Screening and monitoring instrument
AssigneeGyrus Medical Limited
InventorsNigel M. Goble, Colin C. O. Goble
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for indicating a predisposition to kidney stone disease in humans, and also dehydration, and for monitoring the efficacy of hydration therapy, comprises a conductivity probe including a tip which can be inserted into urine so that a drop thereof adheres to the tip, and display means for indicating the result as a derived function of conductivity (electrolyte concentration) in terms of urine specific gravity or osmolality. Preferably the probe electrodes are small and are spaced closely together so that the streamlines between the electrode tips are such that maximum current flows substantially within the adherent drop of urine.
Claims10
Apparatus for indicating a predisposition to kidney stone disease or dehydration, the apparatus comprising a power source, probe means for insertion into urine so that a sample thereof attaches to the said probe means, means for measurement of the concentration of electrolytes in the urine sample, and display means for indicating the result as a derived function of said concentration.
A method for the detection of a predisposition to stone formation or other pathophysiological process which relates to hydration levels in humans, or for detecting or monitoring the treatment of dehydration, or for monitoring the efficacy of hydration therapy in humans, the method comprising determining the concentration of electrolytes in a urine sample from the human body and obtaining therefrom a derived function of said concentration in terms of urine specific gravity or osmolality.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.