Method for limiting the course of treatment for an infestation of lice
US5658750A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12Q2304/24
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods of detecting louse infestations and monitoring the course of insecticidal treatments are disclosed. Samples of hair or suspected egg cases removed from the hair are exposed to a vital indicator to provide a visual, colorimetric indication of their viability. In one embodiment, the indicator changes color by an amount directly related to cell metabolic activity; following exposure, the egg casing(s), or a solution containing them and the agent, are compared with a color chart having multiple, differently colored entries, each entry corresponding to a different degree of cell viability. From this comparison, an indication of viability, corresponding to the progress of treatment or the presence of an infestation, is obtained. In other embodiments, the viability indicator is a colored material taken up by live cells but not dead ones, or by dead cells but not live ones; the free material is washed away following exposure, after which the egg casing(s) themselves are visually inspected. Once again, the degree of color change indicates cell viability.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.