Patent ID: 8069002
Filing Date: 2011-11-29
Classification: A61B,G01R,G06T

Abstract:
1. Method for monitoring a system in which a fluid flows and in which a preselected quantity of liquid is introduced as a system event whereby the system is characterized by a change in the system with time in space comprising the steps of: a) setting parameters of data collection, suitable to be processed by an imaging apparatus associated with a processor and memory, for collecting data indicative of a system parameter that varies with time as a function of at least two variables related to wash-in and wash-out behavior at a plurality of selected time points correlated to a system event; b) storing in memory a colored calibration map determined by calculation based on the set parameters and the plurality of selected time points, said colored calibration map meeting a preselected color attribute condition, and being composed of an array of first data points each corresponding to a distinctive set of values of the at least two variables with each said first data point colored with a distinctive set of a color hue value indicative of wash-out behavior and a color intensity value indicative of wash-in behavior according to a predefined algorithm based on the set of parameters of data collection and the plurality of selected time points; c) introducing a selected quantity of liquid into the system as a system event; d) monitoring, a preselected place in the system composed of an array of second data points to collect data, suitable to be processed by the imaging apparatus associated with processing and memory, with respect to said second data points indicative of the system parameter that varies with time as a function of said at least two variables related to wash-in and wash-out behavior correlated to the calibration map of step b); e) processing the data collected with respect to second data points according to said predefined algorithm to obtain for each second data point a distinctive set of a color hue value indicative of wash-out behavior and a color intensity value indicative of wash-in behavior, calibrated to the calibration map stored in step (b); f) storing said second data points and the distinctive sets of color hue and color intensity values obtained with respect to the second data points in memory; and g) using the imaging apparatus to visually present the preselected place in the system showing the distinctive sets of color hue and color intensity values of the second data points and storing the distinctive sets of color hue and color intensity values of the second data points; wherein ambiguity concerning color hue or color intensity values of any second data point in a visual presentation is resolved by reference to the stored calibration map.