US4943416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic urinalysis system
Assignee: MARUKOMU TOKYO JAPAN KK
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Filing: 1987-09-23
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Granted: 1990-07-24
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Expires: 2007-09-23
Abstract
Abstract An automatic urinalysis system which can be readily installed at an excretion site such as a toilet and by which means a subject itself can test its urine easily at any time and can obtain results of such test. The system comprises a sample collecting means for collecting a sample of urine within a stool or the like at an excretion site, a guiding means for introducing the collected urine sample into a testing area within a body of the system, a urine testing element located within the system body, a contacting means for automatically contacting the urine testing element with the urine sample in the testing area, a urine testing means for automatically testing the urine testing element contacted with the urine sample by the contacting means, a display means for displaying test data from the urine testing means, and a discharging means for discharging the urine sample into the stool after the urine sample has been contacted by the urine testing element.
Inventors
- 👤 Makoto Kikuchi
- 👤 Manabu Harada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/00029; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/487; G01N33/493; G01N2035/00039; G01N2035/00089; G01N2035/00099; G01N2035/00108; G01N2035/00118; G01N2035/00346; G01N2035/00445; G01N2035/00455; G01N35/10; G01N35/1009; G01N2035/1025; G01N35/1095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
An automatic urinalysis system for use at an excretion site by a subject who desires to have their urine analyzed, comprising: a sample collecting means for collecting a sample of urine directly from the subject during urination at an excretion site at which said automatic urinalysis system is installed and for taking the collected urine sample into said automatic urinalysis system; a guiding means for receiving the urine sample directly from said sample collecting means and for introducing the urine sample into a testing area within a body of said automatic urinalysis system; a urine testing element located within said body; a contacting means for automatically contacting said urine testing element with the urine sample in the testing area; a urine testing element measuring means for automatically measuring at least one parameter of said urine testing element contacted with the urine sample by said contacting means; a display means for displaying test data from said urine testing element measuring means; and a discharging means for discharging the urine sample to a discharge location after the urine sample has been contacted by said urine testing element; said sample collecting means being provided within a urinal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
An automatic urinalysis system for use at an excretion site by a subject who desires to have their urine analyzed, comprising: a sample collecting means for collecting a sample of urine directly from the subject during urination at an excretion site at which said automatic urinalysis system is installed and for taking the collected urine sample into said automatic urinalysis system; a guiding means for receiving the urine sample directly from said sample collecting means and for introducing the urine sample into a testing area within a body of said automatic urinalysis system; a urine testing element located within said body; a contacting means for automatically contacting said urine testing element with the urine sample in the testing area; a urine testing element measuring means for automatically measuring at least one parameter of said urine testing element contacted with the urine sample by said contacting means; a display means for displaying test data from said urine testing element measuring means; and a discharging means for discharging the urine sample to a discharge location after the urine sample has been contacted by said urine testing element; said sample collecting means being provided within a urinal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sample collecting means comprises a cup-shaped urine receiving vessel having an opening and which is arranged for movement between operative and inoperative conditions such that when said vessel is in said inoperative condition, said opening thereof is directed downwardly and said vessel is turned to a position in which said opening thereof is directed upwardly in said operation condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said urine receiving vessel is connected to be driven by a rotary motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said urine receiving vessel is driven by way of a wire connected to said motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said wire is located in a duct including a pipe for sucking a sample of urine to the testing area therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claims in claim 1, wherein a plurality of such urine testing elements are located within said body of said automatic urinalysis system, and said contacting means includes means for taking out said urine testing element one by one from within said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for taking out said urine testing elements includes a plunger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said urine testing elements are located in a urine testing element containing box within said body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said urine testing element containing box is controlled in temperature and humidity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contacting means includes a urine reservoir located in the testing area, and means for feeding said urine testing element to immerse the same into the urine sample in said urine reservoir.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising means for washing or sterilizing said urine reservoir.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contacting means includes means for dropping the urine sample to said urine testing element fed to the testing area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said urine testing element measuring means includes an absorption photometer for measuring a changed color tone density of said urine testing element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said urine testing element is changed in color by a component of the urine sample as said urine testing element is contacted by the urine sample.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said urine testing element is urine testing paper.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 15, wherein a plurality of such urine testing elements are located one on another within a urine testing element containing box within said body of said automatic urinalysis system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contacting means includes a feeding means for feeding said urine testing element to the testing area, said feeding means including a movable urine testing element receiving table and means for attracting and holding said urine testing element to said urine testing element receiving table.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said means for attracting and holding includes a mechanism for discharging urine or a mixture containing urine which sticks to said urine testing element receiving table outwardly of said means for attracting and holding.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said means for attracting and holding said urine testing element to said urine testing element receiving table includes a tube extending between said urine testing element receiving table and said means for attracting and holding said urine testing element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
77 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said tube has a valve interposed therein for allowing compressed air to be supplied therethrough in order to remove said urine testing element after a test has been completed using said urine testing element in addition to a valve which is used when said urine testing element is to be attracted and held to said urine testing element receiving table by said means for attracting and holding.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
An automatic urinalysis system as claimed in claim 20, wherein each of said valves is a magnet valve.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-07-23 | 1994-01-22 | 1994-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-23 | 1998-01-22 | 1998-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-23 | 2002-01-22 | 2002-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |