CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING HOME TESTING AND DIAGNOSIS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

• US 20090004055A1
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orasure Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Orasure Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Robinson, Jason, Judson, Jared Alden, Klein, Devorah Emily, Formica, P. Michael, Darrigrand, William A., Zunda, Charles, Pangaro, Gian A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,998,757 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/807 Apparatus included in process claim, e.g. physical support structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/808 Automated or kit

Abstract

A container is configured to provide sequential access to contents therein, and includes an upper portion and a lower portion connected to the upper portion by a hinged portion, the lower portion defining an interior space bearing a moveable tray and an opening through which the moveable tray may move, the moveable tray defining an interior volume configured to receive at least one device therewithin. The container also includes at least one device borne by the moveable tray, at least one cavity for receiving the at least one device disposed in the upper portion and at least one insert located between the upper and lower portions, the at least one insert comprising at least written indicia thereon.

Claims

1. A container configured to provide sequential access to contents therein, comprising:

an upper portion;

a lower portion connected to said upper portion by a hinged portion, said lower portion defining an interior space bearing a moveable tray and an opening through which the moveable tray may move, the moveable tray defining an interior volume configured to receive at least one device therewithin;

at least one device borne by said moveable tray;

at least one cavity for receiving said at least one device disposed in said upper portion; and

at least one insert located between said upper and lower portions, said at least one insert comprising at least written indicia thereon.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the written indicia on said at least one insert comprises instructions for use of the at least one device.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the written indicia on said at least one insert includes sequential instructions for use of the at least one device.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein the at least one cavity includes a plurality of chambers, each of said chambers receiving a corresponding component of the device.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein said another insert comprises includes both textual and graphical instructions.

6. The container of claim 2, wherein the at least one device comprises a testing device for the testing of a presence of a material indicative of a designated infectious agent and for providing a visual indicator showing one of the presence of said material or the absence of said material.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the instructions for use of the at least one device comprises information interpreting the visual indicator showing said one of the presence of said material or said absence of said material.

8. The container of claim 4, further comprising:

a plurality of devices borne by said moveable tray.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the written indicia on said at least one insert includes sequential instructions for utilizing the plurality of devices borne by said moveable tray, determining a test result, and interpreting a test result.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein said plurality of devices borne by said moveable tray comprise a test stick and a test tube.

11. A method of providing sequential access to devices or articles located within a container, comprising the acts of:

providing a container, said container including an upper portion with at least one cavity for receiving at least one article or device, a lower portion connected to said upper portion, an instructional insert disposed between said upper portion and said lower portion, a moveable tray disposed in said lower portion, and a plurality of articles disposed in said tray;

accessing at least one instruction in said instructional insert, accessing an article disposed in said tray in correspondence to said instructions in said instructional insert, and performing an act directed by said instructions in said instructional insert utilizing said article disposed in said tray in correspondence to said instructions in said instructional insert; and

determining a test result.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the act of:

providing in said instructional insert both textual and graphical instructions.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the acts of:

positioning at least one article or device in said at least one cavity comprises positioning components of the testing device in said cavity;

wherein the article or device is a testing device for the testing and diagnosis of a predetermined infectious disease.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the acts of:

sequentially accessing a plurality of instructions in said instructional insert;

sequentially accessing individual ones of a plurality of articles disposed in said tray in correspondence to said instructions in said instructional insert; and

sequentially performing acts directed by said instructions in said instructional insert utilizing a designated article in correspondence to said instructions in said instructional insert.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising the act of:

interpreting a test result in accord with said instructions in said instructional insert.

16. A testing kit configured to provide sequential access to contents therein, comprising:

an upper portion;

a lower portion connected to said upper portion by a hinged portion, said lower portion defining an interior space bearing a tray and an opening through which the tray may be accessed, the tray defining an interior volume configured to receive a plurality of test components therewithin;

a plurality of test components borne by said tray, said plurality of test components collectively enabling the performance of at least one test;

at least one cavity provided in said upper portion for receiving at least of said test components therein; and

at least one instructional insert disposed between said upper portion and said lower portion.

17. The testing kit of claim 16, wherein the instructional insert comprises instructions for sequential use of the test components.

18. The testing kit of claim 16, wherein the plurality of test components borne by said tray are adapted to enable the performance of a test to detect a presence of a material indicative of a designated infectious agent and to provide a visual indicator showing one of the presence of said material or the absence of said material.

19. The testing kit of claim 18, wherein said instructions comprise information interpreting the visual indicator showing said one of the presence of said material or said absence of said material.

20. The testing kit of claim 16, wherein said tray is moveable with respect to said lower portion.