Abstract:
A detection kit comprises a plurality of swabs, each of the plurality of swabs having the form of a stick, being bundled together in a single test kit for detection of a plurality of chemical compounds. A user opens a detection kit, swabs a surface or surfaces with the bundled sticks, collecting chemical constituents to be tested on detection surfaces of each of the plurality of sticks. Liquids, mists, vapors and powders may be tested in one method, utilizing one or more dry reagents on the detection surfaces. The sticks may comprise a volume of fluid, releasably contained within the sticks, such that when activated, a fluid, such as a reagent or solvent, is wicked by a wicking tip to the detection surface of the stick. For example, a mechanism is provided that is capable of breaking a vial or ampoule containing the fluid, when activated by a twisting motion or compression. Adhesive may be present on one or more of the detection surfaces. A transparent reaction chamber may be provided by a transparent cover or cap.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of PCT/US2011/053925 filed Sep. 29, 2011 which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application no. 61/388,168 filed Sep. 30, 2010 the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field relates to detection kits using reagents for detection of chemical compounds, such as drugs and explosive compounds, for example. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Detection kits are known that use reagents for detecting chemical compounds by changes in contrast, color or the like. A variety of reagents are very well known for detecting one or more chemical compounds or classes of chemical compounds. 
         [0004]    Summary of Invention 
         [0005]    A detection kit comprises a plurality of swabs, each of the plurality of swabs having the form of a stick, being bundled together in a single test kit for detection of a plurality of chemical compounds. For example, five detection sticks are bundled together in a single test kit. A user can open the kit, swab a surface or surfaces with the bundled sticks, collecting chemical constituents to be tested, such as powders, on the detection surfaces of each of the sticks, enclose the bundled sticks into a reaction chamber, and rupture an ampoule in the reaction chamber to release a fluid that initiates a chemical reaction at the detection surface, if compounds to be detected are present on one or more of the detection surfaces. For example, an adhesive is present on one or more of the detection surfaces that allows easy collection of powders from a surface to be swabbed. 
         [0006]    In one example, the detection kit has a transparent reaction chamber or transparent cover, allowing the user of the kit to observe any color change on the detection surfaces. For example, a transparent cover may be placed over the detection surfaces of the bundled sticks, enclosing the bundled sticks within the reaction chamber without obscuring a view of the detection surfaces. In one example, the transparent cover may be locked into place once the bundled sticks are enclosed by the cover inside of the reaction chamber. In an alternative example, a mechanism for rupturing of an ampoule in the reaction chamber locks the transparent cover in place, as well, sealing the bundled sticks within the reaction chamber. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The examples illustrated in the following drawings and the detailed description are examples of the invention for the purpose of illustrating features of the invention to be recited in the claims of an issued patent and are not limiting to the scope of the inventions claimed. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a detection kit including five detection sticks arranged in a detection kit, with a transparent cap removed from the detection kit. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates the same detection kit with the transparent cap enclosing the detection kit, after the rupture of an ampoule, showing a color change indicating the presence of 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates the arrangement of five chambers within a partial view of the body of the detection kit for insertion of the five detection sticks and a central device for breaking of one or more ampoules in each of the detection sticks. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an exploded view of the detection kit, absent the transparent cover, showing a rotary mechanism for breaking of the one or more ampoules in each of the five detection sticks. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an alternative example of a rotary mechanism similar to  FIG. 4A . 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a single detection stick disposed in relation to a rotary mechanism shown in (A) a partial cutaway view and (B) a partially exploded cutaway view, which is similar to the examples in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , except in  FIG. 5  the rotary mechanism is design to rupture two ampoules in each detection stick by forcing both the top and bottom portions of the segmented rupture mechanism to spread outwardly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded view of the detection kit, showing a push button mechanism for breaking of the one or more ampoules in each of the five detection sticks. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates a portion of the detection kit showing the mechanism for rupturing one or more of the ampoules of the detection sticks (two shown) in a first position, 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates an enlarged view of the example in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates the example of  FIGS. 7 and 8  in a second position, after a segmented rupturing device, central to the five ampoules, is expanded, resulting in the rupture of one or more ampoules in the detection sticks (only two shown in this cutaway view). 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates an enlarged view of the example in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates an alterative example of a detection kit in a position causing rupture of one or more ampoules in the detection sticks. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  illustrates a partially-exploded, cross-sectional view of the example illustrated in  FIG. 11 , identifying a housing, one or more detection sticks (only two oppositely disposed detection sticks shown in this cross-sectional view), and an integrally-formed displaceable cap and ampoule crushing mechanism. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  illustrates the example of  FIG. 11  in a first position, prior to rupture of one or more ampoules in the detection sticks. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  illustrates an exploded, perspective view of an example having six detection sticks, two of the six detection sticks having a co-joined wicking swab. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  illustrates another example of an assembled detection kit. 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  illustrates an exploded, perspective view of the example in  FIG. 16 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the exploded view in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembled detection kit in 
           [0028]      FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a detection kit including five detection sticks arranged in a detection kit, with a transparent cap removed from the detection kit. Each of the detection sticks  16 ,  18  may comprise a flexible outer shell  21  containing one or more ampoules that are capable of being ruptured by a rupture mechanism, such as the segmented rupture mechanisms disclosed in the examples, below. When the ampoule or ampoules of the detection sticks are ruptured, the contents are released and are transported to the detection surface of the detection stick by way of wicking, gravity, capillarity or otherwise, such as by way of a wicking tip  23  inserted into the flexible outer shell  21 . The detection surface of each detection stick may have an adhesive applied to the surface, which may be a porous layer  19  that covers the entire detection surface of one of the detection sticks  18  or may be provided in a pattern, such as the dots  17  shown on one detection sticks  16  of the detection kit  1 . A latching mechanism  8  may be provided on the transparent cap  7 , such that the cap becomes fixed on the body  5  of the detection kit  1 , when the cap is snapped onto the body prior to rupturing of the ampoules. The latching mechanism  8  may be disposed on the inner side of the cap  7 , such that it engages a notch  11  formed in the body  5  of the detection kit, for example. One or more such latching mechanisms may be provided on the cap, such that the cap can be initially removed for swabbing of the detection surfaces on a surface to be tested, but when rotated to the locking position with the arrows  9 ,  12  aligned, the cap locks into position on the body. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  illustrates the same detection kit with the transparent cap enclosing the detection kit, after the rupture of an ampoule, showing a color change indicating the presence of a compound to be detected. The arrows  9 ,  12  are aligned and the notch  11  is engaged with the latching mechanism  8 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates the arrangement of five outer flexible shells  21  of five detection sticks within a partial view of the body  5  of a detection kit  1  and a central device for breaking of one or more ampoules in each of the detection sticks. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an exploded view of a detection kit  1 , absent the transparent cover, showing a rotary mechanism for breaking one ampoule in each of the five detection sticks. A rupturing mechanism  40  is illustrated in an exploded view showing a spreading nut  41 , having threaded inner surface  42  of a bore engageable by a threaded surface  43  on the end of a member  44  joined to a handle capable of being used for rotating the shaft. The threaded surface on the end of the member is threadingly engaged in the bore of the spreading nut, when the detection kit is assembled. In one example, the end of the member is engaged in the bore such that it is capable of rotating; moving the nut downward on the shaft, but the end is not disengageable from the nut by rotating in the opposite direction. For example, the shaft is first inserted through the bore of the nut, and the threaded end portion is then joined to the shaft prior to threadingly engaging the threaded end portion in the bore of the spreading nut. The spreading nut  41  is capable of engaging segmented rupture members  47  extending from a base  46 , which may be plate-like. A detection stick retainer  49  may be provided with a hole for fitting over the rupture members  47  and may be shaped to accommodate a plurality of the detection sticks  16 ,  18 . In one example, the detection sticks are adhered to the retainer  48 , such as by gluing or potting the detection sticks within the retainer. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an alternative example of a rotary mechanism similar to  FIG. 4A . In this example, the retainer  49  and base  46  are joined together. For example, the base and retainer may be adhered or integrally formed. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a single detection stick disposed in relation to a rotary mechanism shown in (A) a partial cutaway view and (B) a partially exploded cutaway view, which is similar to the examples in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , except in  FIG. 5  the rotary mechanism is design to rupture two ampoules in each detection stick by forcing both the top  53  and bottom  59  portions of the segmented rupture mechanism  50  to spread outwardly when the handle  45  of the rotary mechanism is rotated. A flexible sleeve  51  is shown in  FIG. 5A , which holds individual segments  54  of the segmented rupture mechanism  50  together. The end  59  of the member attached to the handle  45  is shown extending beyond the nut  41 . The spreading nut  41  spreadingly engages the end  53  of the rupture mechanism  50  when the handle is rotated. Also, the opposite end  59  engages a spreading post  52 , which is fixedly attached to the base  46 . resulting in the spreading of the opposite ends  59  of the segments  54  when the handle  45  is rotated. Thus the ends  53 ,  54  rupture both of the ampoules  55 ,  57  disposed in each of the plurality of detection kits, as shown in this example. The reactants mix and are transported to the wicking end  23  of the detection sticks  18  and through the adhesive layer  19  or to the powder or other compounds stuck to the patterned adhesive, for example. In  FIG. 5B , the spreading post  52  is illustrated in an exploded view, showing the inclined surfaces at one end of the spreading post that engage similarly sloped surfaces of the opposite end  59  of the rupture mechanism  50 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded view of the detection kit, showing a push button plunger  60  for breaking of the one or more ampoules in each of the plurality of detection sticks  18 . In this example, the rupture mechanism and base are integrally formed with the body  5  of the detection kit  1 . The detection sticks are disposed in the body  5  and may be potted or otherwise fixed in the body. The plunger  60  may be integrally formed with a push button  61  on one end of a shaft  62  and a retention tip  64  on an opposite end of the shaft of the plunger  60 . In  FIG. 7 , the retention end  64  is shown engaged with the rupture end  71  of the rupture mechanism  70 . which is integrally formed with the body  5  of the detection kit  1 . An expanding surface  63  is capable of spreading the rupture ends  71  of the segmented rupture mechanism  71 , as illustrated in the drawing of  FIG. 9 . The retention end  64  is illustrated in a partial cross sectional, cutaway view in  FIG. 8 . In one example, the retention end is inserted through the rupture ends  71  prior to inserting disposing the plurality of detection sticks within the body of the kit. Then, the detection kits are disposed in the body of the kit, positively locking the plunger  60  in the kit. When the plunger is pressed, such as by the user&#39;s thumb, toward the body  5  of the kit, the inclined spreading surface  63  of the plunger engages the rupture ends  71  of the segmented rupture mechanism  70 , forcing the ends  71  into contact with the ampoules and rupturing the ampoules, releasing the contents, such as reagents for detecting chemical compounds. In one example, a Griess reagent is used for detecting nitrates. In another example, 4-(dimethylamino)cinnamaldehyde (DMAC) is used for detecting urea nitrate. In yet another example, a molybdate reagent is used for phosphate detection. In still another example, Nessler reagent is used for the detection of ammonium nitrate or an ammonium ion thereof. For example, a combination of one or more of the foregoing may be used in a detection kit described in the examples.  FIG. 10  shows a detailed view of the rupture ends  71  superimposed over the ampoules  55 , showing that the ampoules would be ruptured when the plunger  60  is pressed. 
         [0036]      FIG. 11  illustrates another example of a detection kit comprising a plurality of detection sticks. In this example, an integrated cap and rupture mechanism  107  fits conformingly over a housing  105  that contains the plurality of detection sticks. The cap  107  may be transparent to allow the visual detection of a color change on the end of one or more of the plurality of detection sticks. Two holes  106 ,  109  in the cap  107  may be engaged by a raised bump  108  disposed on a surface of the housing  105 , providing a first position for the cap  107  prior to rupture of any ampoules of the detection sticks and a second position after compression of the cap  107  onto the housing  105  between a thumb and a finger of a user to cause the ampoules to rupture. As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 12 , an ampoule  121  within a flexible sleeve  21  is capable of being ruptured by a rupture mechanism  140  arranged such that the rupture mechanism  140  squeezes each of a plurality of ampoules  121  between the inner wall of the housing  105  and the rupture mechanism  140 , when the cap  107  is compressively engaged on the housing  105 , moving the cap  107  from a first position illustrated in  FIG. 14  to the rupture position illustrated in  FIG. 12 . An ampoule releases one or more fluids, such as a reagent or solvent or both a reagent and solvent, that may be wicked by the wicking tip  23  to a porous adhesive layer  19  or to adhesive dots  17 , for example. The adhesive layer or dots may be disposed on a surface of the wicking tip  23 , with “on” being defined broadly to mean in contact with a surface of the wicking tip  23  and may be adhesively adhered to the surface. Preferably, the adhesive layer and dots are tacky and capture powders, particles and other contaminants located on a surface swabbed by the plurality of wicking tips  23 . Each ampoule may have one or more volumes for containing the one or more fluids, which may be either premixed or separated, such as in breakable ampoules. 
         [0037]    For example, separate detector sticks  16 ,  18 ,  118  are illustrated in  FIG. 13 , each having a single, separate ampoule  121 , for example. Alternatively, more than one ampoule may be coupled together to contain more than one fluid separated from the other. One detector stick  18  in the partial cross-sectional view of  FIG. 13  is illustrated disposed partially obscured behind a cross-sectional view of a detector stick  16 , for example, in an arrangement accommodating six detector sticks. The cap  107  comprises an integrated rupture mechanism  140  and dividers  141  dividing the wicking tip  23  of one detector stick  16  from the wicking tip  23  of the adjacent detector stick  18 , for example. The integrated dividers  141  may prevent mixing of fluids from one ruptured ampoule  121  with a neighboring ruptured ampoule in the adjacent detector stick  18 . 
         [0038]    The illustration of  FIG. 15  shows an arrangement of six detector sticks, as arranged in a single housing  105 , for example. A slot  111  may be aligned with protrusion on the cap  107 , such that the cap  107  may only be aligned in one way. For example, this may be necessary if a pair of adjacent detector sticks  116  have wicking tips  123  joined together. For example, two different fluids may be disposed in two different ampoules, which may mix when wicked by the wicking tip  123  to the co-joined detection surface of the pair of adjacent detector sticks  116 . Two or more detector sticks may be joined together for presenting a plurality of reagents and/or solvents as necessary to induce a visual change on the surface of the detector sticks, when a target chemical is present at the surface due to swabbing of the surface of the wicking tip on a contaminated surface, for example. 
         [0039]    Target compounds may include drugs, explosives or precursors of compounds that may be combined, such as urea nitrate, ammonium nitrate, other nitrates, urea, phosphate fertilizers and the like. The housing may be made of a low density polyethylene, may be opaque and/or may have instructions. An instruction sheet may include a peel-off label for annotation of date, time, location, conditions and the like. The cap may be a transparent plastic material, such as a polycarbonate, acrylic, urethane or the like, such that the detection surfaces of the detector sticks are visible through the cap. The housing may have color indicators identified in relation to the physical location of detection surfaces of the detector sticks, such that the user can quickly compare the detection surface to the color indicator to determine if there is a positive indication for the presence of one of the target compounds, for example. The detection surfaces may have an adhesive, either a porous layer or dots of adhesive, and/or a solid or gel reagent immobilized on the detection surface. The solid or gel reagent may be capable of directly detecting liquid, mist or vapor phase compounds. A solvent, such as alcohol, water or the like, or a liquid reagent could be released by the rupture of a reservoir in the detection sticks, for example, which could lead to a reaction at the detection surface by the solid phase reagent and a target compound or a liquid phase reagent and a target compound or a plurality of reagents, solid and/or liquid, and one or more target compounds, for example. 
         [0040]      FIG. 16  illustrates yet another example, using a push rod  201  to activate rupture of a rupture mechanism  240 , for example.  FIG. 17  illustrates an exploded, perspective view of a detector kit  200  showing the push rod  201  insertable into a rupture mechanism  240  integrally molded with the housing  205 . Six detector sticks are arranged circumferentially within the housing  205  around the rupture mechanism  240 . A cap  207  includes an ergonomically-shaped compression surface  270  shaped to accommodate a thumb, finger or fingers within a concave cavity. The cap  207  may be transparent to allow visual observation of a change in color or other indication of the presence or absence of a particular contaminant, such as based on a chemical reaction between a target composition and a reagent, solvent or the like provided by the detector kit  200 . The push rod  201  may have an ergonomical compression surface  202 , such as the concave shape illustrated in  FIG. 18 , for example. A bulbous tip  210  engages a constriction  244  of the rupture mechanism  201 , as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , retaining the push rod  201  within the detector  200 , during storage and transport, for example. The rupture mechanism  240  comprises a plurality of fingers  242  preferably numbered and arranged to contact each of a plurality of the detector sticks when plunged into the detector  200  under compression by a user of the kit. For example, a slit  241  may separate each of the plurality of fingers  242 , allowing the flexibility of the fingers to bend radially outwardly. When the push rod  201  is plunged by compression of the concave surface  270  of the push rod  201  toward the concave surface  270  of the cap  207 , such as by compressing between a thumb and one or more fingers of a user&#39;s hand, then a conically-shaped portion  211  of the push rod  201  engages the constriction  244  of the rupture mechanism  240  forcing the fingers  242  of the rupture mechanism  240  radially outward, contacting and rupturing each of the plurality of ampoules  121  in each of the detector sticks  118 , for example. 
         [0041]    As in the previous examples, simultaneous rupturing of each of the ampoules releases a fluid that is wicked by the wicking tips  23  to the detection surfaces that are swabbed on or across surfaces that may have the presence of one or more target compositions that are to be detected, if present. The cap  207  may include dividers, as in the other examples, which may prevent cross-contamination of fluids from one wicking tip  23  to another. Alternatively, two or more wicking tips may be joined to encourage the transfer of fluid from one wicking tip to the other. 
         [0042]    The claims are not limited to the examples, and features of the examples may be combined or modified by a person having ordinary skill in the art, based on this description and the drawings provided. The examples are provided to show various arrangements and features, and the arrangement and features in one example may be combined with the arrangement and features of other examples. For example, the ergonomically designed cap and housing of one example may be implemented in the other examples without undue experimentation, based on teachings provided in this disclosure.