LIGHT STICK
Described herein is a device used to perform medical examinations. The device includes at least one sidewall and at least one end, wherein the sidewall at least partially defines both a chemical housing and a handle portion. The chemical housing preferably includes a light source disposed therein. A reflective layer may be applied to at least a portion of the sidewall defining the chemical housing.
1 . A device used to perform medical examinations comprising:
(a) at least one sidewall and at least one end, wherein the sidewall at least partially defines both a chemical housing and a handle portion; wherein the chemical housing has an inside; and
(b) a reflective material applied to at least a portion of the sidewall defining the chemical housing;
wherein the chemical housing comprises a light source disposed therein.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall comprises an outer surface, and wherein the reflective material is a layer applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall defining the chemical housing.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the reflective layer is applied to at least a portion of a length of the outer surface of the sidewall defining the chemical housing.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the light source is a chemiluminescent.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is suitable for oral or vaginal use.
6 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a stop deposit disposed between the chemical housing and the handle portion.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is used to detect abnormal epithelial cells.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall defining the chemical housing is at least partially opaque.
9 . A method for detecting abnormal epithelial tissue comprising:
(a) providing a device having at least one sidewall and at least one end, wherein the sidewall at least partially defines both a chemical housing and a handle portion; wherein the chemical housing has a light source disposed therein;
(b) providing a reflective material applied on at least a portion of the sidewall defining the chemical housing;
(c) illuminating an area of epithelial tissue with light emitted from the light source, wherein at least a portion of the light is reflected from the area thereby creating reflected light having at least one wavelength, and viewing the reflected light.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the sidewall defining the chemical housing is at least partially opaque.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of determining if the reflected light is white.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source is reflected off the reflective material back into the chemical housing and wherein at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source is incident light.
13 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of bending the device to activate the light source prior to the step of (c).
14 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of filtering the reflected light to substantially remove wavelengths other than the at least one wavelength, thereby creating filtered light, and viewing the filtered light.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing spectacles having a filter, and wherein the step of filtering the reflected light comprises filtering the reflected light with the spectacles to only allow filtered light through.
16 . A kit for medical examination comprising:
(a) a device comprising:
(i) at least one sidewall and at least one end, wherein the sidewall defines at least a portion of both a chemical housing and a handle portion;
(ii) a light source contained within the chemical housing; and
(b) spectacles having a filter.
17 . The kit of claim 16 , further comprising a reflective material forming a reflective layer, wherein the reflective layer is applied to at least a portion of the sidewall defining the chemical housing.
18 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the light source is 9,10 diphenylanthracene.
19 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the light source provides a light output, and wherein the light output comprises incident light and light reflected off the reflective layer back into the chemical housing.
20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of performing an assessment of the area, wherein the assessment of the area is selected from the group consisting of a tissue biopsy, a histological analysis, or a molecular analysis.
21 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the reflective material is a reflective tape.