Device and method for assessing drug levels within physiological fluids

摘要

A device for monitoring the concentration of a chemical component within a patient's physiological fluid is provided, comprising: (a) an electrode assembly for immersion within a patient's saliva, including: a ion selective electrode and a reference electrode for providing a voltage signal; and an interface element for electrically connecting the electrode assembly to a microprocessor; (b) a cup for accommodating a volume of a patient's saliva; (c) a stand element for holding the electrode assembly at a predetermined position with relation to the cup; and (d) a microprocessor for processing the voltage signal, the microprocessor determining the concentration of the chemical component within the volume of saliva and calculates the concentration of the chemical component within the physiological fluid according to a selected mathematical model. Further according to the present invention there is provided a sampling kit for collecting a predetermined volume of a patient's saliva, including: (a) a syringe-like element, including: (i) a substantially elongated tubular member; (ii) a substantially elongated piston member for insertion into the tubular member; and (b) a sponge member for absorbing the patient's saliva, the sponge member for insertion into the tubular member, the sponge member being compressible by means of the piston member so as to enable extraction of the patient's saliva therefrom into a collecting cup.