Abstract
In order to record urine flow rate and electrolyte concentration continuously, an improved drop transducer was developed. The transducer is constructed with a tube and a wick of stainless steel, supported vertically and separated 3-6 mm. The urine drop is generated at the bottom of the tube and glows until it contacts the wick. The drop falls at the moment and the circuit of the tube and the wick is closed electrically by the drop. If a constant voltage is applied between the tube and the wick, a current proportional to the conductivity of the solution is drained at every moment of the drop fall. The drop rate is proportional to the flow rate up to 400 drops per minute. Electrical conductivity is recorded as pen diffraction of drop record. The amplitude is approximately proportional to the electrolyte concentration of urine. Making use of integrators, urine flow rate and electrolyte concentration or electrolyte output can be recorded continuously by a 1-channel pen recorder. It is considered that the drop transducer can be applied to record rapid changes of urine flow rate and electrolyte concentration in animal experiments as well as to clinical application of urine monitoring.
