Patent ID: 11959928
Assignee: TREARS LTD.
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  A | IPC A  G

Claim 0:
1. A method for measuring glucose and cortisol levels in earwax comprising the steps of:
extracting earwax samples from the ear;
preparing the extracted earwax samples for purposes of measuring cortisol and glucose levels in the samples;
measuring cortisol and glucose levels in the extracted earwax samples; wherein:
the extraction of at least one earwax sample is carried out by means of an extraction device comprising:
a handle having a first end and a second end,
a sponge head comprising a base and a longitudinally extending elongated member directly depending from an upper portion of the base, wherein a lower portion of the base is removably coupled to the second end of the handle and wherein the elongated member has a star shaped cross section, and
an elongated sponge having a centrally located longitudinal receiving area in which the elongated member of the base is removably received, and
wherein the extracted earwax sample is obtained by inserting the elongated sponge of the extraction device into the ear canal,
wherein the preparation of the extracted earwax sample is carried out by:
adding a Phosphate Buffered Saline buffer solution to a tube;
separating the sponge from the sponge head and introducing it into the tube,
after the sponge has absorbed the entire solution, repeatedly squeezing the sponge to expel the absorbed buffer solution and then allowing the sponge to reabsorb the expelled buffer solution,
squeezing the sponge dry and removing it from the tube;
drying the resulting solution;
resuspending the resulting content in ultrapure water; and
storing the resulting solution until use, and

wherein the cortisol levels are measured by means of ELISA techniques and the glucose levels are measured by using a kit for determining glucose levels from the dissolved earwax solution.