Test methods, devices and test kits
First Claim
1. A monitoring device for use in conjunction with one or more body fluid testing devices to provide an indication of the time of maximum fertility in the mammalian ovulation cycle, said monitoring device comprising:
- a) a reading means for reading for reading test signals provided by said one or more testing devices, said reading means being operationally connected to said testing devices, said signals including a signal proportional to the concentration of a first analyte in a body fluid, which first analyte exhibits a detectable concentration change at about the time of ovulation in said cycle, and a signal proportional to the concentration of a second analyte in a sample of body fluid, which second analyte exhibits a detectable concentration change after the commencement of said cycle but before the concentration change of said first analyte becomes detectable; and
b) an electronic processing means for interpreting said test signals obtained in a series of tests conducted following the commencement of said cycle, wherein said electronic processing means of said monitoring device is operationally connected to said reading means, said electronic processing means providing an indication that fertility is elevated when said concentration change of said second analyte has been detected, and an indication that fertility is maximum when said concentration change of said first analyte has been detected.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for determining the time of maximum fertility in the mammalian ovulation cycle, for the purpose of assisting conception, wherein testing is conducted over a period of days in the current ovulation cycle on samples of body fluid obtained from an individual human subject to detect an elevated concentration of first analyte, such as luteinising hormone (LH) indicative of the event of ovulation, and additionally testing is conducted over a period of days in the current ovulation cycle on samples of body fluid obtained from the individual subject to detect an elevated concentration of a second analyte, such as estradiol or a metabolite thereof, especially estradiol-3-glucuronide (E3G), to provide advance warning of ovulation.
134 Citations
49 Claims
-
1. A monitoring device for use in conjunction with one or more body fluid testing devices to provide an indication of the time of maximum fertility in the mammalian ovulation cycle, said monitoring device comprising:
-
a) a reading means for reading for reading test signals provided by said one or more testing devices, said reading means being operationally connected to said testing devices, said signals including a signal proportional to the concentration of a first analyte in a body fluid, which first analyte exhibits a detectable concentration change at about the time of ovulation in said cycle, and a signal proportional to the concentration of a second analyte in a sample of body fluid, which second analyte exhibits a detectable concentration change after the commencement of said cycle but before the concentration change of said first analyte becomes detectable; and
b) an electronic processing means for interpreting said test signals obtained in a series of tests conducted following the commencement of said cycle, wherein said electronic processing means of said monitoring device is operationally connected to said reading means, said electronic processing means providing an indication that fertility is elevated when said concentration change of said second analyte has been detected, and an indication that fertility is maximum when said concentration change of said first analyte has been detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
- 15. A test kit according to 14 wherein each of said test devices uses a single sample of said body fluid.
- 17. A method for determining the time of maximum fertility in the human ovulation cycle comprising obtaining samples of body fluid of a human subject, conducting testing over a period of days in the current ovulation cycle on said samples of body fluid to detect an elevated concentration of luteinising hormone (LH) indicative of the event of ovulation and conducting additional testing over a period of days in the current ovulation cycle on additional samples of body fluid obtained from the individual human subject to detect an elevated concentration of an analyte selected form the group consisting of estradiol and metabolites thereof indicative of the imminent event of ovulation.
-
26. A method of patient management comprising testing a patient by analysis of a body fluid of said patient, wherein said analysis is accomplished by:
-
(i) providing;
a) one or more testing devices that provide test signals, including a signal proportional to the concentration of a first analyte in a body fluid, which first analyte exhibits a detectable concentration change at about the time of ovulation in said cycle, and a signal proportional to the concentration of a second analyte in a sample of body fluid, which second analyte exhibits a detectable concentration change after the commencement of said cycle but before the concentration change of said first analyte becomes detectable;
b) a monitoring device comprising receiving means for receiving one of said one or more testing devices, reading means associated with said receiving means for reading said test signals, electronic processing means for interpreting said test signals, and interface means for communicating with electronic data transmission means; and
c) electronic data transmission means for transmitting electronic data;
(ii) downloading electronic data from said monitoring device onto said electronic data transmission means;
(iii) inputting said downloaded electronic data into said electronic processing means, from which said electronic processing means a health professional thereby derives patient-related information. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
-
Specification