A collection device for examining fecal matter to determine whether or not a patient is afflicted with parasites includes a particle accumulating plug mounted on an end of a collection tube containing a fecal specimen. The particle accumulating plug includes a conically-shaped inner wall that defines an inverted funnel within the plug. A pipetting port is formed through the inner wall at the apex of the inverted funnel to allow the tip of a pipette to enter the port and aspirate the ova or eggs, or other parasite cells, that have separated from the fecal specimen when a flotation solution is added to the tube and the tube is centrifuged. The conical shape of the inner wall of the plug directs the separated parasite ova or eggs towards the pipetting port and to accumulate within the volume of the funnel of the plug so that a desired volume of fluid containing a concentrated quantity of parasite ova or eggs may be aspirated into the pipette tip through the pipetting port of the particle accumulating plug.

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions, e.g., formulations, used for gastric, gastrointestinal and/or colonic treatments or lavage, e.g., orthostatic lavage, e.g., for inducing the purgation (e.g., cleansing) of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including a colon; and methods for making and using them. In alternative embodiments, compositions and methods of the invention are used for the stabilization, amelioration, treatment and/or prevention of constipation, for the treatment of abdominal pain, particularly non-specific abdominal pain, and diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by a drug side effect, a psychological condition, a disease or a condition such as Crohn's Disease, a poison, a toxin or an infection, e.g., a toxin-mediated travelers diarrhea, or C.difficile or the pseudo-membranous colitis associated with this infection. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides pharmaceuticals and products (articles) of manufacture for delivering these compositions and formulations to an individual, e.g., a human or an animal. The invention also provides devices for delivering a fecal material to a patient.

Apparatus and methods are described for use with a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl. While the bodily emission is disposed within the toilet bowl, light is received from the toilet bowl using one or more light sensors. Using a computer processor, intensities of at least two spectral bands that are within a range of 530 nm to 785 nm are determined, by analyzing the received light, and a ratio of the intensities of the two spectral bands is determined. In response thereto, the computer processor determines that there is a presence of blood within the bodily emission. The computer processor generates an output on an output device, at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

A bed pan assembly with excretion analyzation beneficially configured to collect, read, sample, analyze, and/or notify one or more desired users of one or more targeted properties of a stool or urine sample and comprising a portable bed pan housing with a bottom wall, a sidewall, an excretion storage cavity, and at least one analyzing sensor operably configured to detect at least one of a targeted stool or urine property from a stool or urine specimen received within the excretion storage cavity, communicatively couplable to a remote electronic communication device over a wireless network, and operably configured to communicate an electronic notification of the at least one of the targeted stool or urine property to the remote electronic communication device over the wireless network. The analyzing sensors may be specifically, operably configured to detect excreta occult blood, urine flowrate, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, melanin, weight, or movement as the targeted properties.

An analytical toilet comprising a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; a flush mechanism for cleaning the bowl after use; at least one analytical test device wherein a sample of excreta is analyzed; a manifold comprising conduits and valves for distributing one or more fluids to and from the at least one receptacle; and a digital control device controlling the valves to distribute the sample to the analytical test device for analysis; and distribute fluid to remove the sample from the analytical test device after analysis and to clean the analytical test device is disclosed.

The disclosed embodiments relate to system, method and apparatus for forming ML sessions so that an AI system can identify, track and diagnose a user through the user's bathroom sessions. As used herein, a session is a period of time during which a user is active in the toilet. The session may include certain inactivity if such inactivity lasts only for a predefined duration. In an exemplary embodiment, a system is configured to capture images of excreta and, using ML algorithms, classifies the toileting session using Digital Biomarkers (DBMs). The ability to create an excreta log to accurately deliver detailed information to doctors and healthcare providers can revolutionize healthcare by notifying when further urine or fecal screening is necessary. The disclosed embodiments of ML and image identification through AI requires no user behavior change and provides a link between medical records and specific excreta patterns.

Apparatus and methods are described for use with feces of a subject that are disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device. One or more light sensors are configured to receive light from the toilet bowl, while the feces are disposed within the toilet bowl. A computer processor analyzes the received light, and, in response thereto, detects a currently-occurring inflammatory bowel disease episode, and/or a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel disease episode. The computer processor generates an output on the output device, at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Disclosed embodiments relate to a collection device for bodily fluids comprising a tubular material with a first end and second end. A portion of the first end is configured to be secured to a user and the tubular material may be folded over itself to form a first sheath and a second sheath. In some applications, the fluid collection devices described may be secured to a user using interlocking loops.

This specification discloses devices and apparatus for collecting a material specimen, including a sheath; and an inner assembly. The inner assembly can include a handling element; one or more fluid chamber elements; and a swab element. The handling element, the one or more fluid chamber elements, and the swab element are connected and arranged along a first axis; and the inner assembly is operable to slide within the sheath between (i) a first position in which the swab element is in a non-retracted position outside of the sheath while at least a portion of the inner assembly remains within the sheath, and (ii) a second position in which the swab element is in a retracted position within the sheath.

Provided is excretion detection system (50) including: toilet seat (10) that is openable; imaging unit (2) with which toilet seat (10) is provided; and information processor (15) that estimates at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) presence or absence of urine or feces, and (ii) a property of the urine or feces, by using imaging data of imaging unit (2), excretion detection system (50) being configured not to capture an image using imaging unit (2) when toilet seat (10) opens.