Fluid absorbent quantitative test device

Abstract

An absorbent quantitative test device in the form of a flat patch. When placed on the skin of a subject; the device collects a fixed volume of sweat. It is particularly intended to be used in screen testing for cystic fibrosis by measuring the chloride level in sweat and providing a visual indication when the level is in excess of a predetermined concentration. A fill tab indicator undergoes a color change when the fixed volume of sweat has been collected signifying completion of the test. The device includes two concentric circular reaction areas of chemically treated absorbent paper or the like. The sweat sample is introduced into the device at the center of the first or inner circular reaction area which contains a chemical composition capable of reacting with all chloride in the sweat sample below a predetermined concentration value to screen out that amount of chloride. A second or outer ring-shaped reaction area contains a chemical composition which indicates a color change for any chloride reaching it in excess of the predetermined concentration value. The color change in the outer ring-shaped portion thereby provides a quantitative indication of the presence of a concentration of chloride in the subject' s sweat in excess of the predetermined concentration level.