Patent ID: 8226597

Claim:
A system for delivering a fluid at a desired flow rate from a reservoir to a delivery point associated with a patient, the system comprising: a delivery channel between the reservoir and the delivery point through which the fluid is delivered to the patient; a pump associated with the delivery channel for operatively delivering the fluid to the delivery point at an adjustable output rate; a flow sensor located along the delivery channel for sensing a flow of the fluid in the delivery channel and for generating a flow rate signal indicative of a rate of flow of the fluid in the delivery channel, the flow sensor comprising: a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, the ports being operatively connected to the delivery channel; a first rotor positioned within the housing between the inlet port and the outlet port, wherein the flow rate signal is based directly on a rotation of the first rotor, the first rotor being arranged to rotate in response to a flow of medical fluid in the delivery channel, the first rotor including a marker indication; and a cover enclosing the housing such that when the medical fluid flows into the inlet port it causes the first rotor to rotate and thereafter the medical fluid exits through the outlet port, the cover having a transparent portion adjacent to the first rotor that enables rotation of the marker indication to be optically detected; and a controller for controlling the pump, the controller causing adjustments to the output rate of the pump as a function of the flow rate signal whereby the desired flow rate is substantially achieved.