Diagnostic testing kit for collection and testing of fluid samples with user configurable test strips and timer

• US 6,616,893 B1
• Filed: 11/11/2000
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tuan Pham
• Original Assignee: Tuan Pham
• Inventors: Pham, Tuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIEFKE, SAMUEL P
• Application Number:
  US09/710,734
• Time in Patent Office: 1,032 Days
• Field of Search: 422/61, 422/58, 422/50, 422/56, 422/60, 422/102, 422/57, 436/164, 436/169, 436/170, 436/180
• US Class Current: 422/417
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/528 Atypical element structures, e.g. gloves, rods, tampons, toilet paper
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples comprising a reservoir cup insertable into a container vessel. Fluid placed in the cup is communicated to reactive test strips located in a separation cavity between the cup and the container vessel when assembled. The test strips have a reactive agent impregnated in them that reacts to specific substances in the fluid and provide a visual result through the sidewall of the container vessel to the user. An optional alarm is provided to show minimum and maximum test times.

Claims

1. A diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples comprising:

a reservoir cup, said reservoir cup having a cup sidewall communicating at a bottom end with a reservoir endwall;

a top edge of said reservoir cup at the upper portion of said cup sidewall opposite said bottom end, said top edge defining a reservoir aperture;

an interior cavity of said reservoir cup, said interior cavity defined by said reservoir side wall, said reservoir endwall, and said top edge;

a container vessel, said container vessel having a container sidewall communicating at a.bottom portion with a container endwall;

an upper edge of said container sidewall opposite said bottom portion said upper edge defining a container aperture;

a container cavity defined by said container sidewall, said container endwall, and said upper edge;

means for sealed cooperative engagement of said top edge with said upper edge;

a separation cavity defined by area between the exterior surface of said reservoir side wall and said reservoir endwall and the surface area of said container cavity when said top edge is cooperatively engaged with said upper edge;

at least one test strip located in said separation cavity, said test strip having a bottom portion adjacent to said reservoir endwall, said bottom portion in direct communication with liquid deposited in said interior cavity, said bottom portion capable of communication of liquid communicated thereto to a top portion of said test strip, said top portion having a reactant end adjacent to said upper edge containing a reactive agent which visually reacts to specific contents in said fluid communicated thereto, thereby providing a test result which may be viewed through the container sidewall; and

means to communicate the flow rate of a liquid specimen deposited in said interior cavity to said bottom portion of said test strip in said separation cavity, whereby body fluid deposited in said interior cavity is communicated directly to said bottom portion of said test strip in said separation cavity at a controlled flow rate and said test strip thereafter displays said test result.

2. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a timing means located in said separation cavity, said timing means providing a signal when sufficient time has elapsed to render said test result valid.

3. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a cap, said cap cooperatively engageable with one of said upper edge or said top edge.

4. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one test strip is located in said separation cavity by affixation to said exterior surface of said receiver cup sidewall.

5. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one test strip is located in said separation cavity by affixation to said container vessel sidewall.

6. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 1 wherein said means to communicate the flow rate of a liquid specimen deposited in said interior cavity to to said bottom portion of said test strip in said separation cavity is at least one aperture communicating between through said reservoir sidewall.

7. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 4 wherein said means to communicate the flow rate of a liquid specimen deposited in said interior cavity to to said bottom portion of said test strip in said separation cavity is at least one aperture communicating between through said reservoir sidewall.

8. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 7 further comprising:

a timing means located in said separation cavity, said timing means communicating with said fluid communicated to said separation cavity and reacting thereto over a defined period of time to provide a signal to the user when sufficient time has elapsed to render said test result valid.

9. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 8 wherein said signal is visually observable through the container vessel sidewall.

10. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 8 wherein said signal is visually observable through the container vessel sidewall and includes a maximum time allowed signal also visible through said container vessel sidewall.

11. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 6 further comprising a valve means controlling fluid flow through said aperture.

12. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 7 further comprising a valve means controlling fluid flow through said aperture.

13. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 9 wherein said alarm is color change in said test strip.

14. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 9 wherein said alarm is a light source activated after a defined time of contact with said fluid.

15. The diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples as defined in claim 1 wherein said means to communicate the flow rate of a liquid specimen deposited in said interior cavity to said bottom portion of said test strip in said separation cavity is provided by a narrowing of the bottom end of said reservoir cup with widens the bottom end of said interior cavity.