Patent ID: 6074606
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An improved one-step test device having a test mode, said device having a cup for receipt of a fluid specimen to be tested and a cover lid having a top and bottom, said cover lid to be attached to said cup in a fluid-tight relationship, comprising:a reagent test strip chamber defined in said top of said cover lid, said reagent test strip chamber having a floor and first and second sides formed from said cover lid;a fluid receipt chamber having a bottom formed from said cover lid;a fluid channel formed in said cover lid, said cover lid including first and second fluid channel walls;a fluid contact chamber formed in said cover lid including a wall in said cover lid interconnected with said first and second fluid channels walls;an absorbent pad positioned in said fluid channel between said first and second fluid channel walls, said absorbent pad drawing fluid therethrough, a portion of said absorbent pad extending into said fluid contact chamber;a reagent test strip positioned in said reagent test strip chamber, said reagent test strip having a first end having a test strip absorbent pad thereon, a second end having a second test strip absorbent pad thereon, a top, sides, and a color change testing area disposed between said first and second ends, said first end of said reagent test strip disposed in said fluid contact chamber with said first test strip absorbent pad in contact with said portion of said absorbent pad in said fluid contact chamber;means to maintain contact between said absorbent pad and said first test strip absorbent pad;an actuation cover having a top and a bottom, said actuation cover covering said reagent test strip chamber, said fluid channel, said fluid contact chamber and said fluid receipt chamber, said actuation cover further including downwardly extending side walls disposed around said color change testing area of said reagent test strip, said side walls for sandwiching said reagent test strip between said side walls and said floor of said reagent test strip chamber and helping to retain said reagent test strip in said reagent test strip chamber and further helping to prevent the escape of any fluid therefrom;an actuation button formed in said actuation cover disposed over said fluid receipt chamber;means to prevent said fluid from passing from said fluid contact chamber into said reagent test strip chamber, said means allowing for said first end of said reagent test strip to extend from said reagent test strip chamber and to protrude into said fluid contact chamber, said means comprising:first and second slots defined, respectively, in said first and second sides of said reagent test strip chamber;a wall having a first and second end, said wall disposed at said bottom of said actuation cover; andfirst and second rib members disposed at said bottom of said actuation cover extending beyond said first and second ends of said wall, said first and second rib members positioned to mate, respectively, into said first and second slots, said wall and rib members to surround the top and sides of said reagent test strip in a fluid-tight relationship, allowing said first end of said reagent test strip to be positioned in said fluid contact chamber while the balance of said reagent test strip is protected from contact with said fluid;an aperture defined in said cover lid in the bottom of said fluid receipt chamber;a valve disposed in said aperture, said valve for opening and closing said aperture, respectively, by the depression and subsequent release of said actuation button;said test device, when said cover lid is positioned on a fluid-filled cup and said cup is inverted, allowing fluid into said fluid receipt chamber through said aperture upon depressing and stopping the flow of fluid upon releasing said actuation button, said test device when said cup is turned upright, allowing said fluid to drain from said fluid receipt chamber down said fluid channel through said absorbent pad and into said fluid contact chamber to come in contact with said first test strip absorbent pad at said first end of said reagent test strip to cause said fluid to be carried along said reagent test strip to said color change testing area; anda window defined in said actuation cover within said side walls, said window disposed above said color change testing area, through which window the test results can be viewed.