Screening device for analysis of bodily fluids

Abstract

A screening device for testing bodily fluids for the presence of certain constituents. The device can include a planar front face through which all of the test strips are viewed. The device also includes an inclined surface that directs the fluid under test to test strips with more efficiency, and partitions the fluid that is directed to a given test strip to better assure that the test strip receives an adequate amount of bodily fluid for a valid analysis. In one embodiment, the device includes a three-dimensional gasket that creates a pressurized environment upon insertion of the sampling stem for improved diffusion of the bodily fluid into the test strips.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A device for testing saliva, the device comprising:
 a cup comprising a planar forward wall connecting to a curved rearward wall defining a D-shaped opening at a top of the cup when viewed from above, an inclined plate traversing between the planar forward wall and the curved rearward wall and defining a cavity with a single lowermost extremity positioned at the planar front wall;   a planar face positioned in the cavity adjacent the planar forward wall of said cup, a plurality of test strips positioned between the planar face and the forward wall;   a cap portion positioned at the opening of the cup, the cap portion having through passage structure comprising a hollow tube, the hollow tube extending toward the inclined plate;   a sampling stem having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including a sampling swab for absorbing saliva, the sampling stem insertable into the through passage structure.   
     
     
         24 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 23 , wherein the planar face and the cap portion are part of a holder and the planar face extends from the cap portion. 
     
     
         25 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 23  wherein the sampling stem further comprises a female threaded portion to cooperate with a male threaded portion on the cap portion. 
     
     
         26 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 25  wherein the sampling stem and the cap portion have a ratchet and pawl mechanism for locking the sampling stem on the cap portion. 
     
     
         27 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 23  wherein the inclined plate has a pedestal portion for contacting the sampling swab. 
     
     
         28 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 24  further comprising a three dimension gasket within said cavity of said cup between said holder and the inclined plate. 
     
     
         29 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 23  wherein planar face including a plurality of riblets, said plurality of riblets defining a plurality of channel extensions on said inner face of said planar face for receiving the test strips 
     
     
         30 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 23 , wherein the inclined plate has a substantially planar upwardly facing surface. 
     
     
         31 . A device for testing saliva, the device comprising:
 a cup comprising a planar forward wall connecting to a curved rearward wall defining a D-shaped opening at a top of the cup when viewed from above, an inclined plate traversing between the planar forward wall and the curved rearward wall and defining a cavity having a single lowermost extremity along the planar front wall, the inclined plate and planar forward wall defining an acute angle;   a holder having a cap portion and a planar face, the cap portion positioned at the opening of the cup, the cap portion having through passage structure comprising a hollow tube, the hollow tube extending toward the inclined plate; the planar face positioned in the cavity adjacent the planar forward wall of said cup, a plurality of test strips positioned between the planar face and the forward wall;   a sampling stem having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including a sampling swab for absorbing saliva, the sampling stem insertable into the through passage structure for squeezing out the saliva.   
     
     
         32 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 31  wherein the sampling stem further comprises a female threaded portion to cooperate with a male threaded portion on the cap portion. 
     
     
         33 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 32  wherein the sampling stem and the cap portion have a ratchet and pawl mechanism for locking the sampling stem on the cap portion. 
     
     
         34 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 31  wherein the inclined plate has a pedestal portion for contacting the sampling swab. 
     
     
         35 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 31  further comprising a three dimension gasket within said cavity of said cup between said holder and the inclined plate. 
     
     
         36 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 31  wherein planar face including a plurality of riblets, said plurality of riblets defining a plurality of channel extensions on said inner face of said planar face for receiving the test strips 
     
     
         37 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 31 , wherein the inclined plate has a substantially planar upwardly facing surface. 
     
     
         38 . A device for testing saliva, the device comprising:
 a cup comprising a planar forward wall connecting to a curved rearward wall defining a D-shaped opening at a top of the cup when viewed from above, a containment bottom that includes an inclined surface that intersects the planar forward wall and the curved rearward wall and defining a cavity with a single lowermost extremity of the cavity at the juncture line of the inclined surface and the planar forward wall;   a planar face positioned in the cavity adjacent the planar forward wall of said cup, a plurality of test strips positioned between the planar face and the forward wall;   a cap portion positioned at the opening of the cup, the cap portion having through passage structure comprising a hollow tube, the hollow tube extending toward the inclined plate;   a sampling stem having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including a sampling swab for absorbing saliva, the sampling stem insertable into the through passage structure and being attachable to the cap portion.   
     
     
         39 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 38 , wherein the cup has a thinned region for puncturing with a syringe, the thinned region positioned proximate the containment bottom. 
     
     
         40 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 38 , wherein the planar face and the cap portion are part of a holder and the planar face extends from the cap portion. 
     
     
         41 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 38  wherein the sampling stem further comprises a female threaded portion to cooperate with a male threaded portion on the cap portion. 
     
     
         42 . The device for testing saliva of  claim 41  wherein the inclined surface has a pedestal portion for contacting the sampling swab.