Assaying device and method for in field urinalysis

• US 6,379,620 B1
• Filed: 11/16/1998
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zyon Int'l Inc
• Original Assignee: Barry M. Tydings, James P. Lee
• Inventors: Lee, James P., Tydings, Barry M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cross, Latoya I.
• Application Number:
  US09/192,969
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• Field of Search: 422/56, 422/58, 422/60, 422/61, 422/102, 436/164, 436/169, 436/170, 436/180
• US Class Current: 422/412
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0609 Holders integrated in container to position an object
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0663 Whole sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54366 Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/558 using diffusion or migration of antigen or antibody immunochromatographic test strips G01N33/54387
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An assay device for in field urine analysis including a container having an opening for collecting a urine sample, a cover for sealing the opening of the container and an assay assembly provided in the container for chemically analyzing the urine sample. The assay assembly comprises a liquid impermeable backing, a wicking material provided on a rear surface of the backing, at least one assay strip provided on a front surface of the backing and adjacent a top edge of the backing in contact with the wicking material, a front cover provided on the front surface of the backing for sealing the assay strip to the backing at a bottom and two sides of the assay strip and a rear cover provided on the rear surface of the backing for together with the front cover sealing said wicking material and the assay strip adjacent the top edge and two sides of said wicking material.

Claims

1. An assaying device for in field urine analysis comprising:

a transparent container means having an opening for collecting a urine sample;

a cover means for sealing said opening of said container means; and

an assay assembly provided in said container means for chemically analyzing said urine sample, said assay assembly comprising;

a liquid impermeable backing;

at least one assay strip provided on a front surface of said liquid impermeable backing facing outwardly and viewable through said transparent container means;

a wicking means provided on a rear surface of said liquid impermeable backing separated from said assay strip by said liquid impermeable backing with one portion of said wicking means extending over a top edge of said liquid impermeable backing and overlapping a top portion of said assay strip;

a front cover means provided on said front surface of said liquid impermeable backing, said front cover means sealing said assay strip to said liquid impermeable backing at a bottom and two sides of said assay strip; and

a rear cover means provided on said rear surface of said liquid impermeable backing for sealing said wicking means to said liquid impermeable backing at two sides of said wicking means.

2. An assay assembly for chemically analyzing a urine sample, said assay assembly comprising:

a liquid impermeable backing;

at least one assay strip provided on a front surface of said liquid impermeable backing;

a wicking means provided on a rear surface of said backing with one portion of said wicking means extending over a top edge of said liquid impermeable backing with said portion of said wicking means overlapping a top portion of said assay strip;

a front cover means provided on said front surface of said liquid impermeable backing for sealing said assay strip to said liquid impermeable backing at a bottom and two sides of said assay strip; and

a rear cover means provided on said rear surface of said liquid impermeable backing for sealing said wicking means to said liquid impermeable backing at two sides of said wicking means.

3. An assay assembly according to claim 2, wherein said rear cover is injected molded and said backing and front and rear cover are made from resilient materials.

4. A method for in field urine analysis comprising the steps of:

introducing a urine sample into a transparent container having an opening after removing a cover from said opening, said transparent container further being provided with an assay assembly for chemically analyzing said urine sample, said assay assembly comprising;

a liquid impermeable backing;

at least one assay strip provided on a front surface of said liquid impermeable backing facing outwardly and viewable through said transparent container means;

a wicking means provided on a rear surface of said liquid impermeable backing separated from said assay strip by said liquid impermeable backing with one portion of said wicking means extending over a top edge of said liquid impermeable backing and overlapping said assay strip;

a front cover means provided on said front surface of said liquid impermeable backing for sealing said assay strip to said liquid impermeable backing at a bottom and two sides of said assay strip; and

placing the cover means back on the container means to seal the opening; and

allowing the urine to wick up the wicking means over the top edge of said liquid impermeable backing and down the portion of the wicking means to the assay strip to react with the assay strip.

5. An assaying device for in field urinalysis comprising:

a transparent container means having an opening for collecting a urine sample therein;

a cover means for sealing said opening of said container means; and

an assay assembly provided in said transparent container means for chemically analyzing said urine sample, said assay assembly comprising;

a liquid impermeable layer;

at least one assay strip provided on a front surface of said liquid impermeable layer facing outwardly and viewable through said transparent container means;

at least one longitudinally extending wicking means provided on a back surface of said liquid impermeable layer separated from said assay strip by said liquid impermeable layer with one portion of said wicking means extending over a top edge of said liquid impermeable layer with said portion of said wicking means overlapping said assay strip; and

a cover means provided on said assay strip and wicking means for sealing said wicking means and assay strip from liquid contact with said urine sample except at one end portion of said wicking means.

6. A method for in field urinalysis comprising the steps of;

introducing a urine sample into a transparent container having an opening after removing a cover from said opening, said container further being provided with an assay assembly for chemically analyzing said urine sample, said assay assembly comprising;

a liquid impermeable layer;

at least one assay strip provided on a front surface of said liquid impermeable layer facing oddly and viewable through said transparent container means;

at least one longitudinally extending wicking means provided on said liquid impermeable layer separated from said assay strip by said liquid impermeable layer with one portion of said wicking means extending over a top edge of said liquid impermeable backing and overlapping said assay strip;

a cover means provided on said assay strip and wicking means for sealing said wicking means and assay strip from liquid contact with said urine sample except at a bottom portion of said wicking means;

placing the cover means back on the container to seal the opening; and

allowing the urine to wick up the wicking means and down the assay strip to react with the assay strip.