Lateral flow device for attachment to an absorbent article
First Claim
1. An absorbent article for testing a bodily fluid suspected of containing an analyte, the absorbent article comprising:
- an outer cover;
a bodyside liner;
an absorbent core positioned between the outer cover and the bodyside liner; and
an insert for testing the bodily fluid suspected of containing the analyte, the insert comprising a cover, a lateral flow device encased within the cover, and an attachment mechanism for attaching a liquid permeable back coversheet of the insert to the bodyside liner of the absorbent article, wherein the lateral flow device comprises a chromatographic medium that defines a detection zone, the detection zone being configured for exhibiting a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the analyte in the bodily fluid, wherein the lateral flow device is configured to perform a heterogeneous assay in which one species is separated from another species prior to detection, the lateral flow device further including a first absorbent area and a second absorbent area, the second absorbent area being positioned downstream to receive a bodily fluid after flowing through the chromatographic medium.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lateral flow device for testing a bodily fluid, such as urine, blood, mucous, saliva, etc., is provided. The lateral flow device is configured to be attached to an absorbent article via an attachment mechanism located on the lateral flow device or the absorbent article. The lateral flow device includes a chromatographic medium (e.g., porous membrane) that defines a detection zone that provides a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the analyte. The device may also include a control zone that provides a signal indicative of whether a sufficient amount of bodily fluid has been provided and tested. Regardless of its specific configuration, the lateral flow device is configured to be attached onto the absorbent article to provide a user or caregiver with rapid information about a health condition. For example, the device may be attached onto a diaper to provide information about the presence of enzymes or other compounds often encountered with a patient having a urinary tract infection. This information may provide an early warning system to allow the user or caregiver to seek additional testing and/or treatment. Alternatively, semi-quantitative or quantitative results may be derived from the test.
52 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An absorbent article for testing a bodily fluid suspected of containing an analyte, the absorbent article comprising:
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an outer cover; a bodyside liner; an absorbent core positioned between the outer cover and the bodyside liner; and an insert for testing the bodily fluid suspected of containing the analyte, the insert comprising a cover, a lateral flow device encased within the cover, and an attachment mechanism for attaching a liquid permeable back coversheet of the insert to the bodyside liner of the absorbent article, wherein the lateral flow device comprises a chromatographic medium that defines a detection zone, the detection zone being configured for exhibiting a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the analyte in the bodily fluid, wherein the lateral flow device is configured to perform a heterogeneous assay in which one species is separated from another species prior to detection, the lateral flow device further including a first absorbent area and a second absorbent area, the second absorbent area being positioned downstream to receive a bodily fluid after flowing through the chromatographic medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An insert for testing a bodily fluid suspected of containing an analyte, the insert comprising:
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a cover; a lateral flow device encased within the cover, the lateral flow device comprising a chromatographic medium that defines a detection zone, the detection zone being configured for exhibiting a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the analyte in the bodily fluid, wherein the lateral flow device is configured to perform a heterogeneous assay in which one species is separated from another species prior to detection, the lateral flow device further including a first absorbent area and a second absorbent area, the second absorbent area being positioned downstream to receive a bodily fluid after flowing through the chromatographic medium; and an attachment mechanism configured to attach a liquid permeable back coversheet of the insert to a bodyside liner of an absorbent article. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method for detecting the presence or absence of an analyte in urine, the method comprising:
attaching a liquid permeable back coversheet of an insert to a bodyside liner of an absorbent article, the insert comprising a cover and a lateral flow device encased within the cover, wherein the lateral flow device comprises a chromatographic medium that defines a detection zone, the detection zone being configured for exhibiting a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the analyte in the bodily fluid, wherein the liquid permeable back coversheet of the insert or the absorbent article comprises an attachment mechanism, wherein the lateral flow device is configured to perform a heterogeneous assay in which one species is separated from another species prior to detection, the lateral flow device further including a first absorbent area and a second absorbent area, the second absorbent area being positioned downstream to receive a bodily fluid after flowing through the chromatographic medium. - View Dependent Claims (25)
Specification