# US 9,752,914 B2 · Measuring apparatus system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,914 B2 - Document ID: US9752914B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/490,414 - Filed: 2009-06-24 - Published: 2009-12-24 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-24 - Assignees: Fize Research Ltd. - Applicants: Noam Levine - Inventors: Noam Levine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752914B2 ## CPC - G01F 23/02: by gauge glasses or other apparatus involving a window or transparent tube for directly observing the level to be measured or the level of a liquid column in free communication with the main body of the liquid - A61F 5/44: Devices worn by the patient for reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge (absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, A61F13/15; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00); Colostomy devices - G01F 1/007: {by measuring the level variations of storage tanks relative to the time} - G01F 1/56: by using electric or magnetic effects (G01F1/66 takes precedence) - G01F 23/266: {measuring circuits therefor} - A61M 25/0017: {specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections} - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Disclosed are a method, device and system for determining a flow rate of an excretion stream within an excretion collection assembly. According to some embodiments of the present invention, one of the constituent elements of the collection assembly includes a sensing module which includes an electrical and/or electromechanical component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for estimating a rate of urine produced by kidneys and flowing into a bladder based on measurement of an excretion stream within an excretion collection assembly including a catheter, said system comprising: a urinary catheter, of the excretion collection assembly, configured to be inserted into a bladder such that urine entering the bladder exits through said catheter and flows through at least part of the excretion collection assembly; a measuring device at least a portion of which is integral with a constituent element of the excretion collection assembly, wherein said measuring device comprises: a sensing element for sensing a rate of urine flow out of the bladder; first circuitry connected to the sensing element to produce a signal indicative of the rate of urine flow out of the bladder, wherein said electronic circuitry includes at least one analog or at least one digital component functionally associated with said sensing element; and second circuitry to estimate a present urine flow into the bladder based on the flow indicative signal produced by said first circuitry. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said device is integral with a tube of the assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said device is integral with a bag of the assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said device is integral with a catheter of the assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said device is integral with a measurement probe of the assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein said device includes a non volatile memory (NVM). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein said device includes a random access memory (RAM). ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein said first or second circuitry are an integrated circuit (IC). ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein said first or second circuitry are powered by at least one battery. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system according to claim 9, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein said first or second circuitry or said sensing element are powered by a chemical reaction associated with the excretion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein said first or second circuitry receive power through an electrical wire connected to an electrical power source. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein said first or second circuitry are adapted to transmit a signal indicative of excretion flow to an external device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system according to claim 13, wherein said first or second circuitry are adapted to transmit the signal through an electrical wire. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system according to claim 14, wherein said wire includes a connector including a non-volatile memory. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The system according to claim 13, wherein said first or second circuitry are adapted to transmit the signal wirelessly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein said system is discrete. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein said system utilizes a calibration parameter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system according to claim 18, wherein said calibration parameter reflects at least one characteristic of said first or second circuitry or said sensing element. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system according to claim 18, wherein said calibration parameter is adjusted during production or sorting of said first or second circuitry or said sensing element.