WO2008080220A1

WO2008080220A1 - Excrement testing device, and method of use

Info

Publication number: WO2008080220A1
Application number: PCT/CA2007/002326
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven N. Cummings; Tim E. Vale; Ivan C. Vance
Original assignee: Cummings Steven N; Vale Tim E; Vance Ivan C
Priority date: 2006-12-29
Filing date: 2007-12-21
Publication date: 2008-07-10

Abstract

Disclosed herein are devices for mounting to a toilet, and for collecting and /or testing an excreted biological sample from a patient. In certain exemplary embodiments, the devices may be comprised of a folded planar sheet of biodegradable, flushable material comprising a test strip for testing the sample very soon after excretion from the patient. Also disclosed are methods involving the devices.

Description

EXCREMENT TESTING DEVICE, AND METHOD OF USE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of excrement collection and / or testing, and in particular the collection and testing of urine and / or faeces.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Samples of urine and faeces can provide valuable information regarding the health or biochemistry of a patient. The presence or absence of various metabolites, or other excreted components such as blood cells, may permit a medical practitioner to identify a disease condition. To provide just a few examples, a presence of erythrocytes in urine or faeces may be indicative of a disease of the liver, bowel or urinary system; a presence of sugars may be indicative of diabetes; and a presence of nitrites and / or white blood cells may be indicative of a urinary tract infection. Many other disease conditions, too numerous to list, may be suggested or diagnosed through sampling of urine or faeces, and these would be readily apparent to the skilled artisan. In other circumstances, it may be useful to test excreted biological specimens for the purposes of assessing nutrition, for example to detect dietary insufficiencies, or in the case of athletes to detect use of inappropriate or illegal nutritional or performance enhancing substances. In still further circumstances, hormones may be detected in excreted biological specimens. For example, it is well known in the art that a detection of low levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine may be useful in the early-stage detection of female pregnancy.

However, the provision of a useful, excreted biological sample may be problematic for patients, especially those who are physically challenged in some way. For example, patients who are elderly, disabled, obese, pregnant, or very young children may find the provision of such a specimen a challenging or undignified experience. To assist in this regard, some devices of the prior art have been developed to assist in the collection of urine and / or faeces. Typically, such devices are affixed in some way to a toilet or toilet bowl so that a patient can provide an excreted biological sample in the privacy of a washroom or cubical. Other toilet-mounted devices may include some form of testing means, such as a test strip comprising chemicals that change colour to indicate a presence or an absence of a substance or metabolite of interest.

Often, the devices of the prior art include plastic or metal portions for secure attachment to the toilet, and a cup or other detachable receiving portion to receive the sample. Once a sample has been provided, the cup or detachable receiving portion is removed from the device, and transferred elsewhere for testing. The device, optionally including the cup or detachable receiving portion, is then cleaned and sterilized for use by another patient. Other devices of the prior art may be hand held, such that the user can hold the device in a position appropriate for urine and / or faeces collection.

It is often important to avoid contact between the excreted sample, and other body parts of patients, laboratory workers (testing the sample) or medical practitioners. Any inappropriate contact may reduce the level of hygiene of the collection and / or testing procedure for those involved. Further, such contact may contaminate the sample, giving rise to false or misleading test results. In some medical clinics and institutes, it may be necessary to collect and test dozens, or perhaps hundreds of excreted biological samples in any given day. Therefore, high quality collection and testing procedures are paramount to ensure the hygiene and safety of the patients and staff, and further to avoid contamination of the samples. There remains a continuing need to develop improved devices and methods for urine and / or faeces collection and / or testing, which are simple to use, effective, and reliable. Further, there remains a need to develop improved devices that are inexpensive, quick, simple, and hygienic to use by both patients and medical practitioners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention, at least in preferred embodiments, to provide a device for collecting and testing excrement (urine or faeces) of a patient. It is another object of the present invention, at least in preferred embodiments, to provide method for collecting and testing excrement (urine or faeces) of a patient. In one aspect of the invention there is provided a device for collecting and / or testing excrement of a patient seated on a toilet, the device comprising: an excrement receiving portion for receiving said excrement from said patient prior to contact of said excrement with said toilet or water retained therein; at least two suspension arms each extending from the excrement receiving portion, each including attachment means at an end opposite said excrement receiving portion, for attachment to a seat or bowl of said toilet, thereby to retain the excrement receiving portion within or above the toilet to receive excrement, without contact with the toilet, toilet bowl, or water retained therein; and optionally at least one testing means positioned to contact the excrement when received in the excrement receiving portion.

In another aspect the present invention provides a package comprising a stack of devices of the invention, each comprising a planar sheet of material.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for collecting and / or testing excrement of a patient for a medical, disease, or nutritional condition, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a device of the invention to a toilet; sitting the patient on the toilet; receiving excrement from the patient onto the device whilst the patient is seated on the toilet; optionally analyzing the testing means to obtain a test result.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a kit for collecting and / or testing excrement of a patient seated on a toilet, the kit comprising:

(1) a device including an excrement receiving portion for receiving said excrement from said patient prior to contact of said excrement with said toilet or water retained therein; and at least two suspension arms each extending from the excrement receiving portion, each including attachment means at an end opposite said excrement receiving portion, for attachment to a seat or bowl of said toilet, thereby to retain the excrement receiving portion within or above the toilet to receive excrement, without contact with the toilet, toilet bowl, or water retained therein; and

(2) optionally at least one testing means for testing the excrement. In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for testing excrement of a patient for a medical, disease, or nutritional condition, the method comprising the steps of: providing a device of the invention comprising a substantially planar sheet of material, wherein the testing means comprises a removable test strip comprising a chemical substance at or upon one end thereof for contact with the excrement when in the excrement receiving portion; folding a portion of the device into a cupped portion thereby to form said excrement receiving portion. attaching the device to a toilet; sitting the patient on the toilet; receiving excrement from the patient onto the device whilst the patient is seated on the toilet, each suspension arm optionally comprising a flexible material, such that during the step of receiving the excrement receiving portion is optionally movable relative to a seat or bowl of the toilet so that a patient can selectively move the excrement receiving portion into and out of a stream of urine, thereby to provide a mid-stream urine sample, as required; analyzing the testing means by observing a colour change, thereby to obtain a test result; optionally removing the test strip from the device; and flushing the device away down the toilet.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a use of a device of the invention, for testing an excreted biological sample of a patient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure Ia is a plan view of a preferred device of the present invention, after folding portions of the device to form an excrement receiving portion. Figure Ib is a plan view of a preferred device of the present invention, after folding portions of the device to form an excrement receiving portion.

Figure 2a is a perspective view of a preferred device of the present invention.

Figure 2b is a perspective view of a preferred device of the present invention.

Figure 3 a is a rear view of a preferred device of the present invention. Figure 3b is a rear view of a preferred device of the present invention.

Figure 4a is a side elevational view of a preferred device of the present invention.

Figure 4b is a side elevational view of a preferred device of the present invention.

Figure 5a is a plan view of a preferred device of the present invention, prior to folding portions of the device to form an excrement receiving portion. Figure 5b is a plan view of a preferred device of the present invention, prior to folding portions of the device to form an excrement receiving portion.

Figure 6 is a preferred method of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a preferred method of the present invention.

DEFINITIONS:

Attachment means: refers to any means by which a device of the present invention may be attached to a toilet or part thereof. In selected embodiments, the attachment means may include some form of adhesive to semi-permanently or temporarily stick the device to the toilet. In other embodiments, the attachment means may include some form of grasp, clip, hook, or tie, to secure the device to the toilet. The invention encompasses the use of still further means of attachment, providing the device is secured to the toilet for a time sufficient for a patient to provide a excrement sample onto the device. Excrement: refers to any material ejected from a patient by urination and / or defecation. Such excrement may include urine and components normally or abnormally found therein, and / or such excrement may include faeces and components normally or abnormally found therein.

Excrement receiving portion: any portion of the device of the present invention adapted to at least cause contact between excrement received from a patient and a testing means, or at least to retain a portion of the excrement for optional transfer to a receptical.

Planar sheet of material: refers to any substantially flat sheet of material that may still be flexible, bendable, foldable, or creasable.

Preferred / preferably: unless otherwise stated, preferably or preferred relates to features of the broadest embodiments of the invention.

Testing means: refers to any article or device that is able to test excrement to confirm via visual or otherwise readable means for a presence or absence of a metabolite or substance in excrement. Such a testing means may comprise a probe or sampler combined with electronic or spectroscopic means to conduct the testing. In other embodiments the testing means may comprise for example a test strip with at least one chemical indicator of the presence or otherwise or the metabolite or substance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Excrement sample collection and testing from a patient often remains a cumbersome and wasteful process. Each year, enormous quantities of plastic containers are incinerated, sterilized, or otherwise disposed of by hospitals and medical clinics, in the interests of maintaining hygiene and avoiding contamination of biological samples. The inventors have endeavoured to consider ways to reduce hospital wastage, to reduce the costs of excrement sampling and testing, and to improve the reliability of such testing by conducting the test as soon as possible after urination or defecation.

To this end, the device of the present invention is intended for collecting and / or testing a patient's or candidate's excrement for a presence of one or more substances such as metabolites. At least in preferred embodiments, the device permits testing of a patient's excrement in a relatively rapid and dignified manner, wherein the patient can dispose of at least the main portion of the device - for example by flushing it away. Moreover the device, at least in preferred embodiments, avoids the need for expensive and wasteful excrement containers. The test may be performed in situ in or near the toilet very soon after the excrement has been ejected. Further, this reduces a possibility of sample contamination as general handling of the sample is minimized prior to the test reaction. The device may, in selected embodiments, be suitable for flat-packing prior to use, thereby facilitating transportation and handling. The biodegradability of the device, in preferred embodiments, further helps to reduce hospital waste. Further advantages of the device of the present invention, and its use, will be apparent from the foregoing.

In one selected embodiment of the invention there is provided a device for collecting and / or testing excrement of a patient seated on a toilet, the device comprising: firstly an excrement receiving portion for receiving the excrement from the patient prior to contact of the excrement with the toilet or water retained therein; at least two suspension arms each extending from the excrement receiving portion, each including attachment means at an end opposite the excrement receiving portion, for attachment to a seat or bowl of the toilet, thereby to retain the excrement receiving portion within or above the toilet to receive excrement, without contact with the toilet, toilet bowl, or water retained therein; and optionally at least one testing means positioned to contact the excrement when received in the excrement receiving portion. The excrement receiving portion typically comprises any part of the device that is able to hold a portion of the excrement adjacent the testing means even for a temporary period or a very short period of time, sufficient for the testing means to conduct the test. In more preferred embodiments, the excrement receiving portion may include a cup or cup-like portion suitable to retain a quantity of the excrement prior to removal of the device from the toilet. Importantly, the excrement receiving portion must be retained by the device away or above the bowl of the toilet or water contained therein so that contact between the excrement receiving portion and the toilet or water is avoided. In this way, the excrement may be allowed to contact the testing means substantially without contamination from other sources. The attachment arms may be attached to, or integral with, the excrement receiving portion, and may be comprised of the same or a different material. At least two attachment arms may be required for secure attachment to the toilet seat or bowl. However, a skilled artisan will appreciate that three or more arms are preferred to better secure the device, and reliably position the excrement receiving portion to receive excrement from the patient. In preferred embodiments, the arms may be comprised of a flexible material, more preferably a resiliently flexible material. In this way, the user of the device may secure the arms to the toilet, and then by virtue of the flexibility of the arms move the excrement receiving portion into and / or out of a flow of excrement. Importantly, this allows the user to select which portion of the excrement to collect for testing, for example to provide analysis of a mid-stream flow of urine. Each attachment means on each suspension arm preferably includes a non- permanent adhesive such that each of the suspension arms may be selectively attached to the toilet seat or bowl, and selectively detached from the toilet seat or bowl prior to or during disposal or flushing of the device. For example, a type of adhesive commonly known for Post-it^® Notes may be a suitable example. Where the device includes a tongue portion draped into the toilet water (discussed in more detail below) the use of a non-permanent adhesive may be particularly preferred so that after use, the flushing action of the toilet can drag the device down into the toilet water by auto- detachment of the suspension arms from the toilet seat or bowl.

The testing means may comprise any suitable means for testing the excrement. Preferably, the testing means functions via contact with the excrement, for example to induce a chemical reaction in the testing means. The chemical reaction may, for example, give rise to a colour change in the testing means that is obvious through visual inspection. The testing means may be placed on or integral with the excrement receiving portion, or alternatively may take the form of a removable test strip. The use of a removable test strip is particularly preferred, since this may allow the user of the device to remove the test strip after use, but prior to disposal, of the device. Transfer of the test strip to a medical professional is more discreet for the patient that transfer of the entire device, which may be soiled or wet from contact with the excrement. Moreover, if the device is substantially biodegradable or flushable, the user may remove the test strip prior to flushing away or otherwise discarding the device.

The device of the invention may comprise any material, and have any configuration, providing that it achieves the goal of excrement sample collection and / or testing as described. However, in particularly preferred embodiments, the device may comprise a planar sheet of material, from which is cut or stamped a template shape suitable to be folded into a desired form. By providing the device, at least initially prior to use, in planar sheet form, multiple devices may be stacked and flat- packed together. Such packing may be especially useful to facilitate shipping and handling until the point of use. Further, the use of a planar sheet of material avoids the need for bulkier or heavier plastic or metallic devices that are typical of the prior art. Such devices are commonly more expensive and complex to manufacture, and more difficult to pack, ship, sterilize and dispose of.

In alternative embodiments, the device may involve a folded and / or glued planar sheet of material, such that a plurality of the devices are stacked together in a folded manner. This may be preferred, since each test strip may be sandwiched between and protected within the folded sides of each device once packed.

The use of a planar sheet of material also makes the device of the present invention very light and easy to handle in a clinical setting. For example, a stack of such devices could be removed from or dispensed from a storage box, so that a medical practitioner could easily pull the devices from the box, one at a time, when required. Then upon use, the folded parts of the device can be folded or unfolded as required, for example according to pre-positioned creases and fold-lines, to form the excrement receiving portion (if necessary) and to position the suspension arms appropriately.

Further the device of the present invention may be comprised of any suitable material to fulfill the device's functions. In selected embodiments, the device may be comprised of a biodegradable material such as a biodegradable plastic, fiber, resin, paper, pulp, or wood-based material. More preferably, the device is made from a paper, optionally coated or impregnated with a water repellent material such as a wax, resin or oil-based material, thereby to improve the resiliency of the device to water or other aqueous substances. Preferably, the water-repellent material is also biodegradable. For example, a wax-coated paper may be preferred since it is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and yet may have a degree of structural resiliency to maintain shape and configuration during use, particularly when folds or creases are introduced. Flushable materials are also particularly preferred.

Figures Ia and Ib illustrate plan views, and Figures 2a and 2b illustrate perspective views, of a preferred device of the present invention formed by manipulation of a planar sheet of material. The device comprises a bottom part 1 of a cup-like excrement receiving portion 2 delimited by folding walls 3 for receiving the sample. Suspension arms 4 have self-adhesive ends 5 which serve to attach the device to the toilet bowl in such a way that the receiving portion 2 is suspended below the seat, but above the water level contained therein. A test strip 6 is built-in (Ia, 2a) or absent and/or inserted (Ib, 2b) on the front part of the device for obtaining test results. The strip 6 lays in a way that it is in contact with the excrement received in the receiving portion 2. Walls 3 may be joined or attached together by any suitable means to form excrement receiving portion 2, including for example the use of tabs or slots (not shown) or any form of adhesive (not shown).

Figures 3a and 3b are rear views of a preferred testing device. The back part of the foldable walls 3 is shown. It can be seen that, when the device is folded to generate a cup-like receiving portion 2, two parts of the walls 3 superimpose or overlap to form a rear wall 7.

Figures 4a and 4b are elevation views of preferred device. It can be seen in Figure 4a that the elongated part of the strip 6 lies near, adjacent, or flush with the front suspension arm 8 when the walls 3 are folded in position to produce the excrement receiving portion 2. In 4b, the strip is absent and can be introduced, if necessary, in the same portion of the device, lying on the front suspension arm 8.

Figures 5a and 5b are planar views of a preferred device. The collection device is shown unfolded as a planar sheet of material as it would be manufactured. In the middle, the bottom part 1 is surrounded by the foldable walls 3 which will delimit the receiving portion 2 once folded. A folding pattern may be created within the material to be folded in the desired shape, as shown in Figure 5b. Suspension arms 4 having attachment means 5 for mounting to a toilet bowl are shown. In Figure 5a there is shown the testing strip 6 and the front suspension arm 8, whereas in Figure 5b there is shown the front arm 8 and an area 9 where the test strip can be inserted or laid. Once the device is folded according to the predetermined folding pattern, the testing strip 6 (Figure 5a) or the portion for inserting it 9 (Figure 5b) become superimposed with front arm 8.

Although not illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the device of the present invention may further comprise a tongue portion having any configuration, generally extending from the excrement receiving portion so that it extends or drapes into water contained in the toilet when the device is attached to the toilet. The tongue portion may simply help to retain the device in position above the water in the toilet. However, in preferred embodiments the tongue portion if present may facilitate disposal of the device by flushing. Specifically, the tongue portion may be dragged downwardly or otherwise away with water upon flushing by virtue of its position in the toilet. In this way, the tongue portion may further drag other parts, or preferably the entirety of the device, into the toilet so that the device may be flushed away (optionally without a testing means if removed prior to flushing). Preferably, this may occur once the device has been used, and test results obtained and / or a test strip removed. The tongue may take any shape and form, and be attached to any position on the device, providing that its desired function is fulfilled. Detachment of the device may be facilitated during flushing if the attachment means is attached or bonded only weakly to the toilet seat or bowl.

In Figures 1 to 5, selected embodiments illustrate the presence of a test strip, or a position for locating a test strip, adjacent or in line with a suspension arm. It will be appreciated that the test strip, or other testing means, may be located on the device at any location providing some contact is made between a test portion of the test strip and excrement retained in or on the excrement receiving portion of the device. Moreover, the test strip may be placed on or affixed to the remainder of the device at any time, for example prior to packing or transportation, or at the point of end use. It may be desired to package and transport a plurality of devices for a specific end use, for example pregnancy testing in a clinic. Alternatively, where the devices are used for multiple purposes in a hospital or clinic, it may be desirable to package and transport devices to the hospital or clinic without testing means attached. As such, the present invention further encompasses a kit for collecting and / or testing excrement of a patient seated on a toilet, the kit comprising:

(1) a device including an excrement receiving portion for receiving said excrement from said patient prior to contact of said excrement with said toilet or water retained therein; and at least two suspension arms each extending from the excrement receiving portion, each including attachment means at an end opposite said excrement receiving portion, for attachment to a seat or bowl of said toilet, thereby to retain the excrement receiving portion within the toilet to receive excrement, without contact with the toilet, toilet bowl, or water retained therein; and

(2) optionally at least one testing means for testing the excrement either after transfer of the excrement to a receptacle, or whilst the excrement is retained or received in the excrement receiving portion.

Turning now to Figure 6, there is illustrated a preferred method of the invention for testing excrement of a patient for a medical, disease, or nutritional condition, the method comprising the steps of: in step 101 attaching a device of the invention to a toilet; in step 102 sitting the patient on the toilet; in step 103 receiving excrement from the patient onto the device whilst the patient is seated on the toilet; in step 104 analyzing the testing means to obtain a test result. If the device comprises a planar sheet of material, then the method may further comprise an initial step of: folding a portion of the device into a cupped portion thereby to form the excrement receiving portion.

In a preferred method of the invention the testing means is a test-strip comprising a chemical substance at or upon one end of the test-strip for contact with the excrement when in the excrement receiving portion, the step of analyzing comprising observing a colour change on the test strip. In this regard, the method may further comprising the optional step of: removing the test strip from the device.

Further, if the device comprises a biodegradable material, the method may further comprise the step of: flushing the device down the toilet, thereby to dispose of the device. For example, the device may preferably further comprise a tongue portion extending from the excrement receiving portion, such that during the step of attaching at least a portion of the tongue portion drapes or otherwise extends into water retained in the toilet, and during the step of flushing the tongue portion and all of the device is drawn into the toilet and flushed away.

In preferred methods, each suspension arm comprises a flexible material, such that during the step of receiving the excrement receiving portion is movable relative to a seat or bowl of the toilet so that a patient can selectively move the excrement receiving portion into and out of a stream of urine, thereby to provide a mid-stream urine sample, as required.

Another preferred method of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 7. This preferred method is for testing excrement of a patient for a medical, disease, or nutritional condition, the method comprising: in step 201 providing a device of the invention comprising a planar sheet of material, wherein the testing means comprises a removable test strip comprising a chemical substance at or upon one end thereof for contact with the excrement when in the excrement receiving portion; in step 202 folding a portion of the device into a cupped portion thereby to form said excrement receiving portion. in step 203 attaching the device to a toilet; in step 204 sitting the patient on the toilet; in step 205 receiving excrement from the patient onto the device whilst the patient is seated on the toilet, each suspension arm optionally comprising a flexible material, such that during the step of receiving the excrement receiving portion is optionally movable relative to a seat or bowl of the toilet so that a patient can selectively move the excrement receiving portion into and out of a stream of excrement, thereby to provide a mid-stream excrement sample, as required; in step 206 analyzing the testing means by observing a colour change, thereby to obtain a test result; in step 207 optionally removing the test strip from the device; and in step 208 flushing the device away down the toilet.

The invention, in still further embodiments, provides for a use of a device of the invention, for testing an excreted biological sample of a patient. While the invention has been described with reference to particular preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the foregoing that numerous devices and methods for testing and/or collecting excrements, other than the specific embodiments illustrated are attainable, which nonetheless lie within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended to include all such methods, systems, and equivalents therefore within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for collecting and / or testing excrement of a patient seated on a toilet, the device comprising: an excrement receiving portion for receiving said excrement from said patient prior to contact of said excrement with said toilet or water retained therein; at least two suspension arms each extending from the excrement receiving portion, each including attachment means at an end opposite said excrement receiving portion, for attachment to a seat or bowl of said toilet, thereby to retain the excrement receiving portion within or above the toilet to receive excrement, without contact with the toilet, toilet bowl, or water retained therein; and optionally at least one testing means positioned to contact the excrement when received in the excrement receiving portion.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a substantially planar sheet of material, a portion thereof being foldable into a cupped portion thereby to form said excrement receiving portion.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein prior to use the device is substantially planar such that a plurality of said devices can be flat-packed for transportation and / or storage.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one testing means comprises a test- strip comprising a chemical substance at or upon one end of the test-strip for contact with the excrement when in the excrement receiving portion.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the test strip is selectively removable from the device.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the device comprises a biodegradable material.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the devices comprises paper, pulp, or plastic, optionally with a wax or resinous coating.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the device is flushable.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a tongue portion extending from the excrement receiving portion, such that upon attachment of said device to a toilet at least a portion of said tongue portion drapes into water retained in said toilet, so that flushing of said toilet draws said tongue portion and all of said device into said toilet to be flushed away.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the testing means is a test strip removable prior to flushing away of said device.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein each attachment means includes a non- permanent adhesive such that each of said suspension arms may be selectively attached to said toilet seat or bowl, and selectively detached from said toilet seat or bowl prior to or during disposal or flushing of said device.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein each suspension arm comprises a flexible material, such that following attachment of the device to a toilet the excrement receiving portion is movable relative to a seat or bowl of the toilet so that a patient can selectively move the excrement receiving portion into and out of a stream of urine, thereby to provide a mid-stream urine sample, as required.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the excrement receiving portion further includes a spout to facilitate transfer of excrement received in the excrement receiving portion to a receptacle.

14. A package comprising a stack of devices each comprising a planar sheet of material according to claim 2.

15. The package of claim 14, wherein prior to stacking, the devices are folded thereby to form a stack of folded devices, each optionally comprising a test strip sandwiched and protected by the folded portions.

16. A method for collecting and / or testing excrement of a patient for a medical, disease, or nutritional condition, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a device of claim 1 to a toilet; sitting the patient on the toilet; receiving excrement from the patient onto the device whilst the patient is seated on the toilet; optionally analyzing the testing means to obtain a test result.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the device comprises a planar sheet of material, the method further comprising an initial step of: folding a portion of the device into a cupped portion thereby to form said excrement receiving portion.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the testing means is a test-strip comprising a chemical substance at or upon one end of the test-strip for contact with the excrement when in the excrement receiving portion, the step of analyzing comprising observing a colour change on the test strip.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of: removing the test strip from the device.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the device comprises a biodegradable material, the method further comprising the step of: flushing the device down the toilet, thereby to dispose of the device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the device further comprises a tongue portion extending from the excrement receiving portion, such that during the step of attaching at least a portion of said tongue portion drapes into water retained in said toilet, and during the step of flushing said tongue portion and said device is drawn into said toilet and flushed away.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the testing means is a test strip, and prior to the step of flushing the method further comprises a step of: removing the test strip from the device.

23. The method of claim 12, wherein each suspension arm comprises a flexible material, such that during the step of receiving the excrement receiving portion is movable relative to a seat or bowl of the toilet so that a patient can selectively move the excrement receiving portion into and out of a stream of urine, thereby to provide a mid-stream urine sample, as required.

24. A kit for collecting and / or testing excrement of a patient seated on a toilet, the kit comprising:

(2) optionally at least one testing means for testing the excrement.

25. The kit of claim 24, wherein the at least one testing means is suitable for testing the excrement following transfer of the excrement from the device to a receptacle.

26. The kit of claim 24, wherein the at least one testing means is suitable for testing the excrement whilst retained by the excrement receiving portion of the device.

27. The kit of claim 24, wherein the at least one testing means comprises a plurality of testing means to test for a presence or absence of a plurality of substances in said excrement.

28. A method for testing excrement of a patient for a medical, disease, or nutritional condition, the method comprising the steps of: providing a device of claim 2, wherein the testing means comprises a removable test strip comprising a chemical substance at or upon one end thereof for contact with the excrement when in the excrement receiving portion; folding a portion of the device into a cupped portion thereby to form said excrement receiving portion. attaching the device to a toilet; sitting the patient on the toilet; receiving excrement from the patient onto the device whilst the patient is seated on the toilet, each suspension arm optionally comprising a flexible material, such that during the step of receiving the excrement receiving portion is optionally movable relative to a seat or bowl of the toilet so that a patient can selectively move the excrement receiving portion into and out of a stream of urine, thereby to provide a mid-stream urine sample, as required; analyzing the testing means by observing a colour change, thereby to obtain a test result; optionally removing the test strip from the device; and flushing the device away down the toilet.

29. Use of a device of claim 1, for testing an excreted biological sample of a patient.