DIAGNOSTIC TEST DEVICE WITH IMPROVED DISPLAY

• US 20160022225A1
• Filed: 03/05/2014
• Published: 01/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Church & Dwight Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Church & Dwight Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Nazareth, Albert R., Snowden, Timothy, Palmer, Mathew, Sanders, Giles H.W., Romanoschi, Ovieiu
• Application Number:
  US14/776,557
• Publication Number:
  US 20160022225A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/007 for taking urine samples measuring urological functions A61B5/20; genital receptacles A61F5/451; urinals for bed-ridden persons A61G9/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0418 Pen-shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0295 Strip shaped analyte sensors for apparatus classified in A61B5/145 or A61B5/157 disposable multilayered or laminated electrodes G01N27/307; details of handling chemical test elements G01N33/4875
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14507 specially adapted for measuring characteristics of body fluids other than blood devices for taking samples of body liquids A61B10/0045
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150358 Strips for collecting blood, e.g. absorbent optical reagent test strips G01N21/8483; chemical reagent test strips G01N33/4875, G01N33/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4343 Pregnancy and labour monitoring, e.g. for labour onset detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/005 Indication of measured value by colour change

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to diagnostic test devices that provide enhanced communication to a user thereof through provision of improved digital display. The test device can include a test member, such as lateral flow assay test strip. The test device can further include an electronic communication circuit that can comprise a digital display element as well as a microcontroller. Other elements in the electronic communication circuit can include one or more sensor elements, an audio element, and one or more switching elements. The disclosure further relates to methods of providing indicia of operation of a test device that comprises steps for assembly of a diagnostic test device that includes an improved digital display.

Claims

1. A diagnostic test device comprising:

a test member; and

an electronic communication circuit adapted to provide one or more indicia of operation of the test member to a user;

wherein the electronic communication circuit includes a color digital display.

2. The diagnostic test device of claim 1, wherein the color digital display comprises a plurality of color-variable pixels.

3. The diagnostic test device of claim 1, wherein the color digital display comprises one or more light emitting diode (LED).

6. The diagnostic test device of claim 1, wherein the color digital display comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD).

11. The diagnostic test device of claim 6, wherein the LCD comprises backlighting.

12. The diagnostic test device of claim 1, wherein the electronic communication circuit comprises a microcontroller.

24. The diagnostic test device of claim 1, wherein the electronic communication circuit further includes an audio output component.

26. The diagnostic test device of claim 1, wherein the test device is adapted to detect the presence of an analyte in a fluid sample applied to the test member.

4-5. -5. (canceled)

7-10. -10. (canceled)

13-23. -23. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

27-28. -28. (canceled)

29. A diagnostic test device comprising:

a test member; and

an electronic communication circuit adapted to provide one or more indicia of operation of the test member to a user;

wherein the electronic communication circuit includes a dynamic digital display.

30. The diagnostic test device of claim 29, wherein the dynamic digital is adapted to render variable text characters.

31. The diagnostic test device of claim 29, wherein the dynamic digital display is adapted to display one or more characters in a sequence that simulates motion on the display.

33. The diagnostic test device of claim 31, wherein the one or more characters define a word or a string of words.

35. The diagnostic test device of claim 31, wherein the sequence in which the characters are displayed defines scrolling of the characters on the display.

32. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

36-51. -51. (canceled)

52. A diagnostic test device comprising:

a test member; and

an electronic communication circuit adapted to provide one or more indicia of operation of the test member to a user;

wherein the electronic communication circuit comprises;

a digital display adapted for progressive illumination of a plurality of characters; and

a microcontroller adapted to signal the digital display to progressively illuminate or darken the characters in a defined sequence.

58. The diagnostic test device of claim 52, wherein the digital display is adapted to display the plurality of characters in color.

53-57. -57. (canceled)

59-72. -72. (canceled)

73. A method for providing one or more indicia of operation of a test device to a user, the method comprising combining, in a single casing:

a test member; and

an electronic communication circuit that includes;

a microcontroller;

one or more components adapted to provide input signals to the microcontroller relating to the test member; and

a color digital display.

74. The method of claim 73, further, comprising programming the microcontroller to respond to a defined input signal by signaling the color digital display to make visible one or more color characters defining the one or more indicia of operation of the test.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the character is selected from the group consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, pictures, and combinations thereof.

76. A method for providing one or more indicia of operation of a test device to a user, the method comprising combining, in a single casing:

a test member; and

an electronic communication circuit that includes;

a microcontroller;

one or more components adapted to provide input signals to the microcontroller relating to the test member; and

a dynamic digital display.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the dynamic digital display comprises a plurality of multi-pixelated fields.

78-79. -79. (canceled)

80. A method for providing one or more indicia of operation of a test device to a user, the method comprising combining, in a single casing:

a test member; and

an electronic communication circuit that includes;

a digital display adapted for progressive illumination of a plurality of characters;

a microcontroller adapted to signal the digital display to progressively illuminate or darken the characters in a defined sequence; and

one or more components adapted to provide input signals to the microcontroller relating to the test member.

83. The method of claim 80, wherein the input signal defines the start of a test or a stage thereof, and wherein the method further comprises programming the microcontroller to respond to the input signal by signaling the digital display to progressively illuminate or darken the characters over a time period defined by the amount of time for completion of the test or the stage thereof.

81-82. -82. (canceled)