Abstract: The present invention relates to a color-changing material and to a multiple-component material that includes a color-changing composition. The color-changing materials and color-changing compositions are capable of changing color in order to indicate a change in condition, such as a change in pH. The color-changing materials and color-changing compositions include a hydrogel-forming composition, a charged colorant and a pH adjuster. The hydrogel-forming composition includes at least one charged species.

Abstract: A method for reducing odor is provided. The method comprises forming a coordination complex between a transition metal and a polydentate compound, and contacting the coordinated complex with an odorous compound. The transition metal provides one or more active sites for capturing the odorous compound. In some embodiments, the polydentate compound may be a polyalkylimine, such as polyethyleneimine, polypropyleneimine, or a dendrimer thereof.

Abstract: A diagnostic test kit for detecting an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The kit employs a lateral flow device that contains a membrane. A metering channel is formed in the membrane that is capable of delivering a controlled volume of the test sample to a detection zone upon initiation of the assay. Such a metering channel is particularly effective for embodiments in which the test sample has a relatively low volume, such as less than about 100 microliters, in some embodiments from about 0.5 to about 25 microliters, and in some embodiments, from about 1 to about 10 microliters. For example, whole blood drops obtained from patients with a lancet typically have a volume of less than about 3 microliters. Despite their low volume, the present inventors have discovered that the blood drops may still be accurately analyzed for the presence of an analyte using lateral flow detection techniques.

Abstract: A hybrid absorbent foam includes an integrated hybrid foam layer having an open surface, a closed surface, and a foam body extending between the open and closed surfaces. The integrated hybrid foam layer has an open-cell content of at least 50%, while the closed surface provides a barrier to aqueous liquids. The integrated hybrid foam layer is formed as a single layer, and has a substantially uniform polymer composition throughout its thickness. The integrated hybrid foam layer combines the functions of liquid absorbency, retention, and barrier into a single layer, and is useful in a wide variety of absorbent articles.

Abstract: A method for controlling fluid flow in an assay device that employs a membrane is provided. Specifically, one or more recessed regions are formed in the membrane by applying a solvent treatment thereto. The solvent treatment is selected based on its particular dissolving capacity for the material used to form the membrane. For example, an alcohol-based solvent, such as methanol, may be used as a solvent for nitrocellulose membranes. Upon contact with the solvent treatment, a recessed region is formed that may serve a variety of different functions relating to flow control. In one particular embodiment, the recessed region may function as a metering channel that is capable of delivering a controlled volume of the test sample to a detection zone upon initiation of the assay.

Abstract: Hollow particles for use in various types of assay devices are provided. Due to their hollow or voided structure, the particles may exhibit a variety of beneficial properties. For instance, hollow particles are generally lightweight, and thus, relatively inexpensive in comparison to other types of particles. Hollow particles may also form a stable system without requiring refrigeration or rotation. In addition, hollow particles may possess enhanced light diffraction capabilities, which may be particularly beneficial in certain types of assay devices, e.g., diffraction-based assay devices.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a signal element having a body-facing surface, a garment-facing surface, a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a z-direction. The signal element includes a water-soluble polymeric buffering film and a stimulation material. The water-soluble polymeric buffering film comprises a water-soluble base polymer. In some aspects, the stimulation material comprises a temperature change agent, and the signal element exhibits a surface temperature change of at least +/?2° C. In some aspects, the signal element exhibits a stimulation effect over at least two aqueous insults.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a signal composite comprising a carrier substrate layer, a first stimulation layer, a second stimulation layer, a first thermoplastic adhesive layer and a second thermoplastic adhesive layer. The carrier substrate layer is disposed as a bottom layer of the signal composite. The first stimulation layer comprises a first stimulation material and is disposed above and adjacent to the carrier substrate layer. The second stimulation layer comprises a second stimulation material and is disposed above and adjacent to the first stimulation layer to provide the body-facing surface of the signal composite. The first thermoplastic adhesive layer is liquid permeable or water-soluble and is disposed between and adjacent to the carrier substrate layer and the first stimulation layer. The second thermoplastic adhesive layer is liquid permeable or water-soluble and is disposed between the first stimulation layer and the second stimulation layer.

Abstract: Skin sealants are usually applied over skin preps to seal the skin and hold any remaining bacteria in place prior to surgical incisions. This sealant is generally left on the skin after surgery. This two step process is time consuming, as each layer must dry before the next one is applied. A skin preparation is provided that immobilizes at least 95 percent of bacteria on the skin and is essentially free of cyanoacrylate. The skin preparation has a fugitive solvent and may also have antimicrobial compounds like iodophors, biguanides, phenols, quaternary amines, antibiotics and metals. This skin preparation may be used without an additional skin sealant or incise applied over it prior to surgery.

Abstract: An electrochemical-based assay device capable of detecting the presence or quantity of an analyte of interest that is provided. The device contains two or more substrates, one containing a detection working electrode and another containing an auxiliary electrode, such as a counter/reference electrode(s). The substrates are positioned in a face-to-face relationship so that the electrodes are adjacent to each other during performance of the assay. Besides the electrodes, any of a variety of other components may also be employed in the assay device.

Abstract: A method for controlling fluid flow in an assay device that employs a membrane is provided. Specifically, one or more recessed regions are formed in the membrane by applying a solvent treatment thereto. The solvent treatment is selected based on its particular dissolving capacity for the material used to form the membrane. For example, an alcohol-based solvent, such as methanol, may be used as a solvent for nitrocellulose membranes. Upon contact with the solvent treatment, a recessed region is formed that may serve a variety of different functions relating to flow control. In one particular embodiment, the recessed region may function as a metering channel that is capable of delivering a controlled volume of the test sample to a detection zone upon initiation of the assay.

Abstract: Hollow particles for use in various types of assay devices are provided. Due to their hollow or voided structure, the particles may exhibit a variety of beneficial properties. For instance, hollow particles are generally lightweight, and thus, relatively inexpensive in comparison to other types of particles. Hollow particles may also form a stable system without requiring refrigeration or rotation. In addition, hollow particles may possess enhanced light diffraction capabilities, which may be particularly beneficial in certain types of assay devices, e.g., diffraction-based assay devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a color-changing material and to a multiple-component material that includes a color-changing composition. The color-changing materials and color-changing compositions are capable of changing color in order to indicate a change in condition, such as a change in pH. The color-changing materials and color-changing compositions include a hydrogel-forming composition, a charged colorant and a pH adjuster. The hydrogel-forming composition includes at least one charged species.

Abstract: A method for controlling fluid flow in an assay device that employs a membrane is provided. Specifically, one or more recessed regions are formed in the membrane by applying a solvent treatment thereto. The solvent treatment is selected based on its particular dissolving capacity for the material used to form the membrane. For example, an alcohol-based solvent, such as methanol, may be used as a solvent for nitrocellulose membranes. Upon contact with the solvent treatment, a recessed region is formed that may serve a variety of different functions relating to flow control. In one particular embodiment, the recessed region may function as a metering channel that is capable of delivering a controlled volume of the test sample to a detection zone upon initiation of the assay.

Abstract: There is provided a color change composition that remains stable in a single phase and that contains an indicator that produces an observable color change after a period of time to show that sufficient cleaning has been done or to indicate the thoroughness of the cleaning. This use indicating color change is useful for, for example, in soap for teaching children to wash their hands for a sufficient period of time. This composition may be added to many different base materials to indicate time of use or as a way to introduce enjoyment to the activity.

Abstract: A diagnostic test kit for detecting an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The kit employs a lateral flow device that contains a membrane. A metering channel is formed in the membrane that is capable of delivering a controlled volume of the test sample to a detection zone upon initiation of the assay. Such a metering channel is particularly effective for embodiments in which the test sample has a relatively low volume, such as less than about 100 microliters, in some embodiments from about 0.5 to about 25 microliters, and in some embodiments, from about 1 to about 10 microliters. For example, whole blood drops obtained from patients with a lancet typically have a volume of less than about 3 microliters. Despite their low volume, the present inventors have discovered that the blood drops may still be accurately analyzed for the presence of an analyte using lateral flow detection techniques.

Abstract: A membrane-based assay device for detecting the presence or quantity of an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The device utilizes conjugated probes that contain a specific binding member for the analyte of interest. The specific binding member preferentially complexes with the analyte within a test sample when contacted therewith. Excess analyte that remains uncomplexed with the specific binding member undergoes non-specific binding, such as to a hydrophobic domain. As a result, the ability of the uncomplexed analyte to compete with the complexed analyte at the detection zone of the device is restricted. Thus, the incidence of “false negatives” is limited in a simple, efficient, and relatively inexpensive manner.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and associated test kit for detecting an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The kit includes a housing, and a membrane disposed within the housing having a detection region and a collection region. A blood sample meter is provided having a first end for absorption of a blood sample, a filtering section adjacent to the first end that filters red blood cell components from the blood sample, and a storage section adjacent to the filtering section that receives plasma or serum from the filtering section. An opening in the housing is sized for insertion of the sample meter into the housing such that the storage section of the sample meter is disposed in fluid communication with the collection region of the membrane. The plasma or serum is transferred from the storage section of the sample meter to the collection region of the membrane for subsequent migration to the detection region.

Abstract: Hollow particles for use in various types of assay devices are provided. Due to their hollow or voided structure, the particles may exhibit a variety of beneficial properties. For instance, hollow particles are generally lightweight, and thus, relatively inexpensive in comparison to other types of particles. Hollow particles may also form a stable system without requiring refrigeration or rotation. In addition, hollow particles may possess enhanced light diffraction capabilities, which may be particularly beneficial in certain types of assay devices, e.g., diffraction-based assay devices.

Abstract: A method for reducing odor is provided. The method comprises forming a coordination complex between a transition metal and a polydentate compound, and contacting the coordinated complex with an odorous compound. The transition metal provides one or more active sites for capturing the odorous compound. In some embodiments, the polydentate compound may be a polyalkylimine, such as polyethyleneimine, polypropyleneimine, or a dendrimer thereof.