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US 12,754,049 B2Granted
Apparatus with optical feature changing visual state
AssigneeMedici Therapeuticals, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin Eldridge, Babak Sanaii, Igor Khandros, Jason Cosman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a sensing region. A flexible membrane positioned in the sensing region defines a plane, a radial center, and a central axis extending perpendicularly relative to the plane at the radial center. The membrane deforms along the central axis and along a lateral dimension using at least a property of fluid (e.g., pressure or density) in the sensing region. The lateral dimension is transverse to the central axis. An optical feature changes a visual state in response to deformation of the membrane along the lateral dimension. A camera is positioned to view the optical feature and capture images of the optical feature.
Claims17
An apparatus comprising:
- a fluid input port;
- a fluid output port;
- a fluid channel, the fluid input port, the fluid output port, and the fluid channel together defining a fluid path, the fluid path configured to allow fluid to flow in from the fluid input port, through the fluid channel, and out through the fluid output port;
- a first flexible membrane positioned at a first location on the fluid path, the first flexible membrane defining a plane, a radial center, and a central axis extending perpendicularly relative to the plane at the radial center of the first flexible membrane, the first flexible membrane configured to deform along the central axis using at least the pressure of fluid in the fluid path at the first location, the first flexible membrane further configured to deform along a lateral dimension using at least a pressure of fluid in the fluid path at the first location, the lateral dimension being transverse to the central axis;
- a first optical feature laid over the first flexible membrane, wherein a plurality of visible elements are incorporated into the first optical feature, wherein the plurality of visible elements are arranged in a pattern selected from a group consisting of a stochastic pattern lacking spatial order and a concentrically alternating black and white ring pattern that is radially ordered, and wherein the first optical feature is configured to change a visual state in response to deformation of the first flexible membrane along the lateral dimension;
- a first plate, the fluid input port passing through the first plate;
- a second plate, the fluid output port passing through the first plate, the first plate and the second plate cooperating to define the fluid channel, the first flexible membrane being interposed between the first plate and the second plate;
- at least one camera, the at least one camera being positioned to view the first optical feature and thereby capture images of the first optical feature;
- and
- a processor, the processor configured to:
- process images captured by the at least one camera, and
- determine a pressure of fluid in the fluid path at the first location using at least deformation of the first flexible membrane along the lateral dimension as indicated in one or more of the images captured by the at least one camera.
9 more elements
A method, comprising:
- observing, via at least one camera, deformation of a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane being positioned along a fluid path, the flexible membrane defining a plane, a radial center, and a central axis extending perpendicularly relative to the plane at the radial center of the flexible membrane, the flexible membrane deforming along the central axis using at least a pressure of fluid in the fluid path, the flexible membrane further deforming along a lateral dimension using at least the pressure of fluid in the fluid path, the lateral dimension being transverse to the central axis, the observing including capturing images of an optical feature that is laid over the flexible membrane via the camera, wherein a plurality of visible elements are incorporated into the optical feature, wherein the plurality of visible elements are arranged in a pattern selected from a group consisting of a stochastic pattern lacking spatial order and a concentrically alternating black and white ring pattern that is radially ordered, and wherein the optical feature changing a visual state as the flexible membrane deforms along the lateral dimension;
- and
- determining, via a processor, the pressure of fluid in the fluid path using at least the observed change in visual state of the optical feature as captured in the images from the at least one camera.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a fluid processing assembly, the fluid processing assembly comprising:
- a fluid flow path,
- a first working stage along the fluid flow path, the first working stage configured to change a property of fluid flowing through the flow path, and
- a first pressure sensing stage positioned along the flow path, the first pressure sensing stage comprising:
- a first flexible membrane defining a first plane, a first radial center, and a first central axis extending perpendicularly relative to the first plane at the first radial center of the first flexible membrane, the first flexible membrane configured to deform along a first lateral dimension using at least a pressure of fluid in the fluid path, the first lateral dimension being transverse to the first central axis, and
- a first optical feature laid over the first flexible membrane, wherein a plurality of visible elements are incorporated into the first optical feature, wherein the plurality of visible elements are arranged in a pattern selected from a group consisting of a stochastic pattern lacking spatial order and a concentrically alternating black and white ring pattern that is radially ordered, and wherein the first optical feature is configured to change a visual state in response to deformation of the first flexible membrane along the first lateral dimension;
- at least one camera positioned to view the first optical feature and thereby capture images of the first optical feature;
- and
- a processor configured to determine a first pressure of fluid in the fluid path using at least deformation of the first flexible membrane along the first lateral dimension as indicated in one or more images captured by the at least one camera.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.