Flow Meter and Related Method Patent Application

ChangeBridge: Patent Apps - Health Informatics (G16H)

Published October 29th, 2025

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

The USPTO has published a patent application (US20260088149A1) for a flow meter and related method filed by DEKA Products Limited Partnership. The application describes an image-based gravity-driven infusion system that uses camera monitoring to regulate flow, with an optional physics-based model for enhanced accuracy and safety.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

This document is a patent application, not a regulatory rule or enforcement action. It describes a novel gravity-driven infusion system that utilizes image-based monitoring to regulate fluid flow. Key features include capturing pendant drops and meniscus levels via camera, deriving flow rates from geometric functionals without explicit volume integration, and incorporating a physics-based model for confidence metrics. The system includes safety occluders, a medication library, tilt compensation, and continuous stream detection with alarms.

As a patent application, it does not impose direct compliance obligations on regulated entities. However, it signals potential future technological advancements in infusion systems. Companies involved in the development or manufacturing of medical devices, particularly infusion pumps and related monitoring technology, should be aware of this application as it may impact future product development, intellectual property strategies, and market competition. The application was filed on October 29, 2025, and published with a projected date of March 26, 2026.

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Applications

FLOW METER AND RELATED METHOD

Application US20260088149A1 Kind: A1 Mar 26, 2026

Assignee

DEKA Products Limited Partnership

Inventors

Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin, Karla Beagle, Dirk A. Van Der Merwe, Gregory J. Buitkus, Daniel S. Karol, Drew R. Blais, Samantha Pinella, Bryan I. Stoneham, Adnan Suljevic, Naveen Mitikiri

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a gravity-driven infusion system that uses image-based monitoring to regulate flow. A contrasting, infrared-backlit wall and camera capture pendant drops and meniscus levels within a transparent drip chamber. The controller defines a baseline referenced to the spout or meniscus and fits sparse spline points on the drop perimeter to derive geometric functionals, such as neck width and centroid height. Temporal changes of these functionals map directly to instantaneous flow without explicit volume integration. An optional Young-Laplace model provides a physics-based boundary and confidence metric. A meniscus trend yields a low-frequency flow estimate. Confidence-weighted fusion controls a flow-control valve that compresses a multi-lumen insert. An independent safety occluder and watchdog ensure fail-safe shutdown. A medication library stores fluid-aware calibration. Multi-source embodiments orchestrate multiple controllers with virtual head-height equalization and verified handoffs. It performs pre-infusion checks, logs uncertainty, and supports tilt compensation too. Continuous stream detection triggers alarms.

CPC Classifications

G16H 20/17 A61B 17/00234 A61M 5/14228 A61M 5/16831 A61M 5/16877 A61M 5/16886 A61M 25/00 F04B 43/08 F04B 43/082 F04B 43/12 F04B 43/1261 F04B 49/00 F04B 49/065 G01F 1/00 G01F 1/666 G06Q 50/22 G16H 30/00 G16H 40/63 G16H 40/67 G16H 50/00 G16Z 99/00 A61M 2005/16863 F04B 43/09 F04B 2205/09 G06T 2207/20104