APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING URINE

Abstract

An apparatus for analyzing urine, including: a feeding and discharging device that delivers a quantity of urine into an analysis chamber of a urine test strip and discharges a quantity of urine from an analysis chamber of a urine test strip, the analysis chamber having an analysis zone. The feeding and discharging device includes a movably mounted feeding and/or discharging element for delivering a quantity of urine into a delivery zone in the analysis chamber and/or discharging a quantity of urine from a discharge zone in the analysis chamber. A detection device detects an at least sectoral variation of an optically detectable parameter, which varies in an optically detectable manner in accordance with the composition of a quantity of urine that contacts the analysis zone and produces detection data describing at least one optically detected parameter in the analysis zone or a variation of such a parameter.

Claims

1-24. (canceled)

25. An apparatus for the analysis of urine, comprising: a feed and discharge device, which is set up to deliver a certain quantity of urine to an analysis chamber of a urine test strip comprising at least one analysis zone and for carrying away a certain quantity of urine from an analysis chamber of a urine test strip comprising at least one analysis zone, wherein the feed and discharge device comprises at least one movably supported feed and/or discharge element for delivering a certain quantity of urine to a delivery zone of the analysis chamber of the urine test strip and/or to carry away a certain quantity of urine from a discharge zone of the analysis chamber of the urine test strip; and a detection device, which is set up to detect a change, at least in a certain area, in at least one optically detectable parameter of the at least one corresponding analysis zone of the urine test strip or of a corresponding test strip, which parameter changes in an optically detectable manner as a function of the composition of a quantity of urine contacting the analysis zone, and to generate detection data which describe at least one optically detectable parameter of the analysis zone or of a corresponding zone or which describe a change in such a parameter.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the feed and discharge device comprises at least one drive device connected to the at least one feed and/or discharge element, by means of which drive device the at least one feed and/or discharge element can be moved toward the urine test strip delivery and/or discharge zone or to one such zone in such a way that, in particular, a cannula-like tip of the feed and/or discharge element penetrates into the urine test strip delivery and/or discharge zone to deliver and/or to carry away the quantity of urine or a certain quantity of urine into or out of the urine test strip analysis chamber.

27. The apparatus according to claim 25, comprising at least one conveying device, which is set up to convey at least one urine test strip into a detection zone defined on the apparatus side, in which zone at least a certain area where there is a change in the at least one optically detectable parameter can be detected by the detection device, and/or to convey the test strip from the detection zone or one such zone.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the conveying device comprises, or is configured as, at least one rotatably supported transport element with conveying sections for the conveyance of at least one urine test strip, in particular a pimple wheel with conveying sections formed by pimples arranged a certain distance apart around the circumference for conveying at least one urine test strip, and/or at least one conveyor belt with conveying sections for conveying at least one urine test strip, and/or at least one transport roller, from which a set of several serially connected strip-like or belt-like urine test strips can be unrolled and/or onto which a set of several serially connected strip-like or belt-like urine test strips can be rolled.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the conveying device comprises at least two transport rollers, wherein a set of several serially connected strip-like or belt-like urine test strips can be unrolled from a first transport roller in such a way that at least one urine test strip to be conveyed into the detection zone can be is or moved into the detection zone and can be rolled up on to a second transport roller in such a way that the at least one urine test strip can be or is moved out of the detection zone.

30. The apparatus according to claim 25, comprising at least on separation device downstream from the detection device, which separation device is set up to separate at least one urine test strip from a set of several serially connected strip-like or belt-like urine test strips.

31. The apparatus according to claim 25, comprising at least one housing part, which is configured to hold the feed and discharge device, the detection device, and possibly additional devices of the apparatus.

32. The apparatus according to claim 25, comprising at least one bypass line, which connects a feed line leading to a feed element and a discharge line leading to a discharge element, wherein at least one valve device for opening and closing the bypass line is installed in the bypass line.

33. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the detection device is set up to communicate with at least one evaluation device, which is set up to evaluate detection data generated by the detection device and to acquire evaluation data describing an analysis of the quantity or urine present on the analysis zone of the urine test strip.

34. The apparatus according to claim 25, comprising a control unit, which is set up to control the operation of the feed and discharge device, the detection device, and possibly additional devices of the apparatus, in particular at least one pressure-determining device, at least one pump device, and at least one valve device installed in a corresponding bypass line.

35. A urine test strip device, in particular for an apparatus according to claim 25, comprising at least one urine test strip with an analysis chamber comprising at least one analysis zone for the analysis of urine, wherein at least a certain part of the analysis zone is surrounded by at least one encapsulating element to form at least a certain area of fluid-tight encapsulation.

36. The urine test strip device according to claim 33, wherein the analysis zone is formed between a delivery zone for delivering a certain quantity of fluid, especially a quantity of urine, to the analysis chamber and a discharge zone for carrying away a certain quantity of fluid, especially a quantity of urine, from the analysis chamber, wherein at least a certain part of the delivery zone and/or of the discharge zone is surrounded by the encapsulating element or by at least one additional such element to form at least a certain area of fluid-tight encapsulation.

37. The urine test strip device according to claim 36, wherein the delivery zone and/or the discharge zone comprises a convexity, in particular a hemispherical cap-shaped convexity.

38. The urine test strip device according to claim 35, wherein the encapsulating element comprises an upper encapsulating element section surrounding the exposed surface of the analysis zone and a lower encapsulating element section surrounding the surface of the analysis zone facing away from the exposed surface of the analysis zone.

39. The urine test strip device according to claim 38, wherein at least a certain part of the upper encapsulating element section is made of a transparent material, in particular a transparent plastic material.

40. The urine test strip device according to claim 38, wherein the lower encapsulating element section is provided with elastic properties, at least in the areas lying opposite the delivery zone and/or the discharge zone, so that it surrounds and seals off the part of the feed and/or discharge element which has perforated and penetrated into the delivery and/or discharge zone.

41. The urine test strip device according to claim 38, wherein the lower encapsulating element section is provided with elastic properties, at least in the areas lying opposite the delivery zone and/or the discharge zone, so that a perforated area can be or is closed off with a sealing effect by the sections of material of the lower encapsulating element section surrounding this perforated area.

42. The urine test strip device according to claim 40, wherein the lower encapsulating element section is made of an elastic plastic material, especially PE and/or PET.

43. The urine test strip device according to claim 35, wherein it comprises several urine test strips, which are serially connected to each other in a strip-like or belt-like fashion to form a set comprising several urine test strips.

44. A sanitary facility comprising a flush toilet, especially of the wall-hung or floor-mounted type, with a base body, especially of ceramic material, and with an apparatus according to claim 25.

45. The sanitary facility according to claim 44, comprising at least one withdrawal device formed or arranged in the base body, comprising at least one tubular element arranged in an opening in the base body, which tubular element is movably supported relative to a closing element between an open position and a closed position.

46. The sanitary facility according to claim 45, wherein the tubular element comprises a connection means on or in the area of the free end facing away from the base body for establishing a connection to the feed and discharge device of the apparatus or to one such device.

47. The sanitary facility according to claim 44, wherein a discharge line leading from the feed and discharge device or from one such device leads to an interior space, the boundaries of which are formed by the base body.

48. The sanitary facility according to claim 44, comprising at least one flushing device for performing a flushing operation of the flush toilet, wherein at least one fluid line of the flushing device is or can be connected to the feed line or to one such feed line leading to a feed and discharge device of the apparatus.

Description

[0066] Additional advantages, features, and details of the invention can be derived from the exemplary embodiments described in the following and from the drawings:

[0067] FIGS. 1-5 show schematic diagrams of a sanitary facility according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0068] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a withdrawal device of a sanitary facility according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0069] FIGS. 7-10 show schematic diagrams of an apparatus for analyzing urine according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0070] FIGS. 11-13 show schematic diagrams of a urine test strip device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

[0071] FIGS. 14-19 show schematic diagrams of various operating modes of a sanitary facility according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0072] Each of FIGS. 1-15 shows a schematic diagram of a sanitary facility 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 1-3 show perspective views, and FIGS. 4-5 show cross-sectional views of the sanitary facility 1. The direction in which the cross section is taken and the viewing direction are indicated in FIG. 1 by the general cross-sectional line A-A. The sanitary facility 1 is equipped with an apparatus 2 for the analysis of urine. The integration of an apparatus 2 of this type into the sanitary facility makes it easy to conduct an analysis or examination of urine discharged into the sanitary facility 1 or of other body fluids.

[0073] The sanitary facility 1 comprises a floor-mounted or wall-hung flush toilet 3. The flush toilet 3 comprises a ceramic base body 4. The base body 4 comprises various surface sections, of which only the surface sections 4a-4d are described in detail below. With respect to a properly installed base body 4, this base body comprises upper surface sections 4a for the mounting of a lid and/or seat part (not shown), inner surface sections 4b, which form the boundaries of an inner, bowl-like area, into which a user can deposit excretions or body fluids, i.e., especially feces and urine; rear surface sections 4c, which make it possible to establish a connection to a pipeline (not shown) connected to a sewer; and front surface sections 4d.

[0074] The apparatus 2 is not visible in FIG. 1, because it is located behind a cover element 5 in the form of a ceramic faceplate. The cover element 5 can be held in place and in the proper position relative to the base body 4 of the flush toilet by means of suitably adapted fastening elements (not shown) in the form of, for example, angle brackets. In FIGS. 2 and 3 the cover element 5 has been removed, so that the apparatus 2, i.e., the components belonging to it, can be recognized.

[0075] FIGS. 4-5 show the apparatus 2, i.e., the housing part 6, belonging to it, in or on which the essential components or functional elements of the apparatus are accommodated or supported; the corresponding cover element 5 has been removed.

[0076] The essential parts or functional components of the apparatus 2 include a feed and discharge device 7, which is set up to deliver a certain quantity of urine to an analysis chamber 9, comprising at least one analysis zone 8, of a urine test strip 10 and to carry away a certain quantity of urine from an analysis chamber 9, comprising an analysis zone 8, of a urine test strip 10 or of one such test strip. The structure and function of the feed and discharge device 7 will be described in greater detail below on the basis of FIGS. 7-10 in particular.

[0077] The essential parts or functional components of the apparatus 2 also include a detection device 11, which is set up to detect a change in at least one optically detectable parameter in at least a certain area of the corresponding analysis zone 8 or of one such zone of the urine test strip 10 or of one such strip. The optically detectable parameter changes in an optically detectable manner as a function of the composition of a quantity of urine contacting a corresponding urine test strip analysis zone 8, i.e., for example, by a change in its color and/or by a change in its color intensity. Thus the color or color intensity, for example, of the analysis zone 8 is a corresponding optically detectable parameter. The detection device 11 is also set up to generate detection data, which describe at least one such optically detectable or detected parameter of an analysis zone 8 or a describe change in such a zone. So that the detection device 11 can detect a corresponding change in an optically detectable parameter, it comprises detection means in the form of optical scanners. The function of the detection device 11 will be described in greater detail below, especially in conjunction with FIGS. 7-10.

[0078] As can be derived especially clearly from FIGS. 2 and 5, a conveying device 12 in the form of a transport roller is rotatably supported on the housing part 6 of the apparatus 2. The conveying device 12 is set up to convey at least one urine test strip 10 into a defined detection zone of the apparatus, in which it is possible for the detection device 11 to detect a change in a corresponding optically detectable parameter in at least a certain area of a urine test strip analysis zone 8 and/or to convey the strip out of such a detection zone. A set 13 of several strip-like or belt-like urine test strips 10, which are serially connected to each other, can be unrolled from the conveying device 12 configured as a transport roller or rolled up onto the conveying device 12 configured as a transport roller; this set of test strips will be described in greater detail below in conjunction with FIG. 13.

[0079] FIG. 1 also shows a withdrawal device 14 on the base body of the flush toilet. The withdrawal device 14 is arranged inside an opening in the area of the inner surface sections 4b of the base body 4. The withdrawal device 14 serves to withdraw a certain quantity of urine while a user is urinating into the flush toilet 3, this quantity then being sent to the apparatus 2 for analysis. The structure and function of the withdrawal device 14 is described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 6.

[0080] On the basis of FIGS. 2 and 3 it can be seen that a first line section 15a of a feed line 15 of the feed and discharge device 7 of the apparatus leads to a tank 16. A tank 16 is therefore installed in a feed line 15 leading to the apparatus 2, in which tank a certain quantity of urine, e.g., approximately 200 mL, can be collected and held before the sample is actually delivered to the apparatus 2, i.e., to the feed and discharge device 7 of the apparatus. The tank 16 is therefore inserted between the withdrawal device 14 and the feed and discharge device 7 of the apparatus. The tank 16 is equipped with a vent device (not shown) in the form of a vent valve and with a level indicator device (not shown) in the form of a level sensor.

[0081] Proceeding from the tank 16, a second line section 15b of the feed line 15 leads to the feed and discharge device 7 of the apparatus. The first line section 15a of the feed line 15 is, for example, a flexible textile hose, and the second line section 15b of the feed line 15 is, for example, a length of laboratory tubing with a diameter smaller than that of the textile hose or of one such hose.

[0082] As can be seen, a fresh water line 17 connected to a flushing device 43 of the flush toilet opens out into the first line section 15b of the feed line 15 (compare FIG. 14 ff.). Both upstream and downstream of the connection of the fresh water line 17 to the feed line 15, a valve device 18, e.g., in the form of a magnetic valve, is installed in the first line section 15a of the feed line 15, i.e., on the feed side. A corresponding valve device 18 is also installed on the fresh water feed line side upstream of the connection area.

[0083] On the basis of FIGS. 2 and 3 it can also be seen that a discharge line 19 leads from the apparatus 2, i.e., in particular from the feed and discharge device 7 of the apparatus arranged on the housing part 6, to the interior space of the flush toilet 3 bounded by the inner surface sections 4b of the base body 2. Thus, after the urine has been analyzed by the apparatus 2, it is possible to return the urine to the flush toilet 3 and thus to send it to the drain pipe of the flush toilet. The discharge line 19 can also be a length of laboratory tubing.

[0084] The detachable mounting of the housing part 6 of the apparatus on the base body 4 of the flush toilet will now be explained on the basis of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows the base body 4 of the flush toilet before the housing part 6 is attached to it. FIG. 5 shows the base body 4 of the flush toilet after the housing part 6 has been attached. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the base body 4 is provided in the area of the exposed front surface sections 4d with fastening elements 20. The fastening elements 20 are attached to the base body 4 by means of, for example, an adhesive. The fastening elements 20 comprise threaded bolt-like fastening sections (not shown in detail), on which the housing part 6 can be mounted in a nonpositive manner, i.e., in particular by means of a screw joint. Of course, the housing part 6 comprises corresponding threaded receptacles or holes to make such attachment possible, i.e., for example, for the screw joint. Typically three corresponding fastening elements 20 are provided on the base body, which make it possible to obtain a three-point mounting of the housing part 6 on the base body 4.

[0085] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a withdrawal device 14 of the sanitary facility 1 or one such facility according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The withdrawal device 14, an isolated view of which is shown in FIG. 6, comprises a hollow-cylindrical, tubular element 21 passing through an opening in the base body 4; this tubular element is supported in such a way that it can be moved relative to a permanently mounted, disk-shaped closing element 22 on the base body and thus between an open position and closed position. The ability of the tubular element 21 to move between the open position and the closed position is indicated in FIG. 6 by the double arrow.

[0086] In the open position shown in FIG. 6, the tubular element 21, which has a funnel-shaped section forming the free end of the tubular element 21, has been moved away from the closing element 22 in such a way that urine can flow from the interior of the base body 4 in, i.e., through, the tubular element 21 and thus arrive in the first line section 15a of the feed line 15 to the feed and discharge device 7, this first line section being connected downstream from the withdrawal device 14. For this purpose, the tubular element 21 comprises on or in the area of its free end facing away from the base body 4 a connecting means (not shown) for establishing a connection to the feed line 15 leading to the feed and discharge device 7. A screen can be present in the connecting means or upstream from the connecting means.

[0087] When in the closed position, the tubular element 21 creates a sealing effect through its contact with the closing element 22. In other words, the tubular element 21, when in the closed position, rests against the closing element 22 to create a seal. This seal-producing contact is supported by a sealing element, e.g., in the form of an O-ring (not shown in detail), arranged around the outer circumference of the closing element 22.

[0088] Movements of the tubular element 21 are realized by means of a drive device 23 connected to it; this drive device can move the tubular element 21 in particular between the open position and the closed position. The drive device 23 comprises for this purpose, for example, a magnetic drive in the form of a rotary magnet coupled to the tubular element 21 by means of a pinion or gear wheel element 24. So that the tubular element 21 can be moved into the closed position or so that the movement of the tubular element 21 into the closed position can be supported, a spring (not shown) can be provided, by means of which an elastic force can be applied to the tubular element 21, i.e., a force which moves the tubular element into the closed position or reliably ensures that it will assume this closed position.

[0089] FIGS. 7-10 show schematic diagrams of an apparatus 2 for analyzing urine according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 7 and 8 show cross-sectional views of two different exemplary embodiments of an apparatus 2 mounted on a flush toilet; FIG. 9 shows an enlarged partial view of the apparatus 2 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7; and FIG. 10 shows an enlarged partial view of the apparatus 2 from above.

[0090] In regard to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, it should be pointed out that the housing part 6 on the apparatus has a 3-dimensional geometric shape slightly different from that shown in FIG. 3, which illustrates that there is in principle a certain freedom with which the apparatus 1, i.e., the components belonging to it, can be designed.

[0091] The essential difference between the two exemplary embodiments of the apparatus 2 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 consists in the number of transport rollers belonging to the conveying device 12. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7, only one conveying device 12 with a single transport roller, from which a corresponding set 13 of several serially connected strip-like or belt-like urine test strips 10 can be unrolled, is present; in contrast, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a conveying device 12 is provided with two transport rollers and also with deflection rollers, upstream and downstream from the transport rollers, the diameters of the deflection rollers in the exemplary embodiment being smaller than those of the transport rollers. Correspondingly, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, it is possible for a set 13 of several serially connected strip-like or belt-like urine test strips to be unrolled from a first transport roller in such a way that at least one urine test strip 10 to be conveyed into the detection zone of the detection device 11 can be or is moved into the detection zone and can be rolled up onto a second transport roller in such a way that it can be or is moved out of the detection zone.

[0092] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a separation device 25 downstream from the detection device 11 is provided (compare FIG. 9), which is set up to separate at least one urine test strip 10 from the set 13 of several strip-like or belt-like connection urine test strips 10. By means of the separation device 25, individual or several used urine test strips 10 can be separated from the set and thus handled independently, i.e., can be disposed of. The separation device 25 comprises for this purpose a blade, for example, or a laser (not shown in detail).

[0093] Urine test strips 10 which have been separated from the set 13 can be received by and collected in a receiving section 35, which serves to receive used urine test strips 10, i.e., in particular test strips which have been in the meantime treated with a certain quantity of urine, and is mounted detachably on the housing part 6.

[0094] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of the exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 7. As can be seen, a corresponding set 13 of serially connected urine test strips 10 extends between the gap formed between the detection device 11 and the feed and discharge device 7 and thus through a corresponding detection zone of the detection device 11. The guidance and positioning of the set 13 is assisted by a rotatably supported pimple wheel 26, which also forms part of the conveying device 12. The pimple wheel 26 comprises conveying sections formed by radially projecting pimples 27, arranged a certain distance apart around the circumference, to convey at least one urine test strip 10. The rotation of the pimple wheel 26 can transport the urine test strips 10 continuously or discontinuously through the detection zone.

[0095] On the basis of FIGS. 9 and 10 it can be seen that the feed and discharge device 7 comprises a cannula-like feed element 28 capable of moving in linear or translational fashion and a cannula-like discharge element 29, movably supported in corresponding fashion. The feed element 28 serves to deliver a certain quantity of urine to a delivery zone 33 of an analysis chamber 9 of a urine test strip 10, whereas the discharge element 29 serves to carry away a certain quantity of urine from a discharge zone 34 of an analysis chamber 9 of a urine test strip 10.

[0096] To realize movements of the feed element 28 and of the discharge element 29, the feed and discharge device 7 comprises a drive device 32 connected to them. The drive device 32 comprises an electric motor (not shown). The drive device 32 makes it possible to move the feed or discharge element 28, 29 toward the delivery zone 33 or the discharge zone 34 of the urine test strip or toward one such delivery or discharge zone in such a way that the cannula-like tip of the feed or discharge element 28, 29 penetrates into the delivery and/or discharge zone 33, 34 of the urine test strip and thus delivers or carries away a certain quantity of urine into or out of the analysis chamber 9 of the urine test strip. The movable support and thus the axis of the movement of the feed element 28 and of the discharge element 29 are indicated by the double arrow.

[0097] It can be seen that the drive device 32 is connected by several components such as a gear wheel 30 and a toothed rack 32 meshing with it to the feed and discharge element 28, 29, so that rotational movements of a take-off shaft (not shown) of the drive device can be converted by the gear wheel 30 and the toothed rack 31 into translational movements of the feed element 28 and of the discharge element 29.

[0098] The apparatus 2 is also equipped with a position-determining device 36 arranged above the detection device 11; this position-determining device is set up to determine the position of a urine test strip 10 as it pertains to the detection of a corresponding optically detectable parameter of an analysis zone 8 of the urine test strip, e.g., to the detection of a change in such a parameter, by means of the detection device 11. Another position-determining device 36, arranged underneath the detection device 11, is set up to determine a starting position of the separation device 25. The starting position of the separation device 25 is defined as the position in which no separation of a urine test strip 10 from the set 13 occurs. Each of the position-determining devices 36 comprises light barriers for the stated purposes.

[0099] Although not visible in FIGS. 7-10, the apparatus 2 also comprises a pump device 37 installed in a feed line 15 leading to the feed element 28, and a pump device 37 installed in a discharge line leading from a discharge element 29. The pump devices 37 are illustrated schematically, however, in FIG. 14 ff. The pump devices 37, which can be, for example, small centrifugal pumps, serve in particular to convey urine through the apparatus 2, i.e., in particular to convey, i.e., to pump, it into a corresponding urine test strip analysis chamber 9 and to convey, i.e., to pump, it from a corresponding urine test strip analysis chamber 9.

[0100] The apparatus 2 is also equipped with a pressure-determining device 38, which is set up to determine the pressure of a quantity of urine delivered to the urine test strip delivery zone 33; it determines, for example, the pressure of the quantity of urine supplied through the feed element 28. The pressure-determining device 38 comprises for this purpose suitably adapted pressure sensors. The pressure-determining device 38 is also represented schematically in FIG. 14 ff. On the basis of the pressure of a quantity of urine supplied to the urine test strip delivery zone 33 which can be determined by such a pressure-determining device 38, conclusions can be drawn concerning any gas bubbles which may be present, especially air bubbles, within the quantity of urine, which bubbles may possibly impair the information value of the detection data.

[0101] The apparatus 2 also comprises a bypass line 41, shown schematically in FIG. 14 ff, which connects the feed line 15 leading to a feed element 28 and a discharge line 19 leading to a discharge element 29. A valve device 42 for opening and closing the bypass line 41 is installed in the bypass line 41.

[0102] FIG. 10 shows an enlarged, partial view, from above, of the apparatus 2. In FIG. 10, one can see the movable support of the feed and discharge elements 28, 29 belonging to the feed and discharge device 7, as indicated again by a double arrow. In the diagram of FIG. 10, the feed and discharge elements 28, 29, which typically are driven, i.e., moved, simultaneously and uniformly, are a certain distance away from the urine test strip 10, i.e., from a corresponding urine test strip delivery zone 33 and a urine test strip discharge zone 34. The delivery or discharge of a certain quantity of urine to the urine test strip analysis chamber 9 is not possible until the feed element 28 has penetrated into the urine test strip delivery zone 33 and the discharge element 29 has penetrated into the urine test strip discharge zone 34. As can be seen, the urine test strip delivery zone 33 and the urine test strip discharge zone 34 are defined in structural terms by a dome-shaped or hemispherical cap-like convexity.

[0103] The other components of a urine test strip 10 forming part of a urine test strip device 39 are described below with reference to FIGS. 11-13, each of which shows a schematic diagram of a urine test strip device 39 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of single urine test strip 10; FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view along the line XII-XII of FIG. 11; and FIG. 13 shows a view from above of a set 13 of several serially connected strip-like or belt-like urine test strips 10.

[0104] It can be seen in FIG. 11 that a single urine test strip 10 typically has a rectangular outline. An analysis chamber 9 comprising an analysis zone 8 for the urinalysis is located between an upper encapsulating element section 40a and a lower encapsulating element 40b. The upper encapsulating element section 40a and the lower encapsulating element section 40b form together an encapsulating element 40, by which the analysis zone 8 is encapsulated and thus protected from external influences, i.e., in particular from moisture.

[0105] The upper encapsulating element section 40a is configured as a complex 3-dimensional molded part and comprises an essentially flat middle wall section forming the boundary of the analysis chamber 9 and two dome-like or hemispherical cap-like lateral wall sections forming the boundary of the delivery zone 33 and the discharge zone 34. Of course, there is a passage between the delivery and discharge zones 33, 34 and the analysis chamber 8, which means that the two zones communicate with each other.

[0106] The upper encapsulating element section 40a is made of a transparent plastic material such as PC. The plastic material is so transparent that a change in an optically detectable parameter of the analysis zone 8, i.e., a color change, for example, can be detected by the detection device 11.

[0107] The lower encapsulating element section 40b does not have a complex 3-dimensional shape but is rather flat or sheet-like. The lower encapsulating element section 40b thus represents a flat part or a film. Its thickness is typically in the range of 30-120 μm, especially in the range of 70-100 μm.

[0108] The lower encapsulating element 40b is made of an elastic plastic material such as PE or PET, for example, or of a plastic composite material. With respect to the elastic properties, the lower encapsulating element section 40b can also be made out of a thermoplastic elastomer, i.e., TPO and/or TPV, for example.

[0109] The elastic properties of the lower encapsulating element section 40b make it possible for a certain area of a feed or discharge element 28, 29 which has penetrated into and thus perforated the delivery or discharge zone 33, 34 to be surrounded with a sealing action. The lower encapsulating element section 40b therefore clings closely to a feed or discharge element 28, 29 which is penetrating or has penetrated into the delivery or discharge zone 33, 34, which ensures that no leakage occurs while a certain quantity of urine is being delivered to or carried away from the urine test strip 10.

[0110] The elastic properties of the lower encapsulating element section 40b also make it possible for a perforated area to be or to become sealed off by the areas of material surrounding it. The lower encapsulating element section 40b thus also serves as a septum or as a sealing membrane, as a result of which it is ensured that no leakage occurs even after a certain quantity of urine has been delivered to or carried away from the urine test strip 10.

[0111] FIG. 13 shows a set 13 of several urine test strips 10. The urine test strips 10 are connected to each other to form a strip or belt. The set 13 can thus be referred to as or considered a strip comprising several urine test strips 10 or as a belt comprising several urine test strips 10. As can be seen, the urine test strips 10 are connected to each other along their long sides. The connection between corresponding urine test strips 10 is formed in particular by the associated encapsulating elements 40, at least certain areas of which are connected to each other to form continuous or discontinuous connection areas. The encapsulating elements 40 of adjacent urine test strips 10 can be bonded together with an adhesive or welded together.

[0112] On the basis of FIGS. 14-19, which show schematic diagrams of various operating modes of a sanitary facility 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, various exemplary embodiments of a method for the operation of a sanitary facility 1 with an apparatus 2 belonging to it are described below. The description of the operating modes is based on a configuration of the sanitary facility 1, i.e., of the apparatus 2, illustrated in FIG. 14 ff as described above. Fluid flows are indicated generally in FIG. 14 ff. by arrows. A pump device of the flushing device is also indicated by the reference number 37.

[0113] FIG. 14 shows by way of example an operating mode for the realization of a withdrawal of a certain quantity of urine and for an analysis of it, i.e., in particular for the acquisition of corresponding detection data. The quantity of urine withdrawn by the withdrawal device 14 is conveyed or pumped by the pump device 37 through the feed line 15 into the urine test strip 10, i.e., over the analysis zone 8 and thus through the analysis chamber 9. The quantity of urine is then, i.e., in particular after the analysis and the generation of the detection data, conveyed or pumped out of the urine test strip 10 and from the apparatus 2 via the discharge line 19. Of course, the corresponding feed elements 28 or discharge elements 29 of the apparatus have previously penetrated into urine test strip delivery or discharge zones 33, 34. The valve device 42 installed in the bypass line 41 is closed during this phase. The detection device 11 generates a corresponding set of detection data, which, as will be described further below, is transmitted to an evaluation device (not shown), integrated into the apparatus 2 or arranged externally, i.e., spatially separated from the apparatus 2.

[0114] FIG. 15 shows by way of example an operating mode for the realization of an emptying of the feed line 15 and of the discharge line 19. The valve device 42 installed in the bypass line 41 is opened in this phase, so that any residual quantities of urine which may be present in the feed line 15 or in the discharge line 19 can be pumped away.

[0115] FIG. 16 shows by way of example an operating mode for the realization of a flushing of the feed line 15 and of the withdrawal device 14 upstream of it. As can be seen, flushing fluid, in particular water provided by the fresh water feed line 17, is conveyed, i.e., pumped, through the feed line 15 and through the withdrawal device 14 by a flushing device 43 of the flush toilet. The valve devices 18 and the valve device 42 installed in the bypass line 41 are closed during this phase, so that the flushing fluid cannot flow into either the feed and discharge device 7 or into the discharge line 19.

[0116] FIG. 17 shows an example of an operating mode for the realization of an emptying of the feed line 15, following the flushing of the feed line 15, and of the emptying of the withdrawal device 14 upstream of the feed line. The emptying of the feed line 15 and of the withdrawal device 14 is accomplished by the opening of the valve device 42 installed in the bypass line 41, so that flushing fluid residues can be conveyed, i.e., pumped, via the discharge line 19 out of the feed line 15 and out of the withdrawal device 14.

[0117] FIG. 18 shows an example of an operating mode for the realization of a flushing of the feed and discharge device 7 and of a urine test strip 10. As can be seen, flushing fluid, provided by the flush toilet flushing device 43 via the fresh water feed line 17, in particular water, is conveyed, i.e., pumped, through the feed and discharge device 7 and through the urine test strip 10, i.e., in particular through the urine test strip analysis chamber 9. The valve devices 18 and the valve device 42 installed in the bypass line 41 are switched in such a way that during this phase the flushing fluid cannot flow into the feed line 15.

[0118] Finally, FIG. 19 shows an example of an operating mode for the realization of a flushing of the discharge line 19, which can be carried out after the flushing of the feed and discharge device 7 and of the urine test strip 10. As can be seen, flushing fluid, especially water provided by the flush toilet flushing device 43 via the fresh water feed line 17 is conveyed, i.e., pumped, through the discharge line 19. The valve devices 18 and the valve device 42 installed in the bypass line 41 are closed during this phase so that the flushing fluid cannot flow into either the feed line 15 or into the feed and discharge device 7.

[0119] The operation of the sanitary facility 1, i.e., of the apparatus 2, i.e., in particular the execution of the operating modes described with reference to FIGS. 14-19, are controlled by a central control unit (not shown).

[0120] The control unit communicates for this purpose with all of the devices of the apparatus. In the control unit there is typically at least one control program, according to which a concerted, i.e., sequentially coordinated, control of the operation of the feed and discharge device 7, of the detection device 11, and of other devices belonging to the apparatus 2 is possible. The latter include in particular appropriate pressure-determining devices 38, pump devices 37, and the valve devices 18, 42.

[0121] The detection device 11 is typically set up to communicate with at least one evaluation unit, which is set up to evaluate the detection data generated by the detection device and to acquire evaluation data describing an analysis of the urine present on the analysis zone of the urine test strip. As previously mentioned, the evaluation unit can be part of the apparatus 2 or can be an external unit. In the latter case, the apparatus 2 comprises a transmitting and/or receiving device (not shown) assigned to the detection device 11, so that corresponding detection data can be transmitted in either hard-wired or wireless fashion. The sanitary facility 1, i.e., the apparatus 2, is therefore connected by means of Bluetooth, WiFi, etc., to a local or global data network, i.e., for example, to a local intranet or to the Internet or is integrated into such a network. Correspondingly, detection data can be transmitted to appropriate evaluation units, in which, on the basis of the detection data, conclusions can be drawn concerning the chemical composition and/or the percentages of the constituents of the quantity of urine applied to the analysis zone.