Highly sensitive, practical, widely available diagnostic kit for fungal skin infections

Abstract

A fungal skin infection diagnostic kit is disclosed with a plurality of components stored within a box. The box can be provided with a colorful, attractive front graphic and may include a photo of a working pathologist, etc. The box can be provided with a hole allowing for easy hanging and display of the product. The kit is used for transferring one or more skin lesions to a remote location, such as a diagnostic lab. The kit can include a plastic diagnostic slide with attached self-adhesive tape, a plastic specimen bag where the slide with attached skin lesion can be placed, medical information and use instructions, and a return envelope. The specimen bag is preferably provided with a zip-type closing mechanism and a bar code with corresponding case number. The return envelope is preferably prepaid. The kit can also include a data form to be filled out by the user for his or her personal information.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A kit for transferring superficial skin lesions to a remote location for diagnostic testing for fungal skin infections, said kit comprising: 
 a specimen bag defining a receiving area for storage of the skin lesion to be analyzed; and    an envelope containing the address of the remote location, said specimen bag having said skin lesion stored within said receiving area disposed within said envelope when mailing said envelope to the remote location.    
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein said envelope is a return, prepaid envelope.  
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1  further including medical information regarding fungal skin infections and use instructions.  
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1  further including means for storing said envelope and said specimen bag prior to use.  
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 4  wherein said means for storing is a box-like member; wherein said envelope and said specimen bag contained within said box-like member prior to use.  
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 4  further including means for non-intrusive removal of a superficial skin lesion from an individual's body.  
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 6  wherein said means for non-intrusive removal is a slide with attached self-adhesive tape.  
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein said specimen bag is a biohazard bag having a zip-lock type closure mechanism.  
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 6 , said means for non-intrusive removal having a specific identification number.  
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9  wherein said specific identification number is a bar code and corresponding case number.  
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 1  further including a data form for filling out by a user.  
     
     
         13 . A kit for transferring superficial skin lesions to a remote location for diagnostic testing for fungal skin infections, said kit comprising: 
 means for non-intrusive removal of a superficial skin lesion from an individual's body; and    an envelope containing the address of the remote location, said skin lesion stored within said envelope when mailing said envelope to the remote location.    
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein said envelope is a return, prepaid envelope.  
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 13  further including medical information regarding fungal skin infections and use instructions.  
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 13  further including means for storing said envelope and said means for non-intrusive removal prior to use.  
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16  wherein said means for storing is a box-like member; wherein said envelope and said means for non-intrusive removal contained within said box-like member prior to use.  
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein said means for non-intrusive removal is a slide with attached self-adhesive tape.  
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 13 , said means for non-intrusive removal having a specific identification number.  
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein said specific identification number is a bar code and corresponding case number.  
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 13  further including a data form for filling out by a user.  
     
     
         22 . A method for transferring a skin lesion to a remote location for diagnostic testing for fungal skin infections, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) removing a skin lesion from its attachment to an individual;    (b) placing said skin lesion in an envelope; and    (c) mailing the envelope to a remote location.    
     
     
         23 . The method for transferring a skin lesion of  claim 22  further including the step of filling out a data form about the individual and inserting the data form within the envelope prior to mailing the envelope to the remote location.  
     
     
         24 . The method for transferring a skin lesion of  claim 22  wherein step (a) comprises contacting an outermost skin layer of the individual associated with the skin lesion with a self-adhesive tape and attaching said tape with skin lesion to a slide.  
     
     
         25 . The method for transferring a skin lesion of  claim 22  wherein step (b) comprises inserting the slide with attached skin lesion within the envelope.  
     
     
         26 . The method for transferring a skin lesion of  claim 22  wherein step (b) comprises providing a specimen bag and inserting the slide with attached skin lesion within the specimen bag.