Drip chamber with hydrophobic interior surface

An optical imaging system for an infusion tube, comprising:

• a drip chamber including:
• a first portion with a drip tube;
• a second portion with an exit port;
• a third portion located between the first and second portions;
• and, a wall:
• connecting the first and second ends;
• and,
• including an interior surface with a hydrophobic portion aligned with at least one of the first or third portions in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis for the drip chamber passing through the first and second ends;
• at least one light source for emitting light;
• an optics system including:
• at least one lens for receiving and transmitting the light transmitted through the hydrophobic portion of the interior surface and the at least one of the first or third portions;
• and,
• an image sensor for:
• receiving the transmitted light from the at least one lens;
• and,
• generating and transmitting data characterizing the transmitted light from the at least one lens;
• a memory element configured to store computer readable instructions;
• and,
• at least one specially programmed processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to generate, using the data, at least one image of the at least one of the first or third portions, wherein:
• the hydrophobic portion of the interior surface repels liquid contacting the hydrophobic portion of the interior surface;
• and,
• the hydrophobic portion of the interior surface enables the light to pass through the hydrophobic portion of the interior surface without scattering.

A method of imaging an infusion tube having a drip chamber including a first portion with a drip tube, a second portion with an exit port, a third portion located between the first and second portions, and a wall connecting the first and second ends and including an interior surface with a hydrophobic portion aligned with at least one of the first or third portions in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis for the drip chamber passing through the first and second ends, comprising:

• repelling liquid contacting the hydrophobic portion of the interior surface;
• emitting, using at least at least one light source, light;
• transmitting the light through the hydrophobic portion of the interior surface and at least one of the first or third portions without scattering the light;
• receiving, using at least one lens, the light transmitted through the hydrophobic portion of the
• interior surface and the at least one of the first or third portions;
• transmitting, through the at least one lens, the light transmitted through the hydrophobic portion of the interior surface and the at least one of the first or third portions;
• receiving, using an image sensor, the transmitted light from the at least one lens;
• generating and transmitting, using the image sensor, data characterizing the transmitted light from the at least one lens;
• storing computer readable instructions in a memory element;
• and,
• executing the computer readable instructions, using at least one specially programmed processor and the data, to generate at least one image of the at least one of the first or third portions.