Cell collection device

Abstract

This invention relates generally to medical devices, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for collecting cells or tissue samples from the cervix of a patient for medical testing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to medical devices, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for collecting cells or tissue samples from the cervix of a patient for medical testing. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Cancer is responsible for significant health problems in populations of women in the United States and throughout the world. In particular, gynecological cancers, including ovarian, uterine, cervical, and vuvlar cancers, are responsible for over 5,000 deaths in the United States each year. Although recent years have seen advances in detection and treatment of these cancers, mortality rates remain significantly high. [0003] Cervical cancer can be prevented and possibly cured if detected early enough in its precancerous or precursor stages. There are a variety of known techniques for the early detection of cervical cancer. Most of these techniques include the scraping or sampling of tissue from the uterine or endocervical canal using a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In another aspect of the invention, a medical device for collection biological material from a patient is provided. The medical device is comprised of a distal end portion for collecting cells, such distal end comprising a substantially porous tip; a proximal end portion comprising a pump; and an elongated middle portion comprising a lumen in fluid connection with the distal and proximal end portions and extending therethrough. The elongated middle portion of the medical device also contains at least one valve to prevent the uptake of fluid through the substantially porous tip and into the internal lumen of the elongated middle portion of the device.

Problems solved by technology

Although recent years have seen advances in detection and treatment of these cancers, mortality rates remain significantly high.

Although cell collection brushes are well known and widely used, there are many disadvantages associated with the present cell collection brushes.

One disadvantage is the dispersal of the collected biological material from the cell collection brushes into a sample vial.

A disadvantage associated with this type of brush assembly is that a number of cells remain attached to the collection brush even after the brush is agitated in solution.

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