Method for rapid identification of infections and/or risk situations related to gastroduodenal pathologies and machine for performing the method

Abstract

A method for immediate identification and rapid comparative assessment of indicators of the presence of infections and/or risk situations related to gastroduodenal pathologies, comprising the steps of: aspirating, during an endoscopy, a preset quantity of gastric juices, and sending at least part of the aspirated gastric juices to a control unit, where it is subjected to at least one analysis, the outcome of which is provided before the endoscopy ends.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A method for immediate identification and rapid comparative assessment of indicators of the presence of infections and/or risk situations related to gastroduodenal pathologies, comprising the steps of: during an endoscopic test, aspirating a preset quantity of gastric juices and sending at least part of said aspirated gastric juices to a control unit, where said part of aspirated gastric juices is subjected to at least one analysis, the outcome of which is provided before said endoscopic test ends.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said analysis identifies the presence of  Helicobacter pylori.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said analysis determines the concentration of ammonium.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said analysis is a measurement of the quantity of ammonia that is present and is preceded by the addition of an ISA solution to the gastric juices to convert the ammonium into ammonia.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said analysis identifies fundal atrophic gastritis.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said analysis is a measurement of the pH of gastric juice.  
   
   
       22 . A machine for performing the method for identification and assestment of indicators of the presence of infections and/or risk situations related to gastroduodenal pathologies, comprising a measurement unit that is constituted by a container supplied by means for aspirating gastric juices in which an agitator of the mixture of gastric juice, reagents and water operates, and at least one probe for sensing the values of the analyses, a hydraulic section that comprises a set of tanks for the reagents required for the analyses and for the water, which are connected to respective apparatuses for feeding said measurement unit and to a pump for feeding water into the stomach of the patient, an apparatus for controlling the temperature of said container, and an electrical section, which comprises a programmable control unit for actuating and controlling said feeder apparatuses and said measurement unit and is suitable to determine the test execution methods.  
   
   
       23 . The machine of  claim 22 , wherein said means for aspirating gastric juices comprise at least one pump.  
   
   
       24 . The machine of  claim 22 , wherein said means for feeding fluids for the measurement unit comprise at least one pump for sending said reagents and water and/or air.  
   
   
       25 . The machine of  claim 22 , wherein said apparatus for controlling the temperature of said container is a generator of heating air at an adjustable temperature.  
   
   
       26 . The machine of  claim 22 , wherein said container of said measurement unit is of a substantially closed type and is provided with connections for a plurality of ducts for the flow of liquids and/or air and for access of probes.  
   
   
       27 . The machine of  claim 26 , wherein said container is substantially cylindrical and comprises at least one temperature sensor and at least one level sensor suitable to indicate the presence of certain volumes of liquids within said container.  
   
   
       28 . The machine of  claim 26 , wherein said container comprises, on its side wall, an emptying hole to which an intake is connected.  
   
   
       29 . The machine of  claim 26 , wherein said container contains at least one temperature sensor and a plurality of level sensors that are suitable to indicate the presence of certain volumes of liquids within the container.  
   
   
       30 . The machine of  claim 22 , wherein said agitator comprises a driving motor to a shaft of which a disk is rigidly coupled, said disk supporting a permanently magnetized bar, and an armature, which is also permanently magnetized and rests above a bottom of said container.