Method and apparatus for non-invasive analysis of saliva

• US 7,824,344 B1
• Filed: 07/18/2008
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pop Test LLC
• Original Assignee: Pop Test LLC
• Inventors: Altschul, Randice Lisa
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUONG Q
• Application Number:
  US12/218,950
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 600/573, 600/580, 600/584, 600/582, 422 56- 58, 422/61, 435/287.7, 435/287.8, 435/287.9, 435/805, 435/810, 435/969, 435/970, 435/975, 436 63- 71, 436/808, 436/810, 436/823, 206/305, 206/459.1, 206/459.5, 206/804, 206/820, 206/828
• US Class Current: 600/573
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0006 involving a colour change
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0009 Testing for drug or alcohol abuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1034 by means of colour cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4845 Toxicology, e.g. by detection of alcohol, drug or toxic products A61B5/4848 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8483 Investigating reagent band test-element handling not specific to a test method G01N33/4875; analytical elements specific to chemical analysis of biological material G01N33/52; autometer with reagent band G01N35/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/528 Atypical element structures, e.g. gloves, rods, tampons, toilet paper
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/805 Test papers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/81 Packaged device or kit

Abstract

A method and apparatus for non-invasive analysis of saliva includes a user friendly lolli-pop like apparatus that is self contained and provides the user with a method to stimulate saliva by sucking on the pop head. The saliva activates a color change reaction on the apparatus that results in a visual response that can be compared to a user gauge for analysis in monitoring health conditions and concerns.

Claims

1. A self-contained apparatus for conducting a non-invasive analysis of saliva to determine a level of a certain constituent present in the saliva, the apparatus comprising:

a flat card-like device having a flat configuration resembling a relatively thin card;

a head having a lolli-pop-like configuration for receiving on the head saliva from a user;

a means on the head capable of reacting with the certain constituent to display a visible color change to the head indicative of a level of the certain constituent in the saliva received on the head;

a stem connected to the head to provide the user with a simple means to hold the apparatus; and

a gauge including visible areas of color representing different levels of the certain constituent, the areas of color being displayed on the card-like device, placed relative to the head and the stem for enabling juxtaposition of the head with the gauge for a visual comparison of the color change at the head with the areas of color of the gauge, thereby providing a direct visual determination of the level of the certain constituent in the saliva received on the head, the head and the stem being die-cut within the card-like device so that the stem is pivoted out of the flat configuration for placement of the head in juxtaposition with a user'"'"'s mouth to facilitate reception of the saliva on the head, and is pivoted subsequently back into the card-like device to insert the head within the card-like device confined in side-by-side contiguity with the gauge to facilitate a direct visual comparison of the color change of the head with the areas of color of the gauge.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the certain constituent is associated with pregnancy and the analysis of the saliva is for pregnancy determination.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the certain constituent is alcohol and the analysis of the saliva is of alcohol levels.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the certain constituent is keto and the analysis of the saliva is of keto levels.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the certain constituent is a drug and the analysis of the saliva is for drug presence.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the gauge includes specific numbers and ranges of color to reflect the results of the particular saliva analysis.

12. The invention of claim 1 wherein the certain constituent is glucose and the analysis of the saliva is of glucose levels.

7. A method for conducting, within a self-contained apparatus, a non-invasive analysis of saliva to determine a level of a certain constituent present in the saliva, the method comprising:

providing a flat card-like device having a flat configuration resembling a relatively thin card;

providing a head die-cut within the card-like device, the head having a lolli-pop-like configuration and a means capable of reacting with the certain constituent for displaying a visible color change to the head indicative of a level of the certain constituent in the saliva;

providing a stem die-cut within the card-like device and connected to the head to provide the user with a simple means to hold the apparatus;

providing a gauge having visible areas of color representing different levels of the certain constituent, the areas of color being displayed on the card-like device, such that the stem enables selective movement of the head between a first position wherein the head is lifted out of the card-like device by pivoting the stem away from the gauge, and a second position wherein the head is inserted back into the card-like device by pivoting the stem so that the head is confined in side-by-side contiguity with the gauge;

pivoting the stem to place the head in the first position and, with the head in the first position, placing the head in juxtaposition with a user'"'"'s mouth for receiving saliva on the head from the user;

subsequently pivoting the stem to move the head into the second position to confine the head within the card-like device in side-by-side contiguity with the gauge; and

conducting a direct visual comparison of the color change to the head with the areas of color of the gauge within the self-contained apparatus.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the certain constituent is associated with pregnancy and the analysis of the saliva is for pregnancy determination.

9. The invention of claim 7 wherein the certain constituent is alcohol and the analysis of the saliva is of alcohol levels.

10. The invention of claim 7 wherein the certain constituent is keto and the analysis of the saliva is of keto levels.

11. The invention of claim 7 wherein the certain constituent is a drug and the analysis of the saliva is for drug presence.

13. The invention of claim 7 wherein the certain constituent is glucose and the analysis of the saliva is of glucose levels.