SEX TOY ADAPTED TO COLLECT BODY FLUID AND/OR CELLS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

Abstract

A sex toy collects a body fluid and/or cells as present in a genital, especially in a female vagina, for a diagnostic test, especially an in-vitro diagnostic test and/or a biomarker test. The sex toy includes a housing having at least one sampling port leading into at least one sampling channel for collecting a sample of body fluid and/or cells through the sampling port and the sampling channel inside the housing. The sex toy includes a test module adapted for analyzing and/or screening and/or monitoring diagnostic parameters of a collected sample body fluid and/or cells with medical implications as well as general health and lifestyle parameters. The test module includes comprising at least a first analyzing unit for carrying out a diagnostic test.

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A sex toy configured to collect a body fluid or cells present in a genital for a diagnostic test, the sex toy comprising: a housing comprising at least one sampling port leading into at least one sampling channel configured to collect the sample of body fluid or the cells through the sampling port and the sampling channel inside the housing; and a test module adapted to analyze, screen, or monitor diagnostic parameters of the collected sample of body fluid or cells, wherein the test module comprises at least a first analyzing unit configured to perform a diagnostic test of the collected sample body of fluids or cells.

20. The sex toy of claim 19, wherein the housing has an opening configured for inserting a support unit into the housing, wherein the support unit is part of the sex toy and comprises the test module.

21. The sex toy of claim 19, wherein the least a first analyzing unit is configured to perform a lateral flow test.

22. The sex toy of claim 19, wherein the test module is modularly or replacaebly fitted inside the housing.

23. The sex toy of claim 19, wherein the test module includes at least one reservoir for liquids, diluents, extraction reagents, or chemical or biological agents for analyzing the collected sample of body fluid or cells.

24. The sex toy of claim 19, wherein the test module comprises at least one reaction chamber configured to perform at least one process, reaction, or separation with the liquids or reagents in contact with the collected sample of bodily fluids or cells, that includes one or more incubation steps, binding reactions, or chromatography.

25. The sex toy of claim 24, wherein the sex toy further comprises at least one pump configured to pump the bodily fluids or cells through the sampling port and the sampling channel to the reaction chamber.

26. The sex toy of claim 19, wherein the sex toy further comprises a microfluidic device configured to exploit physical or chemical properties of the body fluid or cells.

27. The sex toy of claim 19, wherein the sampling channel is either molded integrally to the sampling port of the housing or is part of the test module.

28. The sex toy of claim 24, wherein the housing comprises an embedded window that allows viewing a diagnostic test performed by the test module.

29. The sex toy of claim 19, further comprising sampling ports at different zones for at different locations of the vagina.

30. The sex toy of claim 19, wherein an outer surface of the sex toy comprises at least one or more structured surfaces to support the sampling of vaginal fluids and cells, wherein the one or more structured surfaces one or more grooves or surface coatings with hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic zones.

31. The sex toy of claim 19, further comprising an exchangeable sleeve with one or more structured surfaces that are one or more grooves.

32. An assembly comprising: a sex toy comprising a housing comprising at least one sampling port leading into at least one sampling channel configured to collect the sample of body fluid or the cells through the sampling port and the sampling channel inside the housing; and a test module adapted to analyze, screen, or monitor diagnostic parameters of the collected sample of body fluid or cells, wherein the test module comprises at least a first analyzing unit configured to perform a diagnostic test of the collected sample body of fluids or cells; and a docking station for the sex toy, the docking station comprising a port configured for the sex toy to be inserted into the docking station or configured or for the test module of the sex toy to be inserted into the docking station; and an evaluation unit configured to evaluate diagnostic measurement results performed by either the sex toy or the docking station, wherein the docking station is configured to analyze the diagnostic test of the body fluid or cells collected by the sex toy.

33. The assembly of claim 32, wherein the docking station comprises a further analyzing unit configured to operate or perform the diagnostic test, wherein the diagnostic test is analyzing, screening, or monitoring the diagnostic parameters of the collected sample body fluid or cells.

34. The assembly of claim 32, wherein the docking station further comprises a modular test module inserted into the port.

35. The assembly of claim 32, wherein the further analyzing unit of the docking station comprises a cleaning unit configured to clean for the cleaning of the sampling port or the sampling channel.

36. A method for analyzing diagnostic tests of body fluid or cells using a sex toy or an assembly of a sex toy and a docking station, the method comprising i. providing the sex toy, which comprises a housing comprising at least one sampling port leading into at least one sampling channel configured to collect the sample of body fluid or the cells through the sampling port and the sampling channel inside the housing; and a test module adapted to analyze, screen, or monitor diagnostic parameters of the collected sample of body fluid or cells, wherein the test module comprises at least a first analyzing unit configured to perform a diagnostic test of the collected sample body of fluids or cells; and ii. collecting the sample of the body fluid or cells through the sampling port into the sampling channel; and iii. performing a diagnostic test by the sex toy or by the docking station with the collected sample of bodily fluids or cells.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0259] An advantageous embodiment of an inventive sex toy is further explained in detail by a drawing. Specific parts of the embodiment can be understood as separate features that can also be realized in other embodiments of the invention. The combination of features described by the embodiment shall not be understood as a limitation of the invention:

[0260] FIG. 1 schematic view of the device from outside;

[0261] FIG. 2 illustrated view on sliding the support unit of the device;

[0262] FIG. 3 schematic view on housing only;

[0263] FIG. 4 schematic view on support unit only with sampling channel part of test module;

[0264] FIG. 5 illustrated view on support unit only with sampling channel part of modular test module being inserted;

[0265] FIG. 6 schematic view on support unit only with sampling channel part of housing;

[0266] FIG. 7 illustrated view on support unit only with sampling channel part of housing, modular test module being inserted;

[0267] FIG. 8 illustrated view on station with modular test module path;

[0268] FIG. 9 illustrated view on device and external mobile phone.

[0269] FIG. 10 schematic view of the device which contains different sampling zones.

[0270] FIG. 11 schematic view of the device with a structured surface of the sleeve (here in the form of grooves leading to sampling ports) to support sampling.

[0271] FIG. 12 schematic view of the device with hydrophobic and hydrophilic zones at the surface to enhance sampling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0272] An embodiment of an inventive sex toy 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 shaped cylindric with a spherical front cap 5 and an end cap 22 opposite to the front cap 5.

[0273] In this further embodiment the housing 2 comprises three sampling ports 3. Corresponding sampling channels 4 are not shown in FIG. 1 due to the schematic drawing perspective.

[0274] The housing comprises a window 25 to allow viewing into the housing 2 for an optical readout of a test result.

[0275] The end cap 22 closes the opening 6 of the housing 2.

[0276] To operate and/or control processes of the device manually the end cap 22 is fitted with at least one activation element 23. For signaling information, the end cap 22 is further equipped with at least one of LEDs and LCDs 24.

[0277] FIG. 2 reveals the support unit 7 demonstrating the sliding process being inserted and/or removed into and/or out the housing 2 through the opening 6. It also shows the half cylindrical shape of the support unit 7 corresponding to the shape of the housing 2.

[0278] The housing 2 in FIG. 3 is shown with the open 6 as an open shaped cylinder with a spherical front cap 5. The shape of the housing 2 could also be descripted as phalloid.

[0279] FIG. 4 shows the support unit 7 comprising the test module 8. The test module 8 is built and/or equipped for analyzing and/or screening and/or monitoring diagnostic parameters of collected sample body fluid and/or cells with medical implications as well as general health and lifestyle parameters.

[0280] It comprises at least a first analyzing unit 9. The scope of the first analyzing unit 9 is to carry out a diagnostic test, particularly to run a lateral flow test.

[0281] The test module 8 is equipped with at least one reservoir 10. The scope of the reservoir is to hold liquids and/or reagents, particularly diluents and/or extraction reagents.

[0282] FIG. 4 further shows the reaction chamber 11 with the sampling channel 4 mounted next to it showing an embodiment, where the sampling channel 4 is defined as being part of the test module 8.

[0283] The reaction chamber 11 is adapted to run different processes and/or reactions and/or separation techniques, particularly incubation steps and/or binding reactions and/or chromatography. The latter is a separation technique.

[0284] It is further shown that the reaction chamber 11 comprises at least one filter. The purpose is to filter the body fluid and/or cells being introduced through the sampling channel 4 before it enters the reaction chamber 11.

[0285] The filter is particularly a porous membrane and/or a sieve and/or a net. The scope of filtering is to filter cells or particles of specific size out of the body fluid and/or cells.

[0286] In an enhanced display detail of FIG. 4 it is shown that the reaction chamber further comprises at least one pump 13 for actively performing the sampling. This contributes to a faster sampling.

[0287] It is also shown reaction chamber 11 comprises at least one thermo element 14 to adjust and/or control temperatures.

[0288] Further it is shown the reaction chamber 11 comprises a microfluidic device 15 to exploit the physical and/or chemical properties of body fluid and/or cells at a microscale. This process enables analyzing with very small volumes of fluids, down to femtoliters (fIL).

[0289] Further enhanced display detail of FIG. 4 shows that the reaction chamber 11 comprises a waste container 16 for disposal of used samples and/or liquids and/or reagents.

[0290] FIG. 4 further discloses that the support unit 7 holds a networking unit 17.

[0291] In another enhanced display detail of FIG. 4 it is revealed that the networking unit 17 comprises a networking module 18, preferably adapted to add at least one interface, preferably wireless, particularly to operate and/or control the test module 8, and/or adapted to establish a wirelessly connection, preferably to a Wide Area Network (WAN).

[0292] Further discloses enhanced display detail of FIG. 4 that the networking unit 17 also comprises a transceiver unit 19.

[0293] The transceiver unit 19 is adapted to transmit and/or receive digital data, preferably wirelessly, preferably established and/or performed by way of WIFI and/or Bluetooth and/or nearfield communication (NFC).

[0294] The digital data includes at least one of test results, test commands, status information of tests, command for the sex toy functions, status information of the sex toy functions, still images, moving images, and sound.

[0295] FIG. 4 discloses further that the support unit 7 comprises an energy source 20.

[0296] The supply for energy is for energy consuming components of the sex toy 1 as a whole and comprising the vibration device 21 to run the play part of the sex toy 1.

[0297] FIG. 5 illustrates the insertion of the modular test module 27 into the device, the housing 2 being removed, using a modular test module 27.

[0298] In this embodiment the modular test module 27 is built replaceable.

[0299] The implementation shows the sampling channel 4 as part of the modular test module 27.

[0300] FIG. 6 discloses the support unit 7 after removing the housing 2. In this embodiment the sampling channel 4 is molded integral of the sampling port 3 of the housing 2, as one-piece, not shown on this drawing.

[0301] The implementation shown in FIG. 7 illustrates the insertion of the modular test module 27 into the device, the housing 2 being removed. The sampling channel 4 is molded integral of the sampling port 3 of the housing 2, one-piece, not shown on this drawing.

[0302] In a preferred embodiment an external docking station is provided (FIG. 8).

[0303] For running a test, the modular test module 27 will be removed from the device and inserted into the external station 26 passing the port for insertion 28 of the station 26.

[0304] The port 28 in FIG. 6 is adapted to receive the test module 27 but can also be wider, so that it is able to receive the whole sex toy 1.

[0305] The station 26 can be provided with an analyzing unit 32 comprising one or more sensor units, such as an optical sensor, and an evaluation unit 33 for the evaluation of the test results measured either by the station 26 or by the sex toy.

[0306] The purpose for testing a modular test module 27 in the station 26 is the logic that implementation of the station 26 provides more space for more complex components with the prospect of running more enhanced analyses.

[0307] The station 26 is also provided and/or equipped with a wireless transceiver module 28a.

[0308] The transceiver module 28a is adapted to transmit and/or receive digital data.

[0309] The data transfer will be preferably processed via a Wide Area Network (WAN) and will be in particular diagnostic test related.

[0310] FIG. 8 also shows the control unit 31 of the station, which is to operate manual.

[0311] It is also revealed in FIG. 8 that in a further preferred embodiment the station 26 comprises a cleaning unit 29.

[0312] The scope for the cleaning unit 29 is to clean the sex toy 1, especially the sampling port 3 and/or the sampling channel 4 molded integral of the sampling port 3 of the housing 2.

[0313] Another preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is that the docking station comprises a charging set 30 to recharge the energy source 20.

[0314] FIG. 9 illustrates wireless connectivity to an external mobile phone, colloquial called smartphone.

[0315] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the sex toy 1 which contains sampling ports 34-36 at different zones at different positions along the longitudinal axis of the sex toy or in other words of the device—for example at the front, middle and back of the device.

[0316] The housing of the sex toy 1 could be provided as described before with a window, made of transparent material. The other elements of the sex toy are equal to the predescribed embodiments. The sampling ports can be selectively addressed by a control device integrated in the sex toy to be open and closed selectively to optimize sampling at different locations of the vagina. The zones can be directly attached to the housing of the sex toy 1 or provided on the surface of the sleeve positioned at over the housing of the sex toy.

[0317] Selectively addressing the different sampling zones allows optimizing sampling for specific tests (for example sampling for tests which require deep vaginal sampling versus sampling for tests which require sampling close to the opening of the vagina).

[0318] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the sex toy 1 with a structured outer surface 37 of the housing of an exchangeable sleeve positioned at the outer surface of the housing. In the case of FIG. 11 grooves 38 leading to sampling ports 39. The groove structures support the sampling of vaginal fluids and cells by channeling vaginal fluids and cells directly to the sampling ports 39

[0319] FIG. 12 illustrates a further embodiment of the sex toy as a further development to FIG. 10 with hydrophobic and hydrophilic zones 40-44. Between the hydrophilic zones 40-42 with the sampling ports 34-36, there could be hydrophobic zones 43 and 44. A sleeve 45 could be circumferentially provided around the sex toy 1. As described for FIG. 10 the sampling ports can be selectively addressed.

[0320] Vaginal fluids and cells are guided from the hydrophobic to the hydrophilic zones, and thus directly to sampling ports located in the hydrophilic zone. Thus, the sampling of fluids and cells is enhanced as more amounts of fluids and cells will be guided to the sampling ports.

[0321] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived from these by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that there is a plurality of possible variations. It is also clear that embodiments stated by way of example are only really examples that are not to be seen as limiting the scope, application possibilities or configuration of the invention in any way. In fact, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete manner, wherein, with the knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, the person skilled in the art is able to undertake various changes, for example, with regard to the functioning or arrangement of individual elements stated in an exemplary embodiment without leaving the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0322] 1 sex toy [0323] 2 housing [0324] 3 sampling port [0325] 4 sampling channel [0326] 5 spherical front cap [0327] 6 opening [0328] 7 support unit [0329] 8 test module [0330] 9 first analyzing unit [0331] 10 reservoir [0332] 11 reaction chamber [0333] 12 filter [0334] 13 pump [0335] 14 thermo element [0336] 15 microfluidic device [0337] 16 waste container [0338] 17 networking unit [0339] 18 networking module [0340] 19 transceiver unit [0341] 20 energy source [0342] 21 vibration device [0343] 22 end cap [0344] 23 turning knob [0345] 24 LED/LCD [0346] 25 window [0347] 26 docking station [0348] 27 modular test module [0349] 28 port for insertion [0350] 28a transceiver module [0351] 29 cleaning unit [0352] 30 charging set [0353] 31 control unit [0354] 32 analyzing unit [0355] 33 evaluation unit [0356] 34 sampling ports [0357] 35 sampling ports [0358] 36 sampling ports [0359] 37 structured outer surface [0360] 38 grooves [0361] 39 sampling ports [0362] 40 hydrophilic zone [0363] 41 hydrophilic zone [0364] 42 hydrophilic zone [0365] 43 hydrophobic zone [0366] 44 hydrophobic zone [0367] 45 exchangeable sleeve