US 12,111,309 B2
Point of care devices and methods for detecting infection status of a wound
Manjunath L. Penagondla, Warrington (GB); Daniel G. Metcalf, Greater Manchester (GB); and Philip G. Bowler, Warrington (GB)
Assigned to CONVATEC LIMITED, Flintshire (GB)
Filed by ConvaTec Limited, Flintshire (GB)
Filed on Dec. 21, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/128,938.
Application 17/128,938 is a continuation of application No. PCT/GB2020/053316, filed on Dec. 21, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/952,833, filed on Dec. 23, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0190767 A1, Jun. 24, 2021
Int. Cl. G01N 33/52 (2006.01); G01N 1/02 (2006.01); G01N 27/327 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 33/525 (2013.01) [G01N 1/02 (2013.01); G01N 27/3275 (2013.01); G01N 2001/028 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for detecting an infection in a wound, comprising:
a) an indicator unit; wherein the indicator unit comprises:
i. a sensor tube having an open proximal end; and
ii. a sensor positioned in the sensor tube; and
b) a swab unit, wherein the swab unit comprises:
i. a swab shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
ii. a swab tip positioned at the distal end of the swab shaft; and
iii. a swab handle connected to the swab shaft at the proximal end of the swab shaft, the swab handle being configured to sealingly engage the open proximal end of the sensor tube, the swab handle comprising (i) a retaining element that defines a cavity and attaches to the sensor tube, (ii) a moveable element retained within the cavity and moveable relative to the retaining element, the moveable element comprising a liquid chamber and a liquid chamber seal that retains liquid within the liquid chamber, and (iii) a piercing member fixedly attached to the retaining element, movement of the moveable element from a proximal position to a distal position causing the piercing member to pierce the liquid chamber seal to release the liquid into the sensor tube.