Assaying device and method for in field urinalysis

Abstract

An assay device for in field urine analysis including a container having an opening for collecting a urine sample, a cover for sealing the opening of the container and an assay assembly provided in the container for chemically analyzing the urine sample. The assay assembly comprises a liquid impermeable backing, a wicking material provided on a rear surface of the backing, at least one assay strip provided on a front surface of the backing and adjacent a top edge of the backing in contact with the wicking material, a front cover provided on the front surface of the backing for sealing the assay strip to the backing at a bottom and two sides of the assay strip and a rear cover provided on the rear surface of the backing for together with the front cover sealing said wicking material and the assay strip adjacent the top edge and two sides of said wicking material.

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         5 . An assaying device comprising: 
 a container having a base, an opening and a top for closing the opening;    the container including a urine holding portion, wherein a urine sample is contained when the container is in use;    a wicking having a lower portion proximal to the urine holding portion of the container and an upper portion removed from the urine holding portion of the container;    at least one assay strip contacting the wicking in proximity of the upper portion of the wicking, to allow analysis of the urine sample through contact of the urine with the one assay strip; and    wherein, in use, the urine is transmitted from the upper portion of the wicking to the assay strip and is transmitted along the assay strip, the transmissions occurring essentially without a contribution of gravity.    
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein, in use, the urine contacts at least one assay strip while moving along the wicking in an upward direction, the upward direction being defined by a direction essentially opposite to gravity.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein a path of the urine to the strip has a first portion where the urine moves along the wicking in the upward direction, and a second portion where the urine reaches the assay strip and moves in the upward direction along the assay strip.  
     
     
         8 . An assaying device for in-field urine analysis comprising: 
 a container having an opening for collecting a urine sample and a cover for sealing the opening of the container, the container further having at least one transparent surface;    an assay assembly within the container for chemically analyzing the urine sample, the assay assembly having at least one assay strip and a wicking, the assay strip being in liquid transmittable contact with the wicking, the wicking being for communication with urine in the container such that, in use, when urine is present in the container the urine wicks through the wicking to the assay strip essentially without a contribution of gravity; and    wherein the assay strip is adjacent to the transparent surface of the container to be readable through the container transparent surface.    
     
     
         9 . A device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the assembly further comprise a layer including slots spaced apart in a front face of the layer, the slots being directed longitudinally and being for accommodating sides of an assay strip in adjacency with the transparent surface of the container.  
     
     
         10 . An assaying device as claimed in  claim 8 , including a series of assay strips in parallel relationship on the assay assembly.  
     
     
         11 . An assaying device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the wicking material acts to draw urine upwardly to the assay strip.  
     
     
         12 . An assaying device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the assay assembly is substantially the same height as the height of the container.  
     
     
         13 . An assaying device as claimed in  claim 8 , where the assay assembly conforms to transparent surface of the container.  
     
     
         14 . An assaying device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the container includes an essentially circular portion for receiving a screw-on cap to close the circular portion.  
     
     
         15 . An assay device for analyzing urine through contact of the urine with an assay strip comprising: 
 a container having a base and an opening, the container including a urine holding portion, wherein a urine sample is held when the container is in use;    a wicking having a lower portion proximal to the urine holding portion of the container and an upper portion removed from the lower portion of the wicking, the wicking contacting the assay strip in proximity of the upper portion of the wicking; and    the urine, in use, being transmitted through the wicking, the urine being transmitted essentially without a contribution of gravity.    
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  including having the assay strip connected to the wicking proximal the upper portion of the wicking.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the urine is transmitted through the wicking in an upward direction, the upward direction being contrary to gravity.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the urine is transmitted through the strip in an upward direction, the upward direction being contrary to gravity.  
     
     
         19 . An assay device for analyzing urine through contact of the urine with an assay strip comprising: 
 a container having a base and an opening, the container including a urine holding portion, wherein a urine sample is held when the container is in use;    a wicking having a lower portion proximal to the urine holding portion of the container and an upper portion removed from the lower portion of the wicking, the wicking contacting the assay strip in proximity of the upper portion of the wicking; and    the urine, in use, being transmitted from the wicking to the strip essentially without a contribution of gravity.