Device and method for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal allergy

Abstract

A method and device for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal allergy. The method and the device expose a surface to at least one antigen at a fixed depth. The device includes an application point each having an antigen allowing for the application of the antigen to the surface at a fixed depth. The device may include multiple applications points each with an antigen for simultaneously applying the antigens to the surface.

Claims

1. A device to apply an antigen thru the mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract, the device comprising: a plurality of application points, each application point containing an antigen for simultaneous application of the antigen to a surface, wherein each application point applies the antigen to the surface a fixed depth; a capsule, wherein the plurality of application points are disposed within a housing which includes a latch and hinge; and grasping means, wherein each application point comprises a prick-tip.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is a patch and the application points are disposed on a backing material.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein each application point further comprises a plunger extension.

4. A device to apply an antigen thru the mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract, the device comprising: a plurality of application points, each application point comprising a prick-tip and containing an antigen for simultaneous application of the antigen to a surface, wherein each application point applies the antigen to the surface a fixed depth; and a capsule, wherein the plurality of application points are disposed within a housing.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the device is a patch and the plurality of application points are disposed on a backing material.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the housing includes a latch and a hinge.

7. The device of claim 4 further comprising grasping means.

8. The device of claim 4 wherein each application point further comprises a plunger extension.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that the accompanying drawings depict only typical embodiments, and are, therefore, not to be considered to be limiting of the scope of the present disclosure, the embodiments will be described and explained with specificity and detail in reference to the accompanying drawings as provided below.

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a back view of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a side cut away view of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a partial side cut away view of an embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention with an application device.

(9) FIG. 8 is another side view of an embodiment of the present invention with another application device.

(10) FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

(12) The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

(13) Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

(14) Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

(15) In one aspect of the present invention, the invention is a device 10 to apply antigens thru the mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract. The device 10 may include a plurality of application points 12. Each application point 12 contains an antigen allowing for the simultaneous application of multiple antigens to a surface. The antigen on each application point 12 is preferably a different antigen allowing for multiple different antigens to be tested simultaneously.

(16) In an embodiment, the device 10 may be a patch 14 with the application points 12 disposed on a backing material 16. The application points 12 on the patch will allow the antigens to be applied to the surface at a fixed depth, i.e., on the top of the surface only.

(17) In another embodiment, the device 10 includes eight (8) application points 12, which will allow for the application of eight (8) different antigens at the same time.

(18) In yet another embodiment, the application points 14 may be a prick-tip 18. The prick-tips 18 have a fixed length relative to a housing 22, such that they will be applied to the surface a fixed depth. In other words, the prick-tip 18 will only penetrate the surface a fixed depth.

(19) The device 10 may be a capsule 20 and the application points 14 are disposed within the housing 22. The housing 22 may include a latch 24 and a hinge 26.

(20) The device may also include grasping means 28. Exemplary grasping means 28 include holes 30 to be grasped by a tri-pronged grasper 32 or a groove 34 to be grasped by a loop snare 36. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that these devices (tri-pronged grasper 32 and a loop snare 36) can be used with an endoscope 40.

(21) The device 10 may also include a plunger extension 42. The plunger extension 42 moves the antigen 44 from the prick-tip 18 to the surface.

(22) In another embodiment, the device 100 may be a single prick-tip 18 which is individually deployed thru the endoscope 40 and tests antigens individually. The prick-tip 18, unlike a syringe and needle, will only penetrate the surface a fixed distance. This will minimize the chances that the device 100 (or the prick-tip 18) will perforate the colon or tissue.

(23) The present invention also relates to a method to diagnose a gastrointestinal allergy. The method may include the steps of providing a device including a plurality of applications points each application point containing an antigen, exposing a surface to the antigens simultaneously, and, observing the reaction of the surface to the antigens.

(24) The device may be, for example, a patch or a capsule.

(25) The method may also include the step of introducing the device into a bodily cavity. This may be done, for example, by a tri-prong grasper or a loop snare.

(26) The method may further include the step of removing the device from the bodily cavity.

(27) If the device is a capsule, the method may include the step of opening the capsule.

(28) The step of exposing a surface to the antigens simultaneously may further include the step of scratching the surface or penetrating the surface. In addition, penetrating the surface may include penetrating the surface a fixed depth.

(29) Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the present disclosure to its fullest extent. The examples and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure provided herein. In other words, various modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed in the description above are within the scope of the appended claims. Note that elements recited in means-plus-function format are intended to be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112 6. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the following claims.