Self contained diagnostic test unit
First Claim
1. A diagnostic test unit, comprising:
- an elongated hollow housing having a proximal end and a distal end, said housing defining a specimen chamber for receiving therein a specimen for analysis;
a cap removably mounted on said proximal end of said housing; and
a diagnostic strip assembly mounted on said distal end of said housing, said diagnostic strip assembly including a diagnostic strip of a porous material for fluid flow along said strip by wick action, means for supporting said diagnostic strip to extend generally along the exterior of said specimen chamber, and transfer means for controllably coupling a specimen within said specimen chamber for flow to and contact with one end of said diagnostic strip, whereby the specimen will flow along said strip by wick action;
said strip carrying at least one reagent for contact by the specimen flowing along said strip to provide a visual indication of test result.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self contained diagnostic test unit is provided for use in the collection and analysis of a biological specimen or the like. The test unit comprises a tubular housing defining a specimen chamber for receiving a specimen disposed, for example, on a specimen collection device such as a swab or the like. A reagent dispenser cap may be associated with the housing for delivering one or more selected reagents to the specimen chamber for contacting the collected specimen. A diagnostic strip assembly is mounted on the housing and comprises a diagnostic test strip adapted for controlled contact with the collected specimen, for causing a portion of the specimen to flow by wick action through the test strip. The specimen interacts with one or more reagents disposed along the test strip to produce a visible reaction such as a color change which can be observed from the exterior of the test unit to provide an indication of the result of a selected diagnostic test.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A diagnostic test unit, comprising:
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an elongated hollow housing having a proximal end and a distal end, said housing defining a specimen chamber for receiving therein a specimen for analysis; a cap removably mounted on said proximal end of said housing; and a diagnostic strip assembly mounted on said distal end of said housing, said diagnostic strip assembly including a diagnostic strip of a porous material for fluid flow along said strip by wick action, means for supporting said diagnostic strip to extend generally along the exterior of said specimen chamber, and transfer means for controllably coupling a specimen within said specimen chamber for flow to and contact with one end of said diagnostic strip, whereby the specimen will flow along said strip by wick action; said strip carrying at least one reagent for contact by the specimen flowing along said strip to provide a visual indication of test result. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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- 6. The diagnostic test unit of 1 wherein said means for supporting said diagnostic strip comprises a protective outer sleeve mounted about said housing and having said strip supported therein between said housing and said sleeve, said sleeve including a transparent window to permit visual observation of said strip.
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18. A diagnostic test unit, comprising:
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an elongated hollow housing having a proximal end and a distal end, said housing defining a specimen chamber for receiving therein a specimen for analysis; a reagent dispenser cap removably mounted on said proximal end of said housing, said reagent dispenser cap including means for delivering at least one reagent into said specimen chamber for contacting a specimen therein; and a diagnostic strip assembly mounted on said distal end of said housing, said diagnostic strip assembly comprising a diagnostic strip or a porous material for fluid flow along said strip by wick action, a strip holder having a channel therein for receiving and supporting said strip, mounting means for supporting said strip holder on the exterior of said housing generally at the distal end of said housing, a protective outer sleeve mounted about said strip holder and said strip generally at the distal end of said housing, said sleeve having a transparent window to permit visual observation of said strip, and transfer means between said distal end of said housing and one end of said strip for controllably coupling mixed specimen and reagent within said specimen chamber for flow to and contact with one end of said strip, whereby mixed specimen and reagent will flow along said strip by wick action; said strip carrying at least one reagent for contact by mixed specimen and reagent flowing along said strip to provide a visual indication of test result. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification