REDUCING OR AVOIDING MUSCLE CRAMPS

• US 20080292499A1
• Filed: 07/31/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stokely-Van Camp Incorporated (PepsiCo Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stokely-Van Camp Incorporated (PepsiCo Incorporated)
• Inventors: Zachwieja, Jeffrey J., Weber, Wayne W., Murray, Robert, Stofan, John R. IV, Rapkin, Myron C., Horswill, Craig A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,597,591 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/400
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/38 Other non-alcoholic beverages drinks from legumes A23L11/60
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/52 Adding ingredients adding preservatives A23L2/44
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 33/16 Inorganic salts, minerals or trace elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0064 for taking sweat or sebum samples measuring sweat production A61B5/4266
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4261 Evaluating exocrine secretion production A61B3/101 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2800/10 Musculoskeletal or connective tissue disorders
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/6887 from muscle, cartilage or connective tissue
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/84 involving inorganic compounds or pH
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/193333 In aqueous solution

Abstract

Muscle cramps can be reduced or avoided by monitoring the concentration of salt in perspiration to indicate the degree of salt depletion. Based on the degree of salt depletion, a sufficient amount of rehydration beverage is consumed to normalize the salt level.

Claims

1. A kit for reducing muscle cramps comprising:

a collection unit configured to be dermally mounted onto the skin of a test subject to collect body fluid during physical exertion;

a tester including a test portion configured to be exposed to the body fluid after collection in the collection unit, wherein the test portion is further configured to react with the body fluid for use in determining a result indicative of an estimated degree of ionic depletion from the test subject; and

dosage information for at least one beverage for ionic replenishment sufficient to substantially limit muscle cramping.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the tester is configured to be utilized in a calorimetric test.

3. The kit of claim 2, wherein the tester is configured to measure the concentration of components selected from the group consisting of:

salt, sodium, chloride, and combinations thereof.

4. The kit of claim 2, wherein the tester is configured to measure the concentration of components selected from the group consisting of:

proteins, urea, ketones, lactate, magnesium, potassium and combinations thereof.

5. The kit of claim 2, wherein the tester is configured to measure parameters selected from the group consisting of:

specific gravity, pH, and combinations thereof.

6. The kit of claim 2, wherein the body fluid comprises perspiration.

7. The kit of claim 1, wherein the kit further comprises the at least one beverage referenced on the dosage information.

8. The kit of claim 1, wherein the kit further comprises a rehydration beverage concentrate and the dosage information comprises information in preparing a rehydration beverage from the rehydration beverage concentrate.

9. The kit of claim 1, wherein the kit further comprises a test chart that provides an indication the degree of salt depletion based on the result.

10. The kit of claim 1, wherein the kit further comprises a color scale having a plurality of colors to indicate the degree of salt depletion based on the result.