121 results about "Oral fluid" patented technology

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for stabilizing at least one medical device such as a tracheal or gastric tube entering or covering at least one facial cavity such as the mouth and / or nose, taking advantage of a stabilization stent to secure to a patient's face the tracheal or gastric tube without the need to apply tape to the face, while maintaining visibility of tube markings, preventing kinking of the tube, and keeping the infant's face visible to parents and caregivers. In one form, the invention comprises a transverse stent comprising a superior border opposed to an inferior border, an inner surface and an outer surface. A first facial interface is attached to a first terminal end of the transverse stent, and positioned to adhesively adhere and mechanically clasp to a first side of a patient's face. A second facial interface is attached to a second terminal end of the transverse stent and positioned to adhesively adhere and mechanically clasp to a second side of a patient's face. A docking platform attached to the outer surface of the transverse stent supports the medical device. In a different form, the invention also includes gutters positioned on the inner surface of the respective first and second terminal end approximate to the respective first and second facial interface to channel oral fluids away from the respective first and second facial interface. The outer surface contains channels for containing and directing tubing, and fixaton points for attaching anchoring measures such as chin or head straps. The core of the transverse stent is hollowed to permit gas flow.

A system for delivering fluids which includes a pump (such as a peristaltic pump for example), a pump cartridge, a fluid reservoir, and a variety of fluid dispensers, including oral fluid dispensers. By providing a number of oral fluid dispensers, the one best suited for the needs of a particular application can be selected. The pump cartridge and / or the fluid dispensers may be disposable. The operation of the pump may be controlled based, at least in part, on the type of fluid dispenser being used. Further, a selectable mode can be used to further control the operation of the pump. The amount of fluids delivered over given periods of time may be monitored such that a reminder (such as an audio and / or visual alarm for example) may be provided if too much or too little fluid is delivered (and presumably consumed). The thresholds for such alarm conditions may be set and modified by a user. Further, the state of the fluid delivery system itself, as well as trends in fluid delivery, may be monitored.

The present invention is a device for conveniently collecting and storing liquid samples, as well as applying an aliquot of the sample to a test device, such as a lateral flow immunoassay. The present invention comprises an absorbent swab and a dropper container containing an expression means for expressing the collected sample from the swab. After the collected sample has been expressed into the reservoir of the device, the device is capped. The device can be inverted over a test device, the sides of the reservoir squeezed and an aliquot of the sample applied, in a drop-wise manner, to the sample application well of the test device. The present invention is particularly useful for collecting viscous samples, such as saliva or oral fluid, in a drug of abuse testing setting.

Devices, methods, and systems are provided for testing for or detecting the presence of illegal or prohibited drugs, compounds or metabolites in non-controlled environments for testing using lateral flow drug test strips and a smart phone with digital imaging, data processing, data storage and wireless electronic transmission of resulting data, the system or method to test dry buffer conditioned oral fluids using lateral flow test strips for determination of the presence or absence, or other quantitative or qualitative measurement, of specific and / or selected drugs, compounds or metabolites thereof.

The present invention is directed to devices and methods for determining the presence of analyte in a fluid sample. The devices utilize a sample collection well, an expression plate for expressing sample into the sample collection well, a plunger that drives a lance, and a test compartment containing test elements. The devices also preserve an aliquot of fluid sample in a reservoir for later confirmation testing. When the plunger is lowered into the sample collection well, a lance on the device punctures a frangible material that covers a sample outlet. When the sample outlet is thus opened, fluid sample flows from the sample collection cup to the test compartment. In one embodiment the plunger is lowered as a cap is applied to the device. The devices are useful for detecting the presence of analyte in a wide variety of fluid samples, such as saliva, oral fluids, and more. The invention also provides methods of using the devices, and kits containing the devices.

A device for collecting oral fluid includes a mouthpiece with a fluid inlet connected to a collection chamber. The collection chamber includes a collecting vessel, a venting outlet, and an access port. The venting outlet may be covered by a liquid-impervious or resistant membrane, such as a hydrophobic membrane, and the access port is suitable for removing some or all of the collected fluid. This arrangement allows a saliva donor to continuously spit saliva and blow air into the closed collection chamber, without pressure build-up in the collection chamber, and without the need for the donor to release from the device until the desired oral fluid volume is collected. A valve, including a check valve may be in the saliva flow stream and baffles and structure creating a tortuous path may be utilized to keep saliva away from the membrane.

A lateral flow immunoassay contact chemical test device and method integrates sample collection, prescreen testing, and confirmation sample collecting and storing with a single device and a minimum of steps. While particularly advantageously used with an oral fluid sample absorbed directly from a person's mouth, (in which constant monitoring of a collection process is made possible), the test device may be used with any of a variety of sample fluids. Prescreen testing and confirmation testing are performed on a single sample. Prescreen testing is performed by a lateral flow assay. The sample collection pad is subsequently separated from the wicking path to prevent continued migration from, and backflow into the sample collection pad, so that the confirmation sample is preserved in the sample collection pad. A multitude of antigens can be detected with a single device.

A device for collecting and transporting aqueous fluid from the oral cavity to a lateral chromatographic strip for test is disclosed. The lateral chromatographic strip is placed within and extend along a cavity defined in a housing. At least one inspection site to the lateral chromatographic strip is provided to enable inspection of selected sites on the lateral chromatographic strip for test results. A porous wick material protrudes from the housing to a collection site exterior of the housing at one end and communicates to the lateral chromatographic strip at the other end. The porous wick material has particulate construction, the particles adsorbing aqueous oral fluid to transport the fluid from the mouth to the lateral chromatographic strip without substantial absorption. The particles of the porous wick material are bound together to define a continuous interstitial volume for the flow of oral fluid to be transported and are treated to be hydrophilic to the adsorbed oral fluids. The porous wick material readily releases oral fluid to the lateral chromatographic strip. Prevention of reverse flow to the oral cavity from the lateral chromatographic strip naturally occurs due to the circuitous flow path of the porous wick material. A bite plate is coupled to the housing and insertable between the teeth of the patient to position the porous wick in the oral cavity for collecting the oral fluid. The bite plate is typically held in place by the occlusal force of the teeth, preferably the molars and / or the bicuspids, to position the porous wick in the buccal space. By observing the lateral chromatographic strip while the test device is in the mouth immediate test results are obtained.

A bite block intended primarily for use with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The bite block comprises a unitary fabrication that fits into the mouth between the teeth or dental ridges and has a central passageway large enough to accommodate a gastroscope. The bite block also has a surface which lies exterior to the oral cavity and extends around the outer surface of the lips. The bite block also has a suction device which can be attached to a standard suction machine via flexible tubing or with an intermediary hollow wand. The suction device extends through the bite block into the intra-oral portion thereof where it forms an angle and allows suction drainage of pooled oral fluids from the cheek cavity. The interior tip of the suction device has multiple slit like openings circumferentially arranged to allow suction drainage of oral fluids without becoming occluded by the oral tissues.

An improved pacifier configured to facilitate the oral delivery of fluids, such as formula and breast milk, to infants. The improved pacifier may have a pliable nipple usually coupled to a mouth guard. The nipple typically extends outward from a surface of the mouth guard, such that the nipple can be inserted into an infant's mouth to encourage sucking. According to the principles of the present invention, the nipple has an inner lumen which may removably receive a tube, specifically a feeding or medication tube. The tube will generally serve as a passage way for oral fluids entering the digestive system of the infant. Thus, the improved pacifier allows a caregiver to administer medications or feedings without having to first remove the pacifier from the infant's mouth or else having to abstain from using the pacifier during the administration of medication or feedings altogether.

The inventive subject matter relates to a method for detecting the presence of a biological substance of interest in a test sample of saliva or oral fluid, comprising combining said test sample with a fluorescence-labeled ligand to said biological substance and detecting a change in the fluorescence polarization of said test sample produced by binding of said fluorescence-labeled ligand to said biological substance. In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, said method comprises additional steps for comparing the fluorescence polarization of said test sample with the fluorescence polarization of a control solution. Also provided is a miniaturized, portable apparatus for measuring the fluorescence polarization of a liquid sample.

A delivery system for dispensing sterile liquids into the oral cavity using a novel pre-angled needle guidance assembly attached to a conventional anesthetic needle and conventional anesthetic syringe loaded with a novel cartridge ampule containing a certain liquid solution. This system substantially improves the efficiency of delivering small amounts of sterile fluid to the oral cavity by hypodermic means or by irrigation means using pre-angled needle guidance assemblies to temporarily bend needles or cannulas in order to reach otherwise impossible-to-reach locations within the oral cavity while also providing the ability to dispose of used needles without re-bending and thus complying with federal OSHA, state OSHA, and state regulatory disposal regulations.

An oral fluid collection and transfer device comprises a collection device (10) and a test cartridge (100). The collection device includes a frame or chassis (14), and an absorbing pad (12) for absorbing oral fluid and which is secured around part of the frame with part of the frame protruding from the pad. A collapsible cover (16) covers the absorbing means and has apertures (68) for the ingress of oral fluid into contact with the absorbing pad. A cap (18) covers the part of the frame protruding from the absorbing pad. The cap and the cover latch together to surround the frame and the absorbing pad. The device also includes a fluid adequacy indicator (20) in the form of an electrical circuit with an LED (66) which is completed when the absorbing means has absorbed a predetermined volume of oral fluid.

The inventive subject matter relates to a method for detecting the presence of a biological substance of interest in a test sample of saliva or oral fluid, comprising combining said test sample with a fluorescence-labeled ligand to said biological substance and detecting a change in the fluorescence polarization of said test sample produced by binding of said fluorescence-labeled ligand to said biological substance. In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, said method comprises additional steps for comparing the fluorescence polarization of said test sample with the fluorescence polarization of a control solution. Also provided is a miniaturized, portable apparatus for measuring the fluorescence polarization of a liquid sample.

The present invention discloses homogeneous enzyme immunoassay systems, methods and kits useful for the qualitatively and quantitatively determination of analytes in oral fluid samples. The system involves a competitive enzyme immunoassay employing a conjugate comprising glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and an analyte. The methods and kits are particularly useful in the detection of recent drug use and for fast determination of analytes using auto-analyzers.

An oral care implement includes a collection system for oral fluids. Some embodiments of the implement may include an oral care region having a wearable oral member having a thickness that is reduced during use, a reservoir for retaining an oral fluid, a receiver coupled to the oral member for receiving an oral fluid, and a fluid pathway in communication with the receiver to provide the oral fluid to the reservoir.

The present invention discloses homogeneous enzyme immunoassay systems, methods and kits useful for the qualitatively and quantitatively determination of analytes in oral fluid samples. The system involves a competitive enzyme immunoassay employing a conjugate comprising glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and an analyte. The methods and kits are particularly useful in the detection of recent drug use and for fast determination of analytes using auto-analyzers.

The invention provides competitive immunoassay techniques for high sensitivity detection of delta-9-tetrahydro-cannabinol (cannabis; THC) employing a carrier conjugate of an intermediate in the biosynthesis of cannabis, more particularly 5-pentylresorcinol conjugated to a macromolecular carrier via its hydroxyl groups. By employing such a conjugate with anti-THC antibody in a lateral flow immunochromatography test device convenient on-site testing for low levels of cannabis in liquid samples may be achieved. Such testing is particularly favoured for roadside testing for cannabis in oral fluid samples.

An oral cavity cleaning tool for the purpose of sterilization of the inside of oral cavity is provided that carries out efficient sterilization by using effective chlorine that is obtained through electrolysis. The oral cavity cleaning tool comprises a block handle, a head section extending from the block handle, a pair of electrodes provided on the head section and a power source that supplies electric current to the pair of electrodes, wherein the electrodes are put into contact with an oral fluid that contains chloride ions thereby to cause electric current to flow between the electrodes, so that the chloride ions are transformed into effective chlorine.

The present invention relates to an oral fluid rapid immunochromatography test. More particularly, the present invention relates to an oral fluid collection swab separate from a lateral flow immunochromatography strip for detecting an analyte in oral fluid, consisting essentially of a sample pad, a conjugate pad, a test zone and control zone pad made of at least one matrix material, wherein the conjugate pad lies downstream of the sample pad, and is striped with a conjugate; the test and control zone pad lies downstream of the conjugate pad, wherein the test zone is immobilized with an specific binding reagent that specifically binding to the target analyte; and the control zone, downstream of the test zone, is immobilized with a second capture reagent. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the strip, a lateral flow immunochromatography method for detecting an analyte in oral fluid by using the strip, and kits containing the strip.

The present invention relates to an oral fluid rapid immunochromatography test. More particularly, the present invention relates to an oral fluid collection swab separate from a lateral flow immunochromatography strip for detecting an analyte in oral fluid, consisting essentially of a sample pad, a conjugate pad, a test zone and control zone pad made of at least one matrix material, wherein the conjugate pad lies downstream of the sample pad, and is striped with a conjugate; the test and control zone pad lies downstream of the conjugate pad, wherein the test zone is immobilized with an specific binding reagent that specifically binding to the target analyte; and the control zone, downstream of the test zone, is immobilized with a second capture reagent. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the strip, a lateral flow immunochromatography method for detecting an analyte in oral fluid by using the strip, and kits containing the strip.

An integrated collection and testing device designed to collect oral fluid and immediately begin a testing process, such as for drugs of abuse. The test strips are held within a housing that also doubles as a handle. A collection swab at one end of the handle is made of absorbent material that has the ability to saturate itself when placed in the mouth. A special strip of absorbent material connects the collection swab to the test strips and assists the flow of the oral fluid to the test strips. After collection of the oral fluid, a security cap is placed over the collection swab and locked in place. At the same time, a small amount of oral fluid is collected in a confirmation reservoir that is within the security cap.

An indirect bonding apparatus for orthodontic bonding procedures includes a tray having inner wall sections defining a channel for receiving the patient's dental arch. A number of orthodontic appliances are detachably connected to the tray along the channel, and each appliance includes a base for bonding the appliance to the tooth. The wall sections include at least one groove extending along the base of at least one appliance in order to provide a space between the wall sections and the patient's tooth structure when the tray is received on the patient's dental arch. The space hinders the flow of oral fluids such as saliva in directions toward the base in order to help ensure that the fluids do not adversely affect the strength of the resulting adhesive bond between the appliance and the tooth.

A method for rapid collection and assay of oral fluids is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of: (a) placing an assay device into an oral cavity, (b) removing said assay device from said oral cavity; and (c) determining the presence or absence of at least one analyte. The assay device used in the method comprises: (i) an assay portion housing an immunochrornatographic lateral flow assay strip, the lateral flow assay strip containing at least one reagent selected from an antigen and an antibody that is used to detect one of the presence or absence of at least one analyte in a fluid; (ii) a neck portion extending from the assay portion, the neck portion forming a channel for delivery of fluid to said assay strip and the channel being defined by a first, narrow part proximal to the assay portion and a second part including an opening for receiving the oral fluid, wherein the second part includes a channel width that is substantially wider than the channel width at the narrow end; (iii) a collection strip in fluid communication with the lateral flow assay strip, the collection strip having a first portion disposed within the channel and a second portion protruding outwardly from the neck portion opening; and (iv) a blocking strip coupled between and in flow communication with the lateral flow assay strip and the collection strip.

An apparatus for collecting oral fluid, comprising a vial formed with an inner specimen receptacle for receiving the oral fluid. The open top of the vial is cylindrical and formed with threads on a portion of its outer surface adjacent its open top. The specimen receptacle is disposed within the vial, spaced along its length from the inner surface of the vial and has a closed bottom end and an open top end. The entire periphery of the receptacle top end is sealingly secured to the inner surface of the vial proximal to but spaced from the vial's open threaded end. The bottom end of the vial can be open and flat and extend beyond the closed end of the specimen receptacle to enable the vial to be set on a horizontal surface. A funnel is removably placed in the open top end of the vial and narrows to an inner neck fits within the open top end of the vial. An outer neck depends from the funnel to surround the inner neck and extend beyond the inner neck and beyond the threaded portion of the outer surface of the vial to provide protection for the threaded portion of the vial from contamination from collected oral fluid. A cap for the vial is retained securely inside an enclosure on the underside of a lid that frictionally but removably fits to the top end of the funnel.

A device for collecting and transporting aqueous fluid from the oral cavity to a lateral chromatographic strip for test is disclosed. The lateral chromatographic strip is placed within and extend along a cavity defined in a housing. At least one inspection site to the lateral chromatographic strip is provided to enable inspection of selected sites on the lateral chromatographic strip for test results. A porous wick material protrudes from the housing to a collection site exterior of the housing at one end and communicates to the lateral chromatographic strip at the other end. The porous wick material has particulate construction, the particles adsorbing aqueous oral fluid to transport the fluid from the mouth to the lateral chromatographic strip without substantial absorption. The particles of the porous wick material are bound together to define a continuous interstitial volume for the flow of oral fluid to be transported and are treated to be hydrophilic to the adsorbed oral fluids. The porous wick material readily releases oral fluid to the lateral chromatographic strip. Prevention of reverse flow to the oral cavity from the lateral chromatographic strip naturally occurs due to the circuitous flow path of the porous wick material. A bite plate is coupled to the housing and insertable between the teeth of the patient to position the porous wick in the oral cavity for collecting the oral fluid. The bite plate is typically held in place by the occlusal force of the teeth, preferably the molars and / or the bicuspids, to position the porous wick in the buccal space. By observing the lateral chromatographic strip while the test device is in the mouth immediate test results are obtained.

A device for collecting and transporting aqueous fluid from the oral cavity to a lateral chromatographic strip for test is disclosed. The lateral chromatographic strip is placed within and extend along a cavity defined in a housing. At least one inspection site to the lateral chromatographic strip is provided to enable inspection of selected sites on the lateral chromatographic strip for test results. A porous wick material protrudes from the housing to a collection site exterior of the housing at one end and communicates to the lateral chromatographic strip at the other end. The porous wick material has particulate construction, the particles adsorbing aqueous oral fluid to transport the fluid from the mouth to the lateral chromatographic strip without substantial absorption. The particles of the porous wick material are bound together to define a continuous interstitial volume for the flow of oral fluid to be transported and are treated to be hydrophilic to the adsorbed oral fluids. The porous wick material readily releases oral fluid to the lateral chromatographic strip. Prevention of reverse flow to the oral cavity from the lateral chromatographic strip naturally occurs due to the circuitous flow path of the porous wick material. A bite plate is coupled to the housing and insertable between the teeth of the patient to position the porous wick in the oral cavity for collecting the oral fluid. The bite plate is typically held in place by the occlusal force of the teeth, preferably the molars and / or the bicuspids, to position the porous wick in the buccal space. By observing the lateral chromatographic strip while the test device is in the mouth immediate test results are obtained.

An indirect bonding apparatus for orthodontic bonding procedures includes a tray having inner wall sections defining a channel for receiving the patient's dental arch. A number of orthodontic appliances are detachably connected to the tray along the channel, and each appliance includes a base for bonding the appliance to the tooth. The wall sections include at least one groove extending along the base of at least one appliance in order to provide a space between the wall sections and the patient's tooth structure when the tray is received on the patient's dental arch. The space hinders the flow of oral fluids such as saliva in directions toward the base in order to help ensure that the fluids do not adversely affect the strength of the resulting adhesive bond between the appliance and the tooth.