Automatic urine flow meter

A fluid measurement and collection apparatus, comprising a collection means adapted to collect urinary output from a patient and a microprocessor means adapted to measure urinary output in said collection means;

• said collection means comprising in combination, measurement column means, said measurement column means being adapted to receive and retain fluid for optical measurement, first and second optical sensor means positioned adjacent said measurement column means, said first optical sensor means being adapted to indicate whether said measurement column means is substantially empty, said second optical sensor means being adapted to indicate whether said measurement column is substantially full, pump means coupled to said measurement column means, said pump means being adapted to remove fluid from said measurement column means at a known pump flow rate, and collection bag means coupled to said pump means, said collection bag means being adapted to receive fluid removed from said measurement column means by said pump means;
• clock means adapted to indicate time intervals, said clock means being coupled to said microprocessor means, said first and second optical sensor means and said pump means being coupled to said microprocessor means, said microprocessor means being adapted to activate said pump means when said second optical sensor means indicates that said measurement column means is substantially full, to drain said measurement column means and measure time intervals indicated by said clock means until said first optical sensor means indicates said measurement column means is substantially empty, and to determine volume of said fluid equal to the measured time intervals multipled by the known pump flow rate.