 20, the sensor 44 sequentially detects falling droplets that pass above the camera 46's field of view inside the drip chamber 20, and illuminates the drip chamber 20 with light from the light source 41, allowing the camera 46 to capture an image of the drip chamber 20. In this embodiment, the sensor 44 is positioned above the camera 46. That is, the detection range of the sensor 44 is above the field of view of the camera 46. Therefore, if the camera 46 is activated when the sensor 44 detects a falling droplet, the falling droplet can be imaged. In other words, to image a falling droplet, the camera 46 only needs to be activated when the sensor 44 detects the droplet; the camera 46 does not need to be constantly activated. Furthermore, it is desirable that the sensor 44 is sandwiched between walls that block external light that does not pass through the drip chamber 20 and is not intended to reach the sensor 44.

[0042] In this embodiment, the drip probe 31 further includes a first condenser 45 and a second condenser 43. The first condenser 45 and the second condenser 43 are, for example, aspherical lenses or Fresnel lenses.

[0043] The first condenser 45 is a condenser lens that condenses light in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The first condenser 45 condenses the light that has passed through the drip cylinder 20 toward the camera 46. The camera 46 converts the light emitted from the first condenser 45 into an image. The second condenser 43 is disposed above the first condenser 45. The second condenser 43 has the same curved surface as the first condenser 45 and is a cylindrical lens that condenses light in the horizontal direction but does not condense light in the vertical direction. The second condenser 43 condenses the light that has passed through the drip cylinder 20 toward the sensor 44. The sensor 44 detects that the light reaching through the second condenser 43 is blocked as a droplet has fallen inside the drip cylinder 20.

[0044] In this embodiment, the drip probe 31 further includes an optical element 42. The optical element 42 is, for example, an aspherical lens or a Fresnel lens.

[0045] When the drip probe 31 is attached to the drip cylinder 20, the light from the light source 41 is irradiated onto the drip cylinder 20 as parallel light through the optical element 42. The first condenser 45 condenses the parallel light that has passed through the drip cylinder 20 toward the camera 46. The second condenser 43 condenses the parallel light that has passed through the drip cylinder 20 toward the sensor 44.

[0046] By adopting a parallel light optical system, if the liquid is opaque, the light rays will be blocked by the liquid, and if the liquid is transparent, the traveling direction of the light rays will change due to refraction in the liquid except at the center. In either case, an image of the shadow can be obtained.

[0047] In addition, in the configuration employing a collimated light optical system, even if the droplet dropping position changes in the front-back and left-right directions, the size of the imaged droplet does not change. That is, even if the droplet dropping position becomes far or near, or shifts to the left or right, the size of the shadow of the droplet does not change. As a result, even if there are droplets adhering to the wall surface on the camera 46 side of the drip tube 20, it is possible to prevent the adhered droplets from being photographed with a large size. Therefore, the camera 46 can reduce the influence of the droplets adhering to the wall surface and photograph the droplets dropping near the center of the drip tube 20.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the drip probe 31 further includes a first light converter 51 and a second light converter 52. The first light converter 51 and the second light converter 52 are, for example, aspherical lenses designed by performing optical simulations using parameters such as the refractive index of the material of the drip tube wall and the curved surface of the drip tube wall.

[0049] In the configuration employing a collimated light optical system, due to the light refraction of the drip tube wall, there is a possibility that the parallelism of the incident light is lost as it goes to the periphery, and there is a possibility that the subject is imaged smaller as it is farther from the camera 46. Therefore, the first light converter 51 converts the optical paths of a plurality of light components included in the collimated light emitted from the optical element 42, so that they travel non-parallel to each other before entering the drip tube 20, at least a part of them is refracted when entering the drip tube 20, and a plurality of light components that travel parallel to each other inside the drip tube 20 are emitted after entering the drip tube 20. The second light converter 52 converts the optical paths of a plurality of light components that travel parallel to each other inside the drip tube 20, are then emitted from the drip tube 20, and at least a part of them is refracted when emitted from the drip tube 20, and emits collimated light.

[0050] As a result, the drip probe 31 can accurately image the peripheral portion of the wall surface of the drip tube 20.

[0051] A first modification of the configuration of the drip probe 31 is shown in FIG. 4. In this modification, the drip probe 31 further includes a mirror 47.

[0052] Unlike the configuration shown in Figure 3, the sensor 44 is positioned below the camera 46, but the mirror 47 reflects the light that has passed through the drip chamber 20 towards the sensor 44. That is, the detection range of the sensor 44 is above the shooting range of the camera 46, just as in the configuration shown in Figure 3. Therefore, even though the sensor 44 is positioned below the camera 46, just as in the configuration shown in Figure 3, the falling droplet can be imaged by activating the camera 46 when the sensor 44 detects it.

[0053] In this modified example, the second light-gathering element 43 focuses the light that has passed through the drip chamber 20 toward the mirror 47. Specifically, the second light-gathering element 43 focuses the parallel light that has passed through the drip chamber 20 toward the mirror 47. The sensor 44 detects that the light emitted from the second light-gathering element 43 and reflected by the mirror 47 has been blocked, as if a droplet has fallen inside the drip chamber 20.

[0054] Furthermore, in the first modified example, the sensor 44 may be sandwiched between vertically extending walls (not shown) to prevent unintended external light from entering the sensor 44. This prevents the sensor 44 from detecting light that has not passed through the drip chamber 20.

[0055] Figure 5 shows a second modified configuration of the infusion probe 31. In this modified configuration, the infusion probe 31 further includes a mirror 47, similar to the first modified configuration, but unlike the first modified configuration, it does not include a second light-gathering element 43.

[0056] Similar to the first modified example, the sensor 44 is positioned below the camera 46, and the mirror 47 reflects the light that has passed through the drip chamber 20 toward the sensor 44. At this time, the light reflected by the mirror 47 is a portion of the upper end of the light that has passed through the drip chamber 20 and been focused by the first light-gathering element 45. In other words, the light that reaches the sensor 44 is light that has passed higher up within the drip chamber 20 than the light that reaches the camera 46. In other words, the detection range of the sensor 44 is above the shooting range of the camera 46, similar to the first modified example. Therefore, similar to the first modified example, if the camera 46 is activated when the sensor 44 detects a falling droplet, the falling droplet can be imaged.

[0057] In this modified example, the first light-gathering element 45 is a gathering lens that focuses light in both the horizontal and vertical directions, similar to the first modified example. However, unlike the first modified example, it focuses the upper end of the light that has passed through the drip chamber 20 toward the mirror 47 and the remaining portion toward the camera 46. Specifically, the first light-gathering element 45 focuses the upper end of the parallel light that has passed through the drip chamber 20 toward the mirror 47 and the remaining portion toward the camera 46. The sensor 44 detects the blocking of light emitted from the first light-gathering element 45 and reflected by the mirror 47 as the falling of a droplet. The camera 46 converts the light emitted from the first light-gathering element 45 into an image.

[0058] Furthermore, in the second modified example, similar to the first modified example, the sensor 44 may be sandwiched between vertically extending wall surfaces (not shown).

[0059] Referring to Figure 6, an overview of the operation of the controller 32 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0060] The controller 32 operates the sensor 44 at a fixed sampling interval. The controller 32 also operates the light source 41 as illumination for the sensor 44 at the same sampling interval. The controller 32 turns on the camera 46 for a certain period of time in response to the detection of a falling droplet by the sensor 44. The camera operating periods P1 and P2 shown in Figure 6 correspond to the number of frames until the falling droplet disappears. That is, the controller 32 keeps the camera 46 on until the falling droplet has completely passed. For example, the controller 32 turns off the camera 46 in response to the capture of one or more images without droplets after an image with droplets has been captured by the camera 46. During the camera operating period, images 70 with droplets 80 and images without droplets, as shown in Figure 7, can be captured, and the size of the droplets can be determined by taking the difference between them. In addition to the sampling interval, the controller 32 also turns on the light source 41 as illumination for the camera 46 only during the exposure period.

[0061] Referring to Figure 8, the operation of the controller 32 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. The operation described below corresponds to the measurement method according to this embodiment. That is, the measurement method according to this embodiment includes steps S101 to S117 shown in Figure 8.

[0062] In S101, the controller 32 sets the sampling interval. The sampling interval can be set to any interval at which falling droplets can be detected. The sampling interval may be predetermined, or it may be determined according to the set flow rate of the infusion pump 15 or drip chamber 20. The controller 32 may also set the flow rate of the infusion pump 15. Known methods can be used to set the flow rate.

[0063] In S102, the controller 32 sets the shooting interval and the number of frames to be captured. The shooting interval and the number of frames to be captured can be set to any interval and number of frames that allow for the capture of at least one frame of an image 70 showing a droplet 80, as shown in Figure 7, and at least one frame of an image that does not show a droplet. The shooting interval and the number of frames to be captured may be predetermined, or they may be determined according to the set flow rate of the infusion pump 15 or drip chamber 20.

[0064] In S103, the controller 32 determines whether the current time is the sampling time. The sampling time corresponds to the start time of the sampling interval set in S101. If the current time is the sampling time (YES in S103), step S104 is executed. If the current time is not the sampling time (NO in S103), step S109 is executed.

[0065] In S104, the controller 32 starts the operation of the light source 41 and the sensor 44.

[0066] In S105, the controller 32 performs sampling to detect whether the light from the light source 41 has been blocked by a falling droplet.

[0067] In S106, the controller 32 stops the operation of the light source 41 and the sensor 44.

[0068] In S107, the controller 32 determines whether or not a falling droplet was detected in S105.

[0069] If a falling droplet is detected (YES in S107), in S108 the controller 32 starts operating the camera 46. Then the step in S109 is executed.

[0070] If no falling droplets are detected in S105 (NO in S107), the camera 46 is not activated and step S109 is executed.

[0071] In S109, the controller 32 determines whether the camera 46 is operating and whether the current time is the shooting time. The shooting time corresponds to the start time of the shooting interval set in S102. If the camera 46 is operating and the current time is the shooting time (YES in S109), step S110 is executed. If the camera 46 is not operating or the current time is not the shooting time (NO in S109), step S103 is executed again.

[0072] In S110, the controller 32 starts operating the light source 41.

[0073] In S111, the controller 32 starts taking images of the drip chamber 20 using the camera 46.

[0074] In S112, the controller 32 stops the operation of the light source 41.

[0075] In S113, the controller 32 determines whether or not images for the number of shooting frames set in S102 have been obtained.

[0076] If images equal to the number of frames to be captured have been obtained (YES in S113), the controller 32 terminates the capture in S114.

[0077] In S115, the controller 32 stops the operation of the camera 46.

[0078] In S116, the controller 32 estimates the volume of the falling droplet using the images taken from S111 to S114. A known method can be used to estimate the volume of the falling droplet.

[0079] In S117, the controller 32 stores the volume of the falling droplet estimated in S116 in memory as the total flow rate of the drip chamber 20 if it is the first drop, or adds it to the most recent total flow rate stored in memory if it is the second drop or later, and updates the total flow rate. After that, step S103 is executed again.

[0080] If the number of images corresponding to the number of frames to be captured has not been obtained in S113 (NO in S113), steps S114 to S117 are not executed, and step S103 is executed again. Therefore, the camera 46 continues to photograph the drip chamber 20 until the number of images corresponding to the number of frames to be captured has been obtained.

[0081] As described above, in this embodiment, the controller 32 starts operating the camera 46 each time a dripping droplet is detected by the drip probe 31. The controller 32 estimates the volume of the dripping droplet using the image captured by the drip probe 31, in response to the detection of the dripping droplet by the drip probe 31. After a certain period of time has elapsed, the controller 32 stops operating the camera 46. After a certain period of time has elapsed, the controller 32 calculates the total flow rate of the drip chamber 20 based on the estimated volume of the dripping droplet.

[0082] In this embodiment, the timing of droplet fall is detected by a sensor 44, which has lower power consumption than the camera 46, located above the camera 46's shooting range. By using the detection signal from the sensor 44 as a trigger for the camera 46's operation, overall power consumption can be reduced. In other words, droplets inside the drip chamber 20 can be imaged efficiently.

[0083] In this embodiment, the image used to estimate the volume of the falling droplet includes multiple frames captured by the drip probe 31 during the aforementioned "certain period." The controller 32 estimates the volume of the falling droplet based on the difference between these multiple frames. Therefore, the volume of the falling droplet can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0084] In this embodiment, the controller 32 turns the light source 41 on and off before and after each frame is captured by the drip probe 31. Therefore, not only the power consumption of the camera 46 but also the power consumption of the light source 41 can be reduced.

[0085] In this embodiment, the controller 32 repeatedly starts and stops the operation of the sensor 44 at predetermined sampling intervals. Therefore, not only the power consumption of the camera 46 but also the power consumption of the sensor 44 can be reduced.

[0086] In this embodiment, the controller 32 turns the light source 41 on and off at the timing when the operation of the sensor 44 is started and stopped. Therefore, not only the power consumption of the camera 46 and the sensor 44, but also the power consumption of the light source 41 can be reduced.

[0087] In this embodiment, the controller 32 may adjust the fluid delivery rate of the infusion pump 15 based on the result of comparing the calculated total flow rate with the expected flow rate determined according to the set flow rate of the infusion pump 15. For example, in S117, the controller 32 may compare the total flow rate stored in memory with the expected flow rate at the current time. The expected flow rate at the current time is the total flow rate at the current time calculated based on the set flow rate of the infusion pump 15. If the total flow rate stored in memory is less than the expected flow rate at the current time, the controller 32 increases the fluid delivery rate of the infusion pump 15. If the total flow rate stored in memory is more than the expected flow rate at the current time, the controller 32 decreases the fluid delivery rate of the infusion pump 15.

[0088] In this embodiment, the controller 32 may display the calculated total flow rate on a monitor. For example, in S117, the controller 32 may display the total flow rate stored in memory and the hourly flow rate calculated from the total flow rate on the monitor. The monitor is provided on the infusion pump 15, for example, but may be provided on other equipment such as the drip probe 31, or it may be provided as an independent device. This allows the user to adjust the hourly flow rate by operating the clamp 14, etc., based on the hourly flow rate displayed on the monitor. In other words, it is easier to adjust the hourly flow rate accurately than when adjusting it while observing the interval between droplets falling in the drip chamber 20. In addition, the display of the total flow rate on the monitor enables the user to accurately manage the administration time.

[0089] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagram may be combined, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps shown in the flowchart in chronological order as described, they may be executed in parallel or in a different order, depending on the processing capacity of the device performing each step, or as necessary. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0090] 10 Infusion system 11 Infusion container 12 Connector 13 Infusion tube 14 Clamp 15 Infusion pump 20 Drip chamber 30 Measuring device 31 Drip probe 32 Controller 41 Light source 42 Optical element 43 Second light-gathering element 44 Sensor 45 First light-gathering element 46 Camera 47 Mirror 51 First optical transducer 52 Second optical transducer 70 Image 80 First droplet

Claims

An infusion probe comprises a sensor, a light source and a camera facing each other, and when attached to an infusion chamber, the sensor sequentially detects falling droplets passing above the camera's field of view inside the infusion chamber, irradiates the infusion chamber with light from the light source, and captures an image of the infusion chamber with the camera. The controller starts the operation of the camera each time the drip probe detects the falling droplet, and stops the operation of the camera after a certain period of time has elapsed. A measuring device equipped with the following features. 　 The sensor is positioned below the camera. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the drip probe further comprises a mirror that reflects light that has passed through the drip chamber toward the sensor. 　 The measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the drip probe further comprises a first light-gathering element that focuses the light that has passed through the drip chamber toward the camera, and a second light-gathering element positioned above the first light-gathering element that focuses the light that has passed through the drip chamber toward the mirror. 　 The measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the drip probe further comprises a light-gathering element that focuses the upper end of the light that has passed through the drip chamber toward the mirror and the remaining portion toward the camera. 　 The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is positioned above the camera. 　 The measuring device according to claim 5, wherein the drip probe further comprises a first light-gathering element that focuses light that has passed through the drip chamber toward the camera, and a second light-gathering element positioned above the first light-gathering element that focuses the light that has passed through the drip chamber toward the sensor. 　 The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the controller estimates the volume of the falling droplet using the image captured by the drip probe in response to the detection of the falling droplet by the drip probe. 　 The aforementioned image includes a plurality of frames captured by the infusion probe during the aforementioned period, The measuring device according to claim 7, wherein the controller estimates the volume of the falling droplet based on the difference between the plurality of frames. 　 The measuring device according to claim 8, wherein the controller turns the light source on and off before and after the timing at which each frame is captured by the drip probe. 　 The measuring device according to claim 7, wherein the controller calculates the total flow rate of the drip chamber based on the result of estimating the volume of the falling droplets in accordance with the elapsed period of time. 　 The measuring device according to claim 10, wherein the controller adjusts the amount of fluid delivered by the pump based on the result of comparing the calculated total flow rate with an expected flow rate determined according to the set flow rate of the pump that delivers fluid to the drip chamber. 　 The measuring device according to claim 10, wherein the controller displays the calculated total flow rate on a monitor. 　 The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the controller repeatedly starts and stops the operation of the sensor at predetermined sampling intervals. 　 The measuring device according to claim 13, wherein the controller turns the light source on and off at the timing when the operation of the sensor is started and stopped. 　 A computer that communicates with an infusion probe, comprising a sensor, a light source and a camera facing each other, and when attached to an infusion chamber, sequentially detects falling droplets passing above the camera's field of view inside the infusion chamber using the sensor, irradiates the infusion chamber with light from the light source, and captures an image of the infusion chamber with the camera, Each time the drip probe detects a falling droplet, the camera is activated, and after a certain period of time, the camera is deactivated. A program that performs an action that includes the following: When an intravenous drip probe, comprising a sensor, a light source, and a camera facing each other, is attached to a drip chamber, the sensor sequentially detects falling droplets passing above the camera's field of view inside the drip chamber, the light source illuminates the drip chamber, and the camera captures an image of the drip chamber. The controller starts the operation of the camera each time the drip probe detects the falling liquid droplet, and stops the operation of the camera after a certain period of time has elapsed. A measurement method that includes [details omitted].

Images