Methods and devices that change color to indicate the presence of opioids and other narcotics
A safe and reliable drug detection device is provided that detects the presence of opioids and other amine-containing drugs, and enables first responders, law enforcement personnel, and others to avoid inadvertent exposure to these potentially lethal drugs. The detector device includes a substrate and a dye that produces a visible color change rapidly when the device is brought into contact with an opioid or other amine-containing drug. A method for preparing the detector device and a method for detecting opioids and other amine-containing drugs on a surface are also provided.
1 . A detection device for detecting a target analyte on a surface, the detection device comprising
a porous fabric substrate capable of absorbing liquid; and
a dye that produces a visible color change upon exposure to an opioid or other amine-containing drug, wherein the dye is selected from the group consisting of malachite green oxalate, brilliant green, erythrosine b, methyl green, methyl violet, picric acid, cresol red, crystal violet, m-cresol purple, thymol blue, bromocresol green, cresol red, p-xylenol blue, eosin bluish, quinaldine red, 4-(dimethylamino) azobenzol, methyl orange, 1-naphtholphthalein, m-cresol purple, thymol blue, p-xylenol blue, thymolphthalein, alkali blue, alizarin yellow gg, indigo carmine, epsilon blue, titan yellow, and bromocresol purple,
wherein the dye is either within the substrate or coated on the substrate or both within the substrate and coated on the substrate, and wherein the detection device is non-toxic to humans.
2 . The detection device of claim 1 , wherein the dye is selected from the group consisting of cresol red, m-cresol purple, bromocresol green, and bromocresol purple, wherein the amine-containing drug is characterized as one or more of a medical drug for pain relief and an illicit drug.
3 . The detection device of claim 1 , wherein the target analyte is selected from the group consisting of morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, carfentanyl, naloxone, endorphins, heroin, codeine, cocaine, and mixtures and derivatives thereof, and wherein the visible color change upon exposure to an opioid or other amine-containing drug can occur without any additional heating and without the addition of an acid or a base.
4 . The detection device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a cellulose tissue, a paper towel, a coform material, an airlaid material, a polyester amide polymer having pendant functional groups, or a bonded-carded web, wherein the substrate is in the form of a wipe, a glove, or a swab.
5 . The detection device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or combinations thereof.
6 . The detection device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises fibers selected from the group consisting of wood pulp, cotton, bamboo, hemp, polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, polylactic acid, rayon, lyocell, and combinations thereof.
7 . The detection device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is in the form of a wipe, a swab, or a glove.
8 . The detection device of claim 1 , wherein the detection device further includes one or more optional ingredients selected from the group consisting of color enhancers, catalysts, mechanical property modifiers, optical brighteners, anti-static agents, flame retardants, lubricants, wetting agents, softeners, mordants, and inorganic additives.
9 . The detection device of claim 1 , wherein the detection device further comprises a wetting agent.
10 . The detection device of claim 1 , wherein the detection device is sealed in an airtight package.
11 . A method for detecting a target analyte on a surface, the method comprising
contacting a surface that is suspected of containing a target analyte with a drug detection device, where the drug detection device includes
a porous fabric substrate capable of absorbing liquid, and
a dye that is capable of producing a visible color change upon the contact with the target analyte, wherein the dye is selected from the group consisting of malachite green oxalate, brilliant green, erythrosine b, methyl green, methyl violet, picric acid, cresol red, crystal violet, m-cresol purple, thymol blue, bromocresol green, cresol red, p-xylenol blue, eosin bluish, quinaldine red, 4-(dimethylamino) azobenzol, methyl orange, 1-naphtholphthalein, m-cresol purple, thymol blue, p-xylenol blue, thymolphthalein, alkali blue, alizarin yellow gg, indigo carmine, epsilon blue, titan yellow, and bromocresol purple,
wherein the dye is either within the substrate or coated on the substrate or both within the substrate and coated on the substrate.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises applying a wetting agent to either or both of the drug detection device or the surface that is suspected of containing a target analyte, prior to the step of contacting.
13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising steps of
providing the detection device sealed in an airtight package, prior to the step of contacting;
removing the detection device from the airtight package, prior to the step of contacting; and
visually inspecting the drug detection device after the step of contacting, to determine if any portion of the drug detection device has changed color.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the drug detection device undergoes a visible color change within about 30 seconds of the contact with the target analyte, wherein the visible color change occurs without any additional heating and without the addition of an acid or a base.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the drug detection device undergoes a visible color change within about 5 seconds of the contact with the target analyte, wherein the visible color change occurs without any additional heating and without the addition of an acid or a base.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the dye is selected from the group consisting of cresol red, m-cresol purple, bromocresol green, and bromocresol purple.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the target analyte is an amine-containing drug, and wherein the method does not require a user to pick up the target analyte, wherein the amine-containing drug is characterized as one or more of a medical drug for pain relief and an illicit drug.
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the target analyte is selected from the group consisting of morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, carfentanyl, naloxone, endorphins, heroin, codeine, cocaine, and mixtures and derivatives thereof.
19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the substrate comprises a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a cellulose tissue, a paper towel, a coform material, an airlaid material, a polyester amide polymer having pendant functional groups, or a bonded-carded web.
20 . A detection device for detecting a target analyte on a surface, the detection device comprising
a substrate, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of a wipe, a glove, and a swab; and
a dye that produces a visible color change upon exposure to an opioid or other amine-containing drug, wherein the dye is selected from the group consisting of malachite green oxalate, brilliant green, erythrosine b, methyl green, methyl violet, picric acid, cresol red, crystal violet, m-cresol purple, thymol blue, bromocresol green, cresol red, p-xylenol blue, eosin bluish, quinaldine red, 4-(dimethylamino) azobenzol, methyl orange, 1-naphtholphthalein, m-cresol purple, thymol blue, p-xylenol blue, thymolphthalein, alkali blue, alizarin yellow gg, indigo carmine, epsilon blue, titan yellow, and bromocresol purple,
wherein the dye is either within the substrate or coated on the substrate or both within the substrate and coated on the substrate,
wherein the detection device is non-toxic to humans, and
wherein the visible color change upon exposure to an opioid or other amine-containing drug can occur without any additional heating and without the addition of an acid or a base.