Dehydration detection device and method of use

Abstract

A hand-held device is provided for the self-determination of the dehydration state of a human engaged in activities causing dehydration and which might not be evident to such person. The device can be in the shape of a dipstick having one end thereof containing a chemical indicator which when contacted with a stream of urine will provide a color change corresponding to the specific gravity of the urine specimen and is indicative of the whether the person is dehydrated or not. The cap or cover or the dipstick itself contains a color chart for comparison with the color resulting from the reaction of the urine and the chemical indicator.

1 . An article for the determination of dehydration in a human comprising a compact, portable, hand-held device having an elongated member, said member being comprised of: 
 (a) at a first portion thereof, a zone containing at least one chemical reagent, which when contacted with a specimen of human urine exhibits a different, specific color corresponding to whether the specific gravity of urine is within the individual ranges of: 
 (i) less than about 1.015,  
 (ii) between about 1.105 and about 1.025,  
 (iii) greater than about 1.025  
   (b) affixed on a cap or cover of the article, a zone of predetermined separate colors, each of which color is indicative of an individual specific gravity range and therefore the hydration status of said human, and wherein the device is so configured that a person can hold the device and urinated directly onto the first portion thereof without urine contacting the remainder of the device and wherein a color change of the chemical reagent produced by contact with the urine can immediately and privately be compared with the colors affixed to the cap or cover of the article.    
     
     
         2 - 20 . (cancelled)