Patent ID: 7077002
Filing Date: 2006-07-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid confined by a wall member, which apparatus comprises: contacting means for contacting the wall member, the contacting means being formed of a material having a first heat transfer coefficient so that heat may be exchanged between the wall member and the contacting means, heating means for supplying heat to and draining heat from the contacting means so that heat is being supplied to the wall member when heat is being supplied to the contacting means and so that heat is being drained from the wall member when heat is being drained form the contacting means, sensor means for sensing the temperature of the contacting means, and processor means adapted to perform the determination of the flow rate of said fluid on the basis of two subsequently registered progressions of the temperature of the contacting means, one of said registered temperature progressions being a temperature decrease and another of said registered temperature progressions being a temperature increase.