Urine collection cup

• US 6,375,897 B1
• Filed: 02/14/2000
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ansys Technologies, Inc. (Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bachand, Steven S.
• Primary Examiner(s): WALLENHORST, MAUREEN
• Application Number:
  US09/503,297
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 422/55, 422/56, 422/58, 422/61, 422/102, 422/68.1, 422/947, 436/164, 436/165, 436/169, 600/573, 600/574, 600/584, 604/318, 604/404
• US Class Current: 422/401
• 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: B01L 2300/0663 Whole sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0841 Drums
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0858 Side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis

Abstract

A urine collection cup device is provided including a clear plastic cup, a reagent strip disposed against an inner surface of the cup and adhered thereto by means of a plastic laminate or adhesive member. An aperture is provided in the adhesive member on a sample introduction end of the reagent strip to enable a fluid sample to be introduced onto the reagent strip. By capillary action the fluid migrates up the reagent strip and causes a visible indication of test validity and test results. A second aperture covered with a hydrophobic material is provided adjacent the reagent strip end to enable air to vent from the strip while preventing fluid specimen from entering therein.

Claims

1. A fluid specimen collection device comprising:

a transparent cup having an inner surface for containing a fluid specimen;

a reagent strip for indicating a presence of at least one specific component of said fluid specimen;

an adhesive member for encapsulating the strip against said inner surface;

a first aperture through said adhesive member and aligned with a first end of said reagent strip for introducing said fluid specimen to the first end of the strip;

a second aperture through said adhesive member and aligned with a second end of said reagent strip for venting air from the reagent strip in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the strip; and

a pair of end pads, disposed between the cup inner surface and the strip at the strip first and second ends, for providing a spaced apart relationship between the strip and the cup inner surface.

2. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a filter, separate from said reagent strip and disposed between said reagent strip and said first aperture, for filtering said fluid specimen before entry onto the first end of the strip.

3. The device according to claim 2 further comprising a hydrophobic member, separate from said reagent strip and disposed between said reagent strip and said second aperture, for preventing fluid flow into said reagent strip while enabling air flow out of said reagent strip through said second aperture.

4. The device according to claim 3 further comprising a conjugate pad disposed at the first end of the strip.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said end pads are absorbent in order to prevent said reagent strip from becoming saturated with fluid specimen.

6. The device according to claim 5 further comprising a conjugate pad disposed at the first end of the strip.

7. A fluid specimen collection device comprising:

a transparent cup having an inner surface for containing a fluid specimen;

a reagent strip, having a first and a second end, for indicating a presence of at least one specific component of said fluid specimen;

an adhesive member for encapsulating the strip against said inner surface

a first aperture through said adhesive member and aligned with a first end of said reagent strip for introducing said fluid specimen to the first end of the strip; and

a pair of end pads, disposed between the cup inner surface and the strip at the strip first and second ends, for providing a spaced apart relationship between the strip and the cup inner surface.

8. The device according to claim 7 further comprising a filter, separate from said reagent strip and disposed between said reagent strip and said first aperture, for filtering said fluid specimen before entry onto the first end of the strip.

9. The device according to claim 7 wherein said end pads are absorbent in order to prevent said reagent strip from becoming saturated with fluid specimen.

10. The device according to claim 9 further comprising a conjugate pad disposed at the first end of the strip.