Apparatus and method for bedside collection of body fluids and automatic volume level monitoring

Method for collecting and monitoring liquids output from a catheterized patient comprising the steps of providing an electronic unit including a liquid level sensing device and one of a plurality of defined disposable collecting and measuring rigid vessels having at least one inlet;

• connecting at least one of the defined vessels to a catheter outputting liquid from a patient;
• collecting said output liquid in said defined vessel;
• controlling the draining of liquid from said vessel by at least one outlet valve;
• configuring said electronic unit to receive and hold the defined vessel securely in a fixed relationship with a portion of the vessel coacting with the level sensing device of the electronic unit;
• sensing liquid contained in said vessel;
• and
• outputting a signal indicative of liquid contained in said vessel.

Computer readable media having recorded thereon program instructions for collecting and monitoring liquids output from a catheterized patient including monitoring liquid level in a defined disposable collecting and measuring rigid vessel having at least one inlet to which is connected a catheter outputting liquid from a body cavity and having at least one outlet that is controllable;

• opening the at least one outlet valve in response to a signal generated by a sensed condition of the liquid in the vessel;
• calculating the volume of liquid in the vessel in response to the sensed condition;
• draining liquid contained in said vessel in response to the sensed condition;
• and outputting a signal indicative of the calculated value of liquid contained in said vessel at the time of the sensed condition.