Reducing or avoiding muscle cramps

• US 7,874,995 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2006
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stokely-Van Camp Incorporated (PepsiCo Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stokely-Van Camp Incorporated (PepsiCo Incorporated)
• Inventors: Zachwieja, Jeffrey J., Weber, Wayne W., Murray, Robert, Stofan, John R. IV, Rapkin, Myron C., Horswill, Craig A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOUGHERTY, SEAN PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US11/591,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20080139964A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• Field of Search: 600/346, 600/584, 424/439, 604/20
• US Class Current: 600/584
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/38 Other non-alcoholic beverages drinks from legumes A23L11/60
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/52 Adding ingredients adding preservatives A23L2/44
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 33/16 Inorganic salts, minerals or trace elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0064 for taking sweat or sebum samples measuring sweat production A61B5/4266
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4261 Evaluating exocrine secretion production A61B3/101 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2800/10 Musculoskeletal or connective tissue disorders
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/6887 from muscle, cartilage or connective tissue
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/84 involving inorganic compounds or pH
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/193333 In aqueous solution

Abstract

Muscle cramps can be reduced or avoided by monitoring the concentration of salt in perspiration to indicate the degree of salt depletion. Based on the degree of salt depletion, a sufficient amount of rehydration beverage is consumed to normalize the salt level.

Claims

1. A product for reducing muscle cramps comprising:

a packaging comprising an orally-consumable composition having at least one salt and a table providing an estimate of a quantity of sweat secreted during physical activity based on a level of sweat and a weight of the user;

a tester associated with the packaging, said tester including a test portion configured to be exposed to body fluid comprising sweat for use in obtaining a result indicative of an estimated degree of salt depletion from a user;

a test chart associated with the packaging configured to be compared with the tester after exposed to the body fluid to provide a test result of an estimated degree of salt loss; and

dosage information regarding the orally-consumable composition configured to allow the user to determine a quantity of the orally-consumable composition to consume, based on the test result for salt replenishment and the estimate of a quantity of sweat secreted during physical activity, sufficient to substantially limit muscle cramping.

2. The product of claim 1, wherein the test chart comprises at least a portion of the dosage information.

3. The product of claim 1, wherein the at least one salt comprises an electrolyte selected from the group consisting of:

sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumable composition is selected from the group consisting of:

a powder, a gel, a solid, a liquid, and combinations thereof.

5. The product of claim 1, further comprising a body fluid collection unit configured to be dermally mounted onto the skin of the test subject during physical exertion, wherein the tester is further configured to be compatible with the sample collection unit.

6. The product of claim 5, wherein the body fluid collection unit comprises:

a first side substantially secured to a second side at a perimeter, such as to create an internal space between first and second sides; and

an opening on the first side from an outside of the collection unit to the internal space, wherein the opening is configured to allow perspiration to flow within the collection unit through the opening during physical exertion.

7. The product of claim 6, wherein the body fluid collection unit further comprises an absorbent layer configured to be in substantial contact with the test subject during physical exertion, wherein the absorbent layer extends through the opening of the collection unit into the internal space, wherein during use, perspiration travels from the test subject through the absorbent layer and into the collection unit.

8. A product for reducing muscle cramps comprising:

a packaging comprising an orally-consumable composition having at least one salt and a table providing an estimate of a quantity of sweat secreted during physical activity based on a level of sweat and a weight of the user;

a tester associated with the packaging, said tester including a test portion configured to be exposed to body fluid for use in obtaining a visual result on the tester portion indicative of an estimated degree of salt depletion from a user;

a test chart associated with the packaging configured to be compared with the tester after being exposed to the body fluid to provide a test result of an estimated degree of salt loss; and

dosage information regarding the orally-consumable composition configured to allow the user to determine a quantity of the orally-consumable composition to consume, based on the test result for salt replenishment and the estimate of a quantity of sweat secreted during physical activity, sufficient to substantially limit muscle cramping.

9. The product of claim 8, wherein the test portion is configured to react with the body fluid to obtain the visual result.