The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 05, 1991
Filed:
May. 12, 1989
Robert S Van Buskirk, Danville, CA (US);
Robert R Clappier, Los Altos, CA (US);
Endotherapeutics, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for flow and temperature analysis during collection of a urine sample, and for simultaneously maintaining the urine sample sterile. A disposable vessel for collecting the urine is mounted on a commode adapter, and includes a variable capacitor, with a capacitance value which varies with the amount of urine in the vessel. The variable capacitor forms a part of a capacitance bridge. A microprocessor controlled by a clock is used to periodically sample the varying capacitance value as fluid flows into the vessel, and thereby determine the flow rates of the fluid. A tube is provided which communicates with the interior of the vessel for drawing off a sterile sample of the urine for laboratory analysis, and a drain is provided which is operable without contacting the urine. Temperature sensing means are provided for detecting the temperature of the fluid as a function of time, comprising a thermistor or an infrared optical sensor.