System, method, and apparatus for monitoring, regulating, or controlling fluid flow

Abstract

A flow meter, and related system and method are provided. The flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, a valve, and one or more processors. The coupler is adapted to couple to a drip chamber. The support member is operatively coupled to the coupler. The image sensor has a field of view and is operatively coupled to the support member. The image sensor is positioned to view the drip chamber within the field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive image data therefrom and to the actuator to actuate the valve. The one or more processors are configured to estimate a flow of fluid through the drip chamber and to actuate the valve to control the flow of fluid through the drip chamber to achieve a target flow rate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flow meter, comprising:
 an image sensor;   a valve comprising:
 a rigid chamber; 
 a flexible tube section disposed within the rigid chamber, the flexible tube section in fluid communication with a drip chamber; 
 a pump configured to pump fluid into or out of the rigid chamber to thereby actuate the valve; and 
 an actuator configured to actuate the valve to thereby control the flow of fluid through the drip chamber; and 
   at least one processor in communication with the image sensor to receive image data therefrom and with the actuator to actuate the valve, wherein the at least one processor compares an image of the image data to a reference image to estimate at least one parameter of liquid within the drip chamber and to thereby actuate the valve using the actuator in response to the at least one parameter of liquid to achieve a target flow rate.