Devices and methods for collecting and analyzing fluid samples from the oral cavity

• US 9,308,064 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2011
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Binner, Curt, Fougere, Richard J., Fusi, Robert W. II, McDonough, Justin E., Nicholson Tomishima, Karin Lynne, Reddy, Megha
• Primary Examiner(s): Towa, Rene
• Assistant Examiner(s): ABOUELELA, MAY A
• Application Number:
  US13/188,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20120021375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,727 Days
• Field of Search: 600/573, 600/532, 600/529, 600/590, 433/89, 433/80
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0087 Breath samples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150045 for blood from vagina, placenta, colon or mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/0205 Container filling apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/0208 combined with means providing suction A61C17/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/0211 specially adapted for rinsing the teeth of at least one jaw simultaneously A61C17/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/028 with intermittent liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/06 Saliva removers; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/065 characterised by provisions for processing the collected matter, e.g. for separating solids or air

Abstract

Devices for collecting a fluid sample from the oral cavity, the device including a mouthpiece that includes a chamber, the chamber including front and rear inner walls; and means for collecting the fluid sample from the oral cavity; and methods of collecting and analyzing samples of fluid from the oral cavity, including the steps of placing the device in the oral cavity, collecting the fluid sample and conducting an analysis of the fluid sample.

Claims

1. A method for collecting and analyzing a sample of a fluid from the oral cavity of a mammal, said method comprising:

(a) positioning in said oral cavity a mouthpiece of a device comprising said mouthpiece, said mouthpiece comprising;

(i) a chamber defined by front and rear inner walls and a base inner wall of said mouthpiece, said base wall extending between said front and rear inner walls, said front and rear inner walls of said chamber comprising a plurality of openings;

(ii) a first manifold for containing a first portion of liquid and providing said first portion to said chamber through said openings of said front inner wall;

(iii) a second manifold for containing a second portion of liquid and providing said second portion to said chamber through said openings of said rear inner wall;

(iv) a first port for conveying said first portion of liquid to and from said first manifold;

(v) a second port for conveying said second portion of liquid to and from said second manifold;

(b) collecting a sample of a fluid comprising oral cavity air from said chamber, said collecting step comprising applying vacuum to said oral cavity to draw said oral cavity air from said oral cavity into the device; and

(c) conducting an analysis of said oral cavity air.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said collecting step comprises drawing said oral cavity air from said oral cavity through at least one of said plurality of openings in said front inner wall.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said collecting step comprises drawing said oral cavity air from said oral cavity through at least one of said plurality of openings in said rear inner wall.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said mouthpiece further comprises a dedicated manifold for collecting oral cavity air, and said collecting step comprises drawing said oral cavity air from said oral cavity into said dedicated manifold through an orifice.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein analysis of said oral cavity air comprises detecting volatile sulfur compounds using a method selected from the group consisting of gas chromatography and zinc oxide semiconductor sensors.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said conducting step comprises conducting said analysis of said oral cavity air within said device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said device comprises a pump for applying vacuum to said oral cavity.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said device is a handheld device comprising a handpiece, said handpiece housing a pump for applying vacuum to said oral cavity and having said mouthpiece attached thereto.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said device further comprises a base station into which the handpiece may be placed to dock the handpiece.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said conducting step comprises conducting said analysis of said fluid sample within said base station.