Cervical mucus swab

Abstract

The present invention provides a cervical mucus swab, comprising a swab rod and a swab head, wherein the swab head is fixed at the front end of the swab rod and is in a grid shape as a whole. The swab head is presented in a grid structure, which solves the problem of difficult mucus removal through the principle of liquid surface tension; its elastic fusiform structure perfectly fits the inverted pear-shaped structure of the cervical canal; the smooth object collection surface formed by the mesh structure avoids hard damage to cervical tissue. The cervical mucus swab is easy to operate, does not require professional training, and can be used immediately after watching, which is easy to promote. In summary, the design of the cervical mucus swab is original, widely applicable, and economical in process, which is very conducive to promotion and application.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a medical device, in particular to a cervical mucus swab. Background Art

[0002] Cervical mucus is a thick, transparent, viscous, egg white-like secretion produced by the endocervical glands. It is usually alkaline, and its viscosity and secretion volume change with the level of estrogen in the body. The daily secretion volume of women can reach up to 0.71 ml or more, and its viscosity is affected by the content of mucin that constitutes the macromolecular network.

[0003] The normal physiological functions of cervical mucus include but are not limited to the following: first, it acts as a physical barrier to the female internal reproductive organs, blocking direct contact between the uterine cavity and the outside world; second, it promotes sperm fertilization activity; when cervical mucus is abnormal, it manifests as follows: first, in addition to common vaginal infectious pathogens, it is also infected by special pathogens such as HPV, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma, etc., leading to purulent cervical mucus; second, the content of immune components such as interleukin in the cervical mucus of premature mothers is abnormally increased; third, during acute or chronic cervical inflammation or cervical cancer, bloody cervical mucus may appear due to edema and congestion of cervical tissue.

[0004] From the above, we can see that cervical mucus has a great impact on clinical diagnosis and treatment.

[0005] 1. Through the sampling, culture and drug sensitivity of cervical mucus, the pathogens of female reproductive system infection can be accurately diagnosed and targeted sensitive drug treatment can be given. However, all cervical secretion sampling must pass through the narrow and long vagina. Once the acidic secretions and various colonized microorganisms contaminate the cervical specimens, it will inevitably lead to misdiagnosis.

[0006] 2. By sampling cervical mucus to detect interleukin content, the probability of premature birth can be accurately inferred and the diagnosis and treatment plan can be determined in a timely manner. However, pregnant women have loose vaginas and more secretions, which will inevitably lead to misdiagnosis if the cervical specimen is contaminated.

[0007] 3. Cervical mucus blocks the cervical canal, affecting the sampling of cervical exfoliated cytology, resulting in too few sampled cells or mucus contamination of smears, which seriously interferes with the accuracy of cervical cancer screening diagnosis. If the cervical mucus is not removed properly before sampling, it will cause local tissue bleeding, and a large number of red blood cells will make sampling more difficult.

[0008] 4. Cervical mucus covers the cervix, affecting the colposcopy field of view, making it difficult to expose the cervical transformation zone. During the acetic acid application process, due to its barrier and dilution effects, it further affects the imaging diagnosis of cervical precancerous lesions. If the cervical mucus is not removed properly before the operation, it will cause local tissue bleeding, and a large amount of bleeding will make the examination more difficult.

[0009] 5. Cervical mucus fills the entire cervical canal. During cervical circular monopolar electrosurgical resection, the protein and glycogen contained in it, while forming resistance, absorb a large amount of heat energy, resulting in local tissue carbonization on the cut surface. The carbonized surface of ex vivo tissue seriously affects the diagnosis of pathological sections, and brings great uncertainty to the determination of postoperative diagnosis and treatment plans. The patient's cervical wound surface and the carbonized tissue will have active bleeding of small arteries during the descabbing process, increasing the probability of infection and secondary surgery.

[0010] 6. During human assisted reproduction, cervical mucus also affects the embryo transfer process. Studies have shown that when the embryo transfer tube is inserted into the uterine cavity, the cervical mucus adheres to the front end of the transfer tube, preventing the embryo from being placed into the uterine cavity; when the inner tube is withdrawn, the viscosity of the cervical mucus will carry the embryo out of the uterine cavity, resulting in embryo loss; during the insertion process, pathogens or inflammatory factors in the cervical mucus will be brought into the uterine cavity.

[0011] The following methods are usually used in the prior art to remove or sample cervical mucus:

[0012] 1. Cervical scraper

[0013] Cervical scrapers made of wood or bamboo boards have been used since the 1950s. They were once widely used in cervical cancer smear screening due to their low price and simple operation. However, due to their hard and rough texture, difficult sampling, backward technology, and high false negative rate, they can no longer meet clinical needs and have basically been eliminated by modern clinics.

[0014] 2. Cotton swab

[0015] Ordinary cotton swabs are often used for local disinfection or scrubbing, and special cotton swabs can be used for smear sampling. The texture of the cotton swab is closely related to the strength of its winding around the absorbent cotton: if the winding strength is strong, the swab head will be hard and smooth, and the cotton fibers will not fall off easily, but it will easily cause tissue damage, and the adsorption capacity will be poor, resulting in less sampling; if the winding strength is weak, the swab head will be loose and soft, the adsorption capacity will be enhanced, and it will not easily damage the tissue, but the cotton fibers will easily fall off, contaminating the wound surface and specimens. In addition, the cotton fibers are not elastic enough, especially after being moistened, the elasticity disappears, and they are completely unable to fit the fusiform structure of the cervical tube.

[0016] 3. Cervical brush

[0017] Cervical brushes are made by fixing different types of brushes on handles of different shapes, and using them to take samples from the cervix, such as mountain-shaped brushes, conical brushes, and cylindrical brushes. They are widely used in clinical practice because they can take samples of cervical epithelial cells. However, since the bristles of the brushes themselves must have a certain elasticity to be able to take samples deep into the cervical canal, this causes the thin and hard single bristles to locally cut the cervical tissue, causing tissue damage. Especially during pregnancy or cervical lesions, when the cervical columnar epithelium is congested, edematous, and fragile, this sharp contact will inevitably lead to bleeding.

[0018] 4. Cervical negative pressure suction rod

[0019] This is a method of extracting cervical mucus through negative pressure suction. Due to the narrow cervical canal, the diameter of the suction tube is forced to be very thin. It is effective for a small amount of thin watery cervical secretions, but it is extremely limited for a large amount of thick cervical mucus covering the entire cervix.

[0020] 5. Other swabs

[0021] Other swabs also include fixing shaped sponges, non-woven fabrics or other fiber products on the swab rod for sampling and other operations. However, since these substances have extremely limited adsorption effects on mucus, they are rarely promoted in clinical practice.

[0022] 6. Cervical applicator

[0023] Topical cervical medications, including powders, liquids, suppositories, etc., are mostly administered by syringe. The problem is that due to the narrow vagina and the cervix being located deep and behind it, during the operation, the medication falls on the vaginal wall before reaching the cervix, causing waste; or it is impossible to fully apply medication to a large wound surface. Summary of the invention

[0024] In order to solve the above technical problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a cervical mucus swab, which can completely remove cervical mucus during cervical operation while avoiding vaginal secretion contamination and cervical tissue damage, while taking into account the operation of cervical medication.

[0025] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0026] The cervical mucus swab comprises a swab rod and a swab head. The swab head is fixed at the front end of the swab rod and is in a grid shape as a whole.

[0027] As a preferred solution, the swab head is a shuttle-shaped mesh structure, the interior of which is hollow, and the front end of the swab rod is the central axis of the swab head.

[0028] As a preferred solution, a first sleeve is further sleeved on the outer side of the swab rod, and a gap for tightly accommodating the swab head is provided between the inner wall of the first sleeve and the outer wall of the swab rod.

[0029] As a preferred solution, a second sleeve is sleeved on the outer side of the swab rod, and the inner diameter of the front end of the second sleeve is slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the swab head.

[0030] As a preferred solution, the length of the first sleeve is half of the length of the swab rod, and the inner diameter of the first sleeve is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the swab rod.

[0031] As a preferred solution, a second sleeve is sleeved on the outer side of the first sleeve, and the inner diameter of the front end of the second sleeve is slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the swab head.

[0032] As a preferred solution, the tail end of the first sleeve is further provided with a flange, and the inner diameter of the second sleeve is larger than the outer diameter of the first sleeve and smaller than the outer diameter of the flange.

[0033] As a preferred solution, the tail end of the second sleeve forms an arc-shaped bowl-shaped closing, and the length of the second sleeve is one third of the length of the swab rod.

[0034] As a preferred solution, the swab rod, the first sleeve, the second sleeve and the swab head are all made of medical polystyrene material and are transparent throughout.

[0035] As a preferred embodiment, the tail end of the swab rod is enlarged to form an ellipsoidal handle, the swab head is ellipsoidal, spherical, hemispherical, cylindrical or conical, and one end of the swab rod is colinear with the axis of the swab head.

[0036] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0037] The swab head of the present invention is presented in a grid-like structure, which solves the problem of difficult mucus removal through the principle of liquid surface tension; its elastic fusiform structure perfectly fits the inverted pear-shaped structure of the cervical canal; the smooth object removal surface formed by the grid-like structure avoids hard damage to the cervical tissue. The cervical mucus swab is easy to operate, does not require professional training, and can be used immediately, which is easy to promote. In summary, the design of the cervical mucus swab is original, widely applicable, and economical in process, which is very conducive to promotion and application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The drawings in the specification, which constitute a part of the present application, are used to provide a further understanding of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute a limitation on the present application.

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Example 3 of the present invention.

[0042] In the figure: 1. swab head; 2. first sleeve; 3. second sleeve; 4. flange; 5. swab rod; 6. handle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0044] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are illustrative and are intended to provide further explanation of the present application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present application belongs.

[0045] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0046] In addition, in the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0047] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise clearly specified.

[0048] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0049] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0050] The embodiments of the present invention can be divided into three types according to different applications, including: sampling type (swab head + swab rod + first sleeve + second sleeve); medication type (swab head + swab rod + first sleeve); cleaning type (swab head + swab rod). The three types of swabs are described in detail below.

[0051] Example 1

[0052] like Figure 1 The cervical mucus swab shown includes a swab rod 5 and a swab head 1. The swab head 1 is fixed to the front end of the swab rod 5 and is in a grid shape as a whole. The swab head 1 is a shuttle-shaped mesh structure with a hollow interior, and the front end of the swab rod 5 is the central axis of the swab head 1. The shuttle shape can fit the shape of the endocervical canal. The elastic and deformable characteristics of the mesh structure facilitate the insertion of the narrow cervical opening. The mesh structure expands the contact area with the mucus, and further increases the tension formed between the mucus and the mucus by multiples of the mesh perimeter, causing mucus adsorption. At the same time, the use of polymer materials with a larger tension value further increases the ability of the swab head to be wetted. The distal end of the swab head can also be in an inverted water drop shape to prevent the tip of the swab from damaging the cervical mucosa during the insertion of the swab into the cervical canal.

[0053] The swab rod is made of medical polystyrene material, which improves the flexibility of the swab rod on the basis of reducing costs, and the transparent material enhances the operability and aesthetics of the swab. The front part is the central axis of the swab head, and the tail end of the swab rod 5 is enlarged to form an ellipsoidal handle 6, which can prevent the thin cannula from slipping; in addition, the swab head 1 can also be ellipsoidal, spherical, hemispherical, cylindrical or conical, and one end of the swab rod 5 is colinear with the axis of the swab head 1.

[0054] The outer side of the swab rod 5 is also sleeved with a first sleeve 2, and a gap is provided between the inner wall of the first sleeve 2 and the outer wall of the swab rod 5 for tightly accommodating the swab head 1. The length of the first sleeve 2 is half of the length of the swab rod 5, and the inner diameter of the first sleeve 2 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the swab rod 5.

[0055] The first sleeve 2 is also sleeved with a second sleeve 3, which is bell-shaped. The inner diameter of the front end of the second sleeve 3 is slightly larger than the central circumference of the shuttle-shaped swab head. The tail end of the second sleeve 3 forms an arc-shaped bowl-shaped closing, and the tail end is closed to an inner diameter equivalent to the outer diameter of the thin sleeve. The length of the second sleeve 3 is one third of the length of the swab rod 5. The tail end of the first sleeve 2 is also provided with a flange 4, and the inner diameter of the second sleeve 3 is larger than the outer diameter of the first sleeve 2, and smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 4.

[0056] The first tube can wrap the swab head tightly inside, and the tail end is turned outward to prevent the second tube from slipping. The first tube has two functions: after the swab head is dipped in cervical mucus, it is placed in the specimen bottle, and the first tube is pushed down to push the mucus into the specimen bottle; after the swab head is dipped in medicine powder (after being moistened) or medicine liquid by using the principle of tension, it is placed in the cervical canal, and the first tube is pushed down to apply the medicine to the entire cervix.

[0057] When taking cervical mucus for pathogen inspection, push down the second tube to completely cover the swab head, insert the entire swab into the vagina, and after reaching the external os of the cervix, gently push the swab rod into the internal os of the cervix, rotate to take a sample, then fix the second tube, pull out the swab rod, and after the second tube completely covers the swab head, move the entire swab out of the vagina.

[0058] In other embodiments, the first sleeve may be removed from the outside of the swab rod, and the second sleeve 3 may be directly disposed on the outside of the swab rod 5, with the front end inner diameter of the second sleeve 3 being slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the swab head 1. This can protect the sample.

[0059] The swab rod 5, the first sleeve 2, the second sleeve 3 and the swab head 1 are all made of medical polystyrene material, whose critical surface tension value is twice that of polytetrafluoroethylene, and is more easily wetted by liquid, thereby enhancing the effect of adsorbing mucus; and the swab is transparent throughout, which greatly improves visibility when operated in the vagina with limited vision.

[0060] The present invention is mainly used for the removal of cervical mucus and local cervical medication in obstetrics and gynecology. The swab head adopts a shuttle-shaped mesh structure to replace traditional absorbent cotton, non-woven fabrics, and brushes. It uses the principle of liquid surface tension to absorb mucus, and the entire swab head interface is smooth and flat, without damaging the cervical tissue. The double-tube structure is used in combination to facilitate sampling and avoid contamination.

[0061] The main function of this embodiment is a sampling swab, which is used for cervical secretion pathogen inspection and drug sensitivity test, and is used in auxiliary diagnosis of acute and chronic cervical infection sampling, high-risk pregnant women to predict premature birth inspection sampling, etc. The specific use steps are as follows: before taking cervical mucus for pathogen inspection, first push down the second sleeve to completely cover the swab head, and then send the entire swab into the vagina. After reaching the external cervical opening, gently push the swab rod into the internal cervical opening, rotate to take samples, and then fix the second sleeve, pull out the swab rod, and after the second sleeve completely covers the swab head, move the entire swab out of the vagina. Place the swab head after absorbing cervical mucus in the specimen bottle, push down the first sleeve, and push the mucus into the specimen bottle.

[0062] Example 2

[0063] like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment is substantially the same as embodiment 1, and the only difference is that this embodiment only includes a swab rod 5, a swab head 1 and a first sleeve, and the second sleeve outside the first sleeve is cancelled. The main function of this embodiment is a medicine-applying swab, which is used for local medicine application on the cervix, treatment of local cervical diseases, postoperative treatment of cervical surgery, etc. The swab head uses the principle of tension to dip into medicine powder (after wetting) or medicine liquid, and then places it in the cervical canal, pushes down the thin sleeve, and applies the medicine to the cervical canal and the surface of the cervix.

[0064] Example 3

[0065] like Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment is generally the same as embodiment 1, and the only difference is that this embodiment only includes a swab rod 5 and a swab head 1, and the first sleeve and the second sleeve are cancelled. The main function of this embodiment is a cleaning swab, which is used for removing cervical mucus. It is mainly used in the preparation before embryo transplantation in the process of human assisted reproduction, the preparation before cervical loop electrosurgical excision surgery, the preparation before sampling for cervical exfoliated cytology examination, the preparation before colposcopy of cervical precancerous lesions and the preparation before biopsy cytology examination. When using it, hold the swab rod, insert the swab head into the cervical opening, rotate it for one circle, and then take out the cervical mucus.

[0066] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0067] 1. Scientific selection of cervical mucus swabs

[0068] The cervical mucus swab is made entirely of medical polystyrene, which is an easy-to-shape material. It is a hydrophilic polymer compound with a tough texture, is transparent throughout, and is low in cost and widely available.

[0069] 2. Reasonable structure of cervical mucus swab

[0070] The swab head has a mesh structure, which solves the problem of difficult mucus removal through the principle of liquid surface tension; its elastic fusiform structure perfectly fits the inverted pear-shaped structure of the cervical canal; the smooth collection surface formed by the fiber mesh structure avoids hard damage to the cervical tissue.

[0071] 3. Cervical mucus swab is easy to operate

[0072] The cervical mucus swab can be used to complete the corresponding treatment with just a simple push and pull operation. No professional training is required and you can learn it immediately, which makes it easy to promote.

[0073] 4. Cervical mucus swabs are inexpensive

[0074] The cervical mucus swab is made of common materials, has a simple production process, and comes in three different types to meet various clinical needs.

[0075] In short, the design of the cervical mucus swab is original, its applicability is wide, and its process is economical, which is extremely conducive to promotion and application.

[0076] It should be noted that:

[0077] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. Ordinary technicians in the field can change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention without departing from the principles and purpose of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cervical mucus swab, comprising a swab rod (5) and a swab head (1), characterized in that: The swab head (1) is fixed to the front end of the swab rod (5) and is in a grid shape as a whole. The swab head (1) is a shuttle-shaped grid structure with a hollow interior. The front end of the swab rod (5) is the central axis of the swab head (1), and the rear end of the swab rod (5) is enlarged to form an ellipsoidal handle (6); The outer side of the swab rod (5) is also sleeved with a first sleeve (2), and a gap is provided between the inner wall of the first sleeve (2) and the outer wall of the swab rod (5) for tightly accommodating the swab head (1); A second sleeve (3) is sleeved on the outer side of the first sleeve (2), and the inner diameter of the front end of the second sleeve (3) is slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the swab head (1); The tail end of the first sleeve (2) is also provided with a flange (4); the inner diameter of the second sleeve (3) is larger than the outer diameter of the first sleeve (2) and smaller than the outer diameter of the flange (4); The tail end of the second sleeve (3) forms an arc-shaped bowl-shaped closing end, and the length of the second sleeve (3) is one third of the length of the swab rod (5).

2. The cervical mucus swab according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the first sleeve (2) is half of the length of the swab rod (5), and the inner diameter of the first sleeve (2) is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the swab rod (5).

3. The cervical mucus swab according to claim 1, characterized in that: The swab rod (5), the first sleeve (2), the second sleeve (3) and the swab head (1) are all made of medical polystyrene material and are transparent throughout.

4. The cervical mucus swab according to claim 1, characterized in that: The swab head (1) is ellipsoidal, spherical, hemispherical, cylindrical or conical, and one end of the swab rod (5) is colinear with the axis of the swab head (1).

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