Urine Volume Measurement Using Floating Body and Distance Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urine measurement systems fail to accurately measure urine volume continuously and automatically, especially when the urine container is tilted or when a Foley catheter is present, requiring manual intervention by nurses and lacking immediate detection of volume changes that could indicate emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and system that utilize a urine container with a hollow tube and floating body, along with distance sensors to measure urine volume independently of container tilt and Foley catheter weight, allowing for continuous and automatic measurement of urine volume, which is then output by an attached device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a load cell is used to measure urine weight, then automatic measurement is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to accurately convert weight to volume when urine concentration changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the load cell (mechanical weight measurement system) with an ultrasonic sensor system that directly measures urine volume. The ultrasonic sensor emits sound waves that travel through the urine and reflect back, allowing direct volume measurement without needing to convert from weight, thereby eliminating the precision problem caused by varying urine concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from weight (measured by load cell) to volume (measured by ultrasonic sensor). This parameter change allows direct and accurate volume measurement regardless of urine concentration variations, resolving the contradiction between automation and measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If a Foley catheter is connected to the urine collecting container, then urine collection is enabled, but measurement precision deteriorates due to the catheter weight being included in the load cell measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the load cell-based weight measurement system with an ultrasonic volume measurement system. Since the ultrasonic sensor measures volume directly through sound wave propagation in the urine, the weight of the Foley catheter and container does not interfere with the measurement, eliminating the precision error while maintaining ease of urine collection.
3Measurement precision
If urine volume is measured manually by nursing staff, then measurement can be performed, but productivity deteriorates due to continuous periodic nurse visits required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service measurement system where the ultrasonic sensor automatically and continuously measures urine volume without requiring nurse intervention. The system autonomously monitors the urine bag, eliminating the need for periodic manual measurements by nursing staff, thereby significantly improving productivity while maintaining accurate volume measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous automatic measurement of urine volume through the ultrasonic sensor system, replacing the discontinuous manual measurement process. This continuous monitoring provides real-time volume data without requiring periodic nurse visits, improving both productivity and the timeliness of volume change detection.
4Ease of operation
If a urine bag with volume graduations is used, then visual measurement is enabled, but measurement precision deteriorates when the urine bag is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual gradient measurement method with an ultrasonic sensor-based automatic measurement system. The ultrasonic sensor continuously measures the actual urine volume regardless of the bag's orientation, eliminating the precision problem caused by tilting while maintaining ease of operation through automatic sensing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and continuous measurement of urine volume without manual intervention, allowing for timely recognition of changes and potential emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
a floating body (300) inserted into the hollow tube (200) so as to move up and down
Implementation Method 2
a distance sensor (400) provided at an upper portion of the hollow tube (200) so as to measure a distance to the floating body (300)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an apparatus for automatically measuring urine volume and a system for automatically measuring urine volume. The apparatus for automatically measuring urine volume of the present disclosure includes a urine container to which a urine catheter is connected, wherein an insertion hole is formed in an upper portion of the urine container, a hollow tube inserted into the insertion hole in a gravity direction, a floating body inserted into the hollow tube so as to move up and down and having buoyancy to float on the urine, and a distance sensor provided at an upper portion of the hollow tube so as to measure a distance to the floating body, wherein the volume of urine in the urine container is measured by using a measurement of the distance sensor. According to the present disclosure, the apparatus for automatically measuring urine volume and the system for automatically measuring urine volume are configured to measure the correct volume of urine automatically and continuously, regardless of the tilt of a urine container, the weight of a Foley catheter, and the presence of a nurse who directly checks the urine volume, so as to accurately recognize a change in the volume of urine and anticipate a probable emergency situation based on the change in the volume of urine.