Device for & method of testing occult blood in feces

Abstract

The presence of occult blood in feces is detected using device ( 10 ) including a liquid tight packet ( 12 ) containing a sheet of absorbent material ( 14 ) impregnated with a liquid solution that reacts with feces to produce a color change when blood is present. The packet ( 12 ) is opened manually by tearing the packet ( 12 ) apart to access the sheet absorbent material ( 14 ), which is then used to collecting a sample of feces on the impregnated sheet of absorbent material ( 14 ).

1 . A method of detecting the presence of occult blood in feces, comprising the steps of 
 (a) providing a packet including a sheet of absorbent material impregnated with a liquid solution that reacts with feces to produce a color change when blood is present,    (b) opening the packet and removing the impregnated sheet of absorbent material, and    (c) collecting a sample of feces on the impregnated sheet of absorbent material, a color change appearing on the impregnated sheet of absorbent material in the presence of occult blood.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  where the liquid solution comprises guaiac material and hydrogen peroxide.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  where the liquid solution comprises 
 from 3 to 8 weight percent hydrogen peroxide,    from 60 to 80 weight percent alcohol,    from 12 to 37 weight percent guaiac material.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  where the sheet of absorbent material is tissue paper.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  where the packet is evacuated to remove air therefrom and sealed to prevent the liquid solution from escaping the packet until opened to use the impregnated sheet of absorbent material, said packet being made of a substance that is essentially impermeable to light and air.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  where the substance from which the packet is made is aluminum foil.  
     
     
         7 . A method of detecting the presence of occult blood in feces, comprising the steps of 
 (a) providing a packet containing a sheet of tissue paper impregnated with a liquid solution of guaiac material, including hydrogen peroxide, said packet being evacuated to remove air therefrom and sealed to prevent the liquid solution from escaping the packet until opened to use the impregnated sheet of tissue paper, said packet being made of a substance that is essentially impermeable to light and air,    said liquid solution comprising    from 3 to 8 weight percent hydrogen peroxide,    from 60 to 80 weight percent alcohol,    from 12 to 37 weight percent guaiac material, and    (b) opening the packet and removing the impregnated sheet of absorbent material, and    (c) collecting a sample of feces on the impregnated sheet of absorbent material, a blue color appearing on the impregnated sheet of absorbent material in the presence of occult blood.    
     
     
         8 . A device for detecting the presence of occult blood in feces, comprising 
 a packet containing a sheet of absorbent material impregnated with a liquid solution of guaiac material, including hydrogen peroxide,    said packet being evacuated to remove air therefrom and sealed to prevent the liquid solution from escaping the packet until opened to use the impregnated sheet of absorbent material,    said packet being made of a substance that is essentially impermeable to light and air.    
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  where the liquid solution comprises 
 from 3 to 8 weight percent hydrogen peroxide,    from 60 to 80 weight percent alcohol,    from 12 to 37 weight percent guaiac material.    
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8  where the sheet of absorbent material is tissue paper.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8  where the substance from which the packet is made is aluminum foil.  
     
     
         12 . A device for detecting the presence of occult blood in feces, comprising 
 a packet containing a sheet of tissue paper impregnated with a liquid solution of guaiac material, including hydrogen peroxide,    said packet comprising two overlying layers with the sheet of tissue paper sandwiched between said layers, said layers each having outer edge portions defining a layer's perimeter, said outer edge portions of the layers adjoining and being sealed together to prevent the liquid solution from escaping the packet until opened to use the impregnated sheet of tissue paper, any detrimental air between the layers being evacuated therefrom by vacuum, and    said layers each having a thickness of less than {fraction (1/16)} inch and being made of a substance that is essentially impermeable to light and air,    said liquid solution comprising    from 3 to 8 weight percent hydrogen peroxide,    from 60 to 80 weight percent alcohol,    from 12 to 37 weight percent guaiac material.    
     
     
         13  A device for detecting the presence of occult blood in feces, comprising a liquid tight packet that is opened manually by tearing the packet, said packet including a sheet of absorbent material impregnated with a liquid solution that reacts with feces to produce a color change when blood is present.