Patent ID: 8622979

Claim:
An infusion pump, comprising: a first specially programmed microprocessor; a drip chamber for connection to an output tube; a drip tube for connection to a source of fluid and with an end disposed in the drip chamber; a drop suspended from the end of the drip tube; an illumination system: with a light source for transmitting light through a wall of the drip chamber to the drop of fluid suspended from the end of the drip tube; and, for controlling illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop; and, an optical system for: receiving light transmitted through the drop; and, transmitting, to the first microprocessor, data regarding the received light, wherein the first microprocessor is for: generating, using the data, an image of the drop; locating, using the image, an outer edge of the drop to define a boundary of the drop; integrating an area enclosed by the boundary; and, calculating a volume of revolution for the drop with respect to an axis for the drop that intersects the end of the drip tube, assuming symmetry of the drop with respect to the axis.