Cell brush

Abstract

This utility model discloses a cell brush, which includes a brush head, an inner shell, an outer shell, a positioning pin, and a drive assembly. The brush head is used to collect cells. The inner shell is connected to the brush head and has a circumferential wall surface arranged around a first direction. A groove is recessed on the circumferential wall surface and extends spirally along the first direction. The outer shell is fitted onto the inner shell and has a pin hole that penetrates the outer shell along the recessed direction of the groove. The positioning pin passes through the pin hole, and its end extends into the groove for sliding connection. The drive assembly is connected to the inner shell and drives the inner shell to move along the first direction, causing the inner shell to rotate relative to the outer shell along the extension path of the groove. The brush head of this cell brush can rotate automatically during advancement, and the bristle bending increases the contact area of ​​the brush head during operation, thereby increasing the sampling volume and improving the sampling rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical technology, and in particular to a cell brush. Background Technology

[0002] In modern medicine, respiratory and digestive system health issues are receiving increasing attention. With changes in lifestyle and environmental pollution, the incidence of related diseases is rising year by year. Early detection and timely treatment have become key factors in improving patient prognosis. Against this backdrop, endoscopic cell brushing, as an important diagnostic tool, plays a crucial role in improving the accuracy of early disease diagnosis.

[0003] Endoscopic cell brushing is a commonly used endoscopic examination method. Under direct endoscopic visualization, a cell brush is used to repeatedly brush the lesion site to obtain diseased cells. It complements biopsy pathological examination and can reduce the rate of missed diagnoses.

[0004] However, traditional cell brushes are structurally limited, often resulting in a small sample size, low sampling rate, low surgical efficiency, and increased patient risk. Utility Model Content

[0005] The main purpose of this invention is to propose a cell brush, in which the brush head can rotate automatically during the advancement process, and the bending of the bristles can increase the contact area of ​​the brush head during operation, thereby increasing the sampling volume and improving the sampling rate.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, some embodiments of this utility model propose a cell brush, comprising:

[0007] The brush head is used to collect cells;

[0008] The inner shell is connected to the brush head. The inner shell has a circumferential wall surface arranged around a first direction. The circumferential wall surface is recessed with a sliding groove that extends spirally along the first direction.

[0009] The outer shell is fitted onto the inner shell. The outer shell has a pin hole that penetrates the outer shell along the recessed direction of the slide groove.

[0010] A positioning pin is inserted through a pin hole, and the end of the positioning pin extends into a slide groove to slide with the slide groove.

[0011] A drive assembly is connected to the inner housing. The drive assembly drives the inner housing to move in a first direction, so that the inner housing rotates relative to the outer housing along the extension path of the slide groove.

[0012] In some embodiments, the drive assembly includes a track rack and a rotating gear. The track rack is connected to the inner housing along a first direction, and the rotating gear meshes with the track rack. The rotating gear rotates to move the track rack along the first direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, the inner housing includes a first end and a second end that are distributed opposite to each other along a first direction, the first end being connected to the brush head and the track rack abutting against the second end.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cell brush includes an elastic element, and the inner housing has a stepped surface protruding along a first direction, the stepped surface being located between a first end and a second end, the elastic element abutting against the side of the stepped surface opposite to the track rack.

[0015] In some embodiments, the inner housing includes a first shaft segment and a second shaft segment distributed along a first direction. The first shaft segment is connected to the second shaft segment through a stepped surface. The axial directions of the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment are both parallel to the first direction. The diameter of the first shaft segment is smaller than the diameter of the second shaft segment. The elastic element includes a return spring, which is sleeved on the first shaft segment.

[0016] In some embodiments, the drive assembly includes a fixed shaft, a rotating gear having a connecting hole with the axis of the connecting hole perpendicular to a first direction, a housing having a shaft hole, and the fixed shaft passing through the shaft hole and the connecting hole in sequence, so that the rotating gear can rotate about the axis of the fixed shaft.

[0017] In some embodiments, the housing is provided with a button slot, the rotating gear includes a radially protruding lever, the button slot extends in a first direction, the lever passes through the button slot, and at least a portion of the lever is exposed on the side of the button slot away from the inner housing.

[0018] In some embodiments, the brush head includes a body portion and bristles, the bristles being connected to the body portion and protruding from the body portion, and the ends of the bristles being bent.

[0019] In some embodiments, the brush head includes a body and a flexible ball head, the body being connected to an inner housing via a cable, and the flexible ball head being connected to the end of the body away from the cable.

[0020] In some embodiments, the cell brush includes an outer tube fitted over a brush head, the brush head being configured to be exposed to or inserted into the outer tube in a first direction.

[0021] According to the above embodiments, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0022] The cell brush of this invention includes a brush head, an inner shell, an outer shell, a positioning pin, and a drive assembly. The brush head is configured as the end of the cell brush for extending into a target location to obtain cells. The inner shell is connected to the brush head, and the brush head can move with the movement of the inner shell. The inner shell has a circumferential wall surface arranged around a first direction, and a groove is recessed in the circumferential wall surface, extending spirally along the first direction. The outer shell is fitted onto the inner shell, and the outer shell has a pin hole that penetrates the outer shell along the recessed direction of the groove. The positioning pin passes through the pin hole, and its end extends into the groove, slidably connecting with the groove. Therefore, when the position of the inner shell changes relative to the outer shell, the inner shell will move along the extension path of the groove due to the influence of the positioning pin.

[0023] The drive assembly connects to the inner housing and drives the inner housing to move along a first direction. That is, under the drive of the drive assembly, the inner housing can move relative to the outer housing along the extension path of the slide groove. The extension path of the slide groove is a spiral extending along the first direction. Therefore, under the drive of the drive assembly, the inner housing will rotate around the first direction while moving along it, i.e., the inner housing will undergo helical motion. Furthermore, with the outer housing serving as the operator's gripping end and the brush head as the sampling end extending into the target location, the outer housing at the operator's grip does not need to rotate, while the brush head will rotate while extending and retracting along with the helical motion of the inner housing. Thus, the brush head can contact a larger target area, acquire a greater number of cells, and achieve a higher cell sampling rate.

[0024] In summary, this application utilizes the spiral design of the groove to convert the linear motion of the drive component into rotational motion, enabling the brush head to rotate automatically during advancement, thereby improving cell collection efficiency. Furthermore, combined with the bristle bending design, the brush head can contact a larger area during operation, further enhancing cell collection efficiency.

[0025] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the cell brush in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the explosion structure of a cell brush;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the brush head in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the driving component and related motion components in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the mechanism shown.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the inner shell in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the positioning pin in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a rotating gear in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the track rack in one embodiment of the present utility model;

[0037] Figure 11 The diagram shows the structure of the outer shell in one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from two opposite directions.

[0038] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0039] Brush head 100; main body 110; bristles 120; flexible ball head 130;

[0040] Inner shell 200; sliding groove 210; stepped surface 220; first shaft section 230; second shaft section 240;

[0041] Housing 300; Pin hole 310; Shaft hole 320; Key slot 330;

[0042] Positioning pin 400;

[0043] Drive assembly 500; track rack 510; rotary gear 520; connecting hole 521; lever 522; fixed shaft 530;

[0044] Elastic element 600; return spring 610;

[0045] Lasso 700;

[0046] 800mm outer tube;

[0047] Handle plug 900;

[0048] First direction X.

[0049] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0050] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0051] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0052] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or," "and / or," or "and / or" throughout the text implies three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0053] The following is for reference. Figures 1 to 11 This describes a cell brush according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2The cell brush of this application includes a brush head 100, an inner housing 200, an outer housing 300, a positioning pin 400, and a drive assembly 500. The brush head 100 is configured as the end of the cell brush for insertion into a target location to obtain cells. The inner housing 200 is connected to the brush head 100, and the brush head 100 is movable with the movement of the inner housing 200. The inner housing 200 has a peripheral wall surface arranged circumferentially around a first direction X, and a groove 210 is recessed in the peripheral wall surface, extending spirally in the first direction X. The outer housing 300 is sleeved on the inner housing 200, and the outer housing 300 has a pin hole 310 that penetrates the outer housing 300 along the recessed direction of the groove 210. The positioning pin 400 passes through the pin hole 310, and its end extends into the groove 210, slidably connected to the groove 210. Therefore, when the position of the inner housing 200 changes relative to the outer housing 300, the inner housing 200 will move along the extension path of the slide groove 210 under the influence of the positioning pin 400.

[0054] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The drive assembly 500 is connected to the inner housing 200. The drive assembly 500 drives the inner housing 200 to move along the first direction X. That is, under the drive of the drive assembly 500, the inner housing 200 can move relative to the outer housing 300 along the extension path of the slide groove 210. The extension path of the slide groove 210 is a spiral extending along the first direction X. Therefore, under the drive of the drive assembly 500, the inner housing 200 will rotate around the first direction X while moving along it, that is, the inner housing 200 will perform a helical motion. Furthermore, with the outer housing 300 as the operator's gripping end and the brush head 100 as the sampling end extending into the target position, the outer housing 300 at the operator's gripping point does not need to rotate, while the brush head 100 will rotate while extending and retracting along with the helical motion of the inner housing 200. Thus, the brush head 100 can contact more target areas, acquire more cells, and achieve a higher cell sampling rate.

[0055] In summary, this application utilizes the spiral design of the groove 210 to convert the linear motion of the drive component 500 into spiral motion, enabling the brush head 100 to rotate automatically during the advancement process, thereby improving cell collection efficiency.

[0056] It is understandable that the slide groove 210 can be designed on the side of the inner housing 200 facing the outer housing 300, or it can be designed on the side of the inner housing 200 away from the outer housing 300. When the position of the slide groove 210 changes, the positions of the positioning pin 400 and the drive assembly 500 also change accordingly. The core of the design proposed in this application is to convert the linear motion of the drive assembly 500 into the helical propulsion of the inner housing 200 and the brush head 100 through the helical slide groove 210. There are no restrictions on the location of the slide groove 210, as long as it is ensured that the outer housing 300 maintains its original state during the movement of the drive assembly 500.

[0057] It is understandable that in some embodiments, the design of the chute 210 can employ different helical angles and pitches to adapt to different application scenarios. For example, a chute 210 design with a larger helical angle can increase the rotation angle of the inner housing 200 over the same length, making it suitable for cell sampling scenarios requiring more precise operation or larger area coverage. Specifically, if the helical angle of the chute 210 is reduced, the inner housing 200 with a chute 210 designed with a smaller helical angle will advance a smaller distance along the first direction X when the drive assembly 500 moves the same distance, but the brush head 100 connected to this inner housing 200 will rotate more times and more tightly. Such structural expansion not only increases the application range of the device but may also improve the cell sampling effect in specific situations. In addition, by changing the depth of the chute 210, the friction between the positioning pin 400 and the chute 210 can also be adjusted to regulate the rotation speed of the inner housing 200.

[0058] It is understood that, in some embodiments, reference is made to... Figures 6 to 8 The shape and material of the locating pin 400 can be adjusted according to specific needs. For example, using a locating pin 400 with ball bearings can reduce friction during sliding, making the rotation of the inner housing 200 smoother. Specifically, one end of the locating pin 400 that extends into the slide groove 210 is equipped with balls. The balls roll according to the resistance of the inner wall of the slide groove 210. This design facilitates sliding, and this structural improvement helps reduce wear and extend the service life of the equipment. In addition, a lubrication layer can be provided on the inner side of the outer housing 300 to further reduce frictional resistance and improve the operating experience.

[0059] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 9 and Figure 10In some embodiments, the drive assembly 500 of the cell brush consists of a rack and pinion 510 and a rotating gear 520. The rack and pinion 510 is connected to the inner housing 200 along a first direction X, and the rotating gear 520 meshes with the rack and pinion 510. When the rotating gear 520 rotates, due to the meshing action between the rack and pinion, the rack and pinion 510 will move along the first direction X, thereby driving the inner housing 200 to move along the first direction X. That is, through the rack and pinion mechanism, rotational motion is effectively converted into linear motion. At the same time, due to the cooperation of the groove 210 and the positioning pin 400 between the inner housing 200 and the outer housing 300, the inner housing 200 can also rotate along the spiral trajectory of the groove 210 during movement. Therefore, this design not only realizes the forward movement of the cell brush head 100, but also gives it a rotational function, greatly improving the efficiency and quality of cell collection.

[0060] It is understandable that, in some embodiments, the choice of materials for the rack and pinion 510 and the rotating gear 520 can affect the overall efficiency and durability of the drive assembly 500. For example, using high-hardness stainless steel to make the rack and pinion 510 and the rotating gear 520 can reduce wear and extend service life while ensuring sufficient strength. Furthermore, for certain specific environments, such as the sterilization requirements in the medical field, highly corrosion-resistant titanium alloy materials can be selected to ensure that they maintain good working condition after multiple sterilizations.

[0061] It is understandable that by controlling parameters such as the number of teeth and tooth pitch of the track rack 510 and the rotating gear 520, the operator can adjust the feed amount fed to the brush head 100 through the rotating gear 520 to adapt to different working conditions with different precision requirements.

[0062] Understandably, in some embodiments, an electronic control system can be incorporated into the drive assembly 500 to facilitate operation and control of the cell brush's movement. For example, by driving a rotating gear 520 with an electric motor, the forward and rotational speeds of the inner housing 200 can be precisely controlled, thereby better adapting to sampling sites of different sizes and shapes. Furthermore, by combining sensor technology to monitor the moving distance and rotation angle of the inner housing 200 in real time, operators can complete cell sampling tasks more accurately. Such intelligent upgrades not only improve work efficiency but also enhance sampling accuracy.

[0063] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7In some embodiments, the inner housing 200 includes a first end and a second end distributed opposite to each other along a first direction X. The first end is connected to the brush head 100, and the track rack 510 abuts against the second end. The track rack 510 abuts against the inner housing 200 along the first direction X, and through its meshing with the rotating gear 520, converts the rotational motion into linear movement of the inner housing 200. When the rotating gear 520 rotates, due to the mechanical engagement between the rack and the gear, the track rack 510 drives the inner housing 200 to move forward or backward along the first direction X. This process not only achieves linear movement of the inner housing 200 relative to the outer housing 300, but also, due to the design of the slide groove 210 and the positioning pin 400, allows the inner housing 200 to rotate along the helical path of the slide groove 210. Therefore, this structural design ensures that the cell brush can both move forward and rotate automatically during use, resulting in more sufficient contact between the brush head 100 and the target location, thus improving the efficiency of cell sampling.

[0064] Understandably, in some embodiments, to improve the stability of the connection between the inner housing 200 and the track rack 510, anti-slip textures can be provided at the second end of the stepped surface 220. For example, using a fine serrated texture can increase the friction between the track rack 510 and the stepped surface 220, preventing slippage during operation. Furthermore, fasteners with self-locking functions can be used to secure the track rack 510 to further enhance the connection strength between it and the inner housing 200.

[0065] It is understood that in some embodiments, the position and size of the step surface 220 can be adjusted according to specific application requirements. For example, for applications requiring greater thrust, the area of ​​the step surface 220 can be increased to enhance the support of the track rack 510 on the inner housing 200, thereby allowing greater driving force to act on the cell brush. Simultaneously, changing the distance between the step surface 220 and the brush head 100 can also affect the operational flexibility of the entire device, adapting to different sampling environments.

[0066] It is understandable that the position where the track rack 510 abuts against the inner housing 200 is not limited to the end of the inner housing 200. In some embodiments, a protruding structure may also be provided at the middle section of the inner housing 200, and the track rack 510 abuts against the protruding structure to realize the transmission of movement of the inner housing 200.

[0067] Reference Figure 6In some embodiments, the cell brush includes an elastic element 600, and the inner housing 200 has a stepped surface 220 protruding along a first direction perpendicular to the first direction. The stepped surface 220 is located between a first end and a second end, and the elastic element 600 abuts against the side of the stepped surface 220 opposite to the track rack 510. The main function of the elastic element 600 is to provide a reverse restoring force to help the inner housing 200 return to its initial position after completing a sampling action. When the inner housing 200 moves along the first direction X under the action of an external force, the elastic element 600 is compressed; once the external force disappears, the elastic element 600 releases the stored energy, pushing the inner housing 200 back to its original position.

[0068] Furthermore, the operator only needs to control the rotating gear 520 to push the inner housing 200 along the first direction X. When the inner housing 200 moves to its limit position along the first direction X, the operator releases the force on the rotating gear 520. Then, under the action of the elastic element 600, the inner housing 200 moves in a spiral motion along the trajectory of the slide groove 210 in the opposite direction of the first direction X. It can be seen that the brush head 100 of this application performs a spiral motion when advancing in the first direction X, and also performs a spiral motion when resetting in the direction of the first direction X. Therefore, the cell brush of this application has a higher efficiency in collecting cells.

[0069] It is understandable that, in some embodiments, the prestress of the return spring 610 can be adjusted to optimize its working efficiency. By changing the original length of the spring or selecting springs of different stiffness, the magnitude of the return force can be adjusted to adapt to different operational requirements. For example, in some delicate operations, a smaller return force is sufficient, while in scenarios requiring rapid return, a stronger return force may be necessary.

[0070] Reference Figure 6Specifically, in some embodiments, the inner housing 200 includes a first shaft segment 230 and a second shaft segment 240, which are distributed along a first direction X. The first shaft segment 230 is connected to the second shaft segment 240 via a stepped surface 220. Since the diameter of the first shaft segment 230 is smaller than the diameter of the second shaft segment 240, the first shaft segment 230 connects to the inner ring edge of the stepped surface 220, and the second shaft segment 240 connects to the outer ring edge of the stepped surface 220. The track rack 510 abuts against this stepped surface 220 and achieves linear movement and rotational motion of the inner housing 200 through its meshing with the rotating gear 520. The elastic element 600 includes a return spring 610, which is sleeved on the first shaft segment 230. The return spring 610 effectively provides a restoring force to the inner housing 200 using its elasticity. When the cell brush is in operation, the return spring 610 is compressed; once the operation is finished, the return spring 610 releases the stored energy, helping the inner housing 200 return to its initial position, thus providing the necessary restoring force for the inner housing 200. This design helps simplify the operation process of the cell brush and improves user portability and efficiency.

[0071] It is understood that in some embodiments, in addition to using a return spring 610 as the elastic element 600, other types of elastic elements, such as bellows or elastic diaphragms, may be used. For example, using a metal bellows instead of the return spring 610 can not only provide a similar reset function but also enhance the sealing of the structure to a certain extent, preventing external impurities from entering the inner housing 200 and affecting the operation of the internal mechanical components. Furthermore, the bellows can be designed in different shapes and sizes according to actual needs to meet specific operating environment requirements.

[0072] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the drive assembly 500 includes a fixed shaft 530, and the rotating gear 520 has a connecting hole 521, the axis of which is perpendicular to the first direction X. The outer casing 300 has a shaft hole 320, and the fixed shaft 530 passes through the shaft hole 320 and the connecting hole 521 in sequence, allowing the rotating gear 520 to rotate freely around the axis of the fixed shaft 530. This design ensures that the rotating gear 520 can rotate smoothly under external force, while converting the rotation into linear motion of the track rack 510. Specifically, when the user applies force to the lever 522 on the rotating gear 520 in some way (such as by pressing a button), the rotating gear 520 begins to rotate, thereby driving the track rack 510 to move along the first direction X, realizing the linear movement and rotation of the inner casing 200 relative to the outer casing 300. This structure is simple and effective, and can stably perform the expected function.

[0073] It is understood that, in some embodiments, to improve the durability of the rotating gear 520 and reduce wear, a lubricating material can be added between the connecting hole 521 and the fixed shaft 530, or a self-lubricating bearing can be used. For example, using a Teflon coating or a graphite-based lubricant can significantly reduce the coefficient of friction, extend the service life of the component, and maintain long-term stable performance.

[0074] Understandably, in some embodiments, a modular drive assembly 500 can be designed to facilitate maintenance and parts replacement. For example, the rotating gear 520, fixed shaft 530, and associated mechanical components can be combined into a single unit, which can be easily installed or removed using a quick-connect device. In this way, if a component fails or requires upgrades, only the corresponding module needs to be replaced, eliminating the need for extensive overhaul of the entire cell brush, significantly improving the maintainability and flexibility of the equipment.

[0075] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 11 In some embodiments, the outer casing 300 has a button groove 330, and the rotating gear 520 has a radially protruding lever 522. The button groove 330 extends along a first direction X, and the lever 522 passes through the button groove 330, with at least a portion of the lever 522 exposed on the side of the button groove 330 opposite to the inner casing 200. This design allows the user to drive the rotation of the rotating gear 520 by operating the exposed portion of the lever 522. Specifically, when the user presses or pulls the lever 522, the rotating gear 520 begins to rotate about a fixed axis 530, thereby driving the track rack 510 to move along the first direction X. Since the track rack 510 is connected to the inner casing 200, the inner casing 200 will rotate and move linearly along the helical path of the slide groove 210.

[0076] Understandably, in some embodiments, a spring-loaded mechanism can be provided within the button slot 330 to improve the feel and accuracy of operation. For example, a compression spring can be used to push the lever 522 to a default position, so that the lever 522 will automatically spring back to the initial position without external force, ensuring that each operation starts from the same point, increasing the consistency and accuracy of operation. In addition, anti-slip textures can be added to the surface of the lever 522 or a high-friction coefficient material can be used to enhance the friction between the finger and the lever 522 and prevent slippage.

[0077] It is understood that in some embodiments, the length and shape of the lever 522 can be adjusted to accommodate different operational needs. For example, for applications requiring higher torque, a longer lever 522 can be designed to reduce the force required by lever principle; while in cases of limited space, a shorter but more robust design can be chosen to ensure sufficient strength while occupying less space. Furthermore, the lever 522 can be equipped with replaceable head components, allowing for quick replacement of different types of actuating ends, such as round, flat, or other special shapes, to better adapt to specific operating environments.

[0078] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the brush head 100 includes a main body 110 and bristles 120. The bristles 120 are connected to the main body 110 and protrude from it. The ends of the bristles 120 are bent (e.g., bent at 90-180 degrees). This design allows the bristles 120 to fit more closely to the target surface, thereby effectively acquiring cell samples. When the brush head 100 enters the sampling area, the bent ends of the bristles 120 first contact the surface. As it advances further, the bristles 120 gradually flatten and closely conform to the surface contour, increasing the contact area between the bristles 120 and the target area. This not only helps improve cell collection efficiency but also reduces the risk of damage to surrounding tissues. In addition, the elastic properties of the bristles 120 allow them to adapt to target surfaces of different shapes and hardness during collection, ensuring operational flexibility and wide applicability.

[0079] It is understood that in some embodiments, the bristles 120 may be made of different materials to meet the needs of specific application scenarios. For example, using nylon fibers as the bristle material is suitable for routine cell collection tasks due to its good flexibility and abrasion resistance; while choosing a softer silicone material is suitable for sensitive areas requiring particularly gentle handling. In addition, it is also possible to coat the surface of the bristles 120 with a special coating, such as an antibacterial coating or a lubricant, to improve hygiene standards or reduce the frictional resistance of the bristles 120 to surrounding tissues during insertion and removal.

[0080] Understandably, in some embodiments, to further optimize cell collection, tiny suction holes or channels can be integrated into the brush head 100. For example, a series of tiny suction holes can be provided near the base of the bristles 120. These holes are connected to a small vacuum pump via internal channels. When the brush head 100 contacts the target area, the vacuum pump is activated to generate negative pressure, helping to attract loose cells and making them more easily adhere to the bristles 120. This method not only improves cell collection efficiency but also reduces cell loss due to physical friction, making it particularly suitable for tasks requiring high-precision sample collection.

[0081] Refer to 1 to Figure 4 In some embodiments, the brush head 100 includes a main body 110 and a flexible ball head 130. The main body 110 is connected to the inner housing 200 via a cable 700, while the flexible ball head 130 is connected to the end of the main body 110 away from the cable 700. This structural design allows the brush head 100 to not only move linearly in the first direction X, but also to adapt to target surfaces of different shapes via the flexible ball head 130. Specifically, when the cell brush enters the sampling area, the flexible ball head 130 first contacts the target surface and automatically adjusts its posture according to the surface contour to ensure that the bristles 120 maintain the optimal contact angle with the target surface. Simultaneously, since the main body 110 is connected to the inner housing 200 via the cable 700, this ensures effective control of the brush head 100 even in complex operating environments, improving the flexibility and accuracy of the cell collection process.

[0082] Furthermore, when the cell brush of this application is used in an endoscope, the flexible ball head 130 is designed to protect human tissue.

[0083] Understandably, in some embodiments, to enhance the adaptability and durability of the flexible ball head 130, it can be manufactured using multi-layered composite materials. For example, the outermost layer uses a soft and biocompatible silicone material, the middle layer uses a highly elastic polyurethane foam, and the innermost layer is a high-strength fiber woven mesh. This multi-layered structure ensures that the flexible ball head 130 has good responsiveness to external pressure while effectively preventing damage caused by excessive deformation, thus extending its service life. Furthermore, micro-sensors can be integrated inside the flexible ball head 130 to monitor the applied pressure in real time, thereby helping operators better control the sampling force and avoid unnecessary damage to tissues.

[0084] It is understood that the design of the main body 110 can be varied in some embodiments to meet different needs. For example, the main body 110 can adopt a telescopic design, allowing its length to be adjusted according to actual needs. Such a design can increase the operating range of the brush head 100 without changing the overall size, which is particularly suitable for situations requiring sampling in narrow spaces. In addition, multiple connection points can be provided in the main body 110 to flexibly replace or add additional functional modules, such as lighting devices, cameras, etc., according to different application scenarios, further improving the functionality and practicality of the device.

[0085] The main body 110 can also be designed with a buffer spring along the first direction X. Specifically, when the flexible ball head 130 contacts the target area, the buffer spring of the main body 110 is compressed, releasing excessive pressure on the target area, thereby further protecting the target area. This design is particularly important for protecting human tissue, especially in scenarios where cell brushes are used for the detection and treatment of human tissue.

[0086] Reference Figures 1 to 4 In some embodiments, the cell brush includes an outer tube 800, which is fitted over a brush head 100 and a pull cable 700. The brush head 100 can be exposed outside the outer tube 800 or retracted inside the outer tube 800 along a first direction X. The main purpose of this design is to protect the brush head 100 from external environmental influences and to facilitate cell storage and transport. In the unused state, the brush head 100 is fully retracted inside the outer tube 800, at which point the entire cell brush has a compact shape for easy carrying; when ready for use, simply push the brush head 100 out of the outer tube 800 along the first direction X to begin operation. During this process, the positioning pin 400 guides the inner housing 200 to rotate and advance along the path of the groove 210, ensuring that the brush head 100 can be smoothly extended or retracted, providing a stable and reliable operating experience.

[0087] Understandably, in some embodiments, an antibacterial coating can be applied to the inner wall of the outer tube 800 to reduce the possibility of bacterial growth and improve hygiene standards. For certain specific applications, such as those requiring prolonged exposure to humid environments, a waterproof membrane can also be wrapped around the outside of the outer tube 800 to further enhance its protective performance.

[0088] Understandably, in some embodiments, to simplify the extension and retraction process of the brush head 100, an automatic propulsion mechanism can be provided inside the outer tube 800. For example, a spring-loaded mechanism or a small electric actuator can be used to replace manual operation. When the corresponding button or switch is triggered, the automatic propulsion mechanism drives the brush head 100 to be quickly and smoothly extended from the outer tube 800, completing the preparation work. Similarly, when it is necessary to retract the brush head 100, simply reactivate the mechanism, and the brush head 100 will automatically retract back into the outer tube 800. This method not only improves work efficiency but also reduces errors caused by human factors, making it particularly suitable for medical or scientific research fields with high precision requirements.

[0089] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 11The following describes the working mode of the cell brush of this application when used as an endoscope, using a specific embodiment. First, the brush head 100 is connected to the inner housing 200 via a cable 700. The outer housing 300 is fitted onto the inner housing 200, and the opening of the outer housing 300 is sealed by a handle 900. Both the brush head 100 and the cable 700 are placed inside the outer tube 800, which is then inserted into the target location of the human tissue. Then, the outer tube 800 is pulled down, exposing the brush head 100. Next, the user presses the lever 522 of the drive gear, causing the track rack 510 to advance against the inner housing 200 in a first direction X. As the inner housing 200 advances in the first direction X, it is spirally advanced due to its own spiral groove 210 and the action of the positioning pin 400 mounted on the outer housing 300. At this time, the brush head 100 and the cable 700 connected to the inner housing 200 both move spirally with the inner housing 200.

[0090] The following describes the movement of the cell brush after the user cancels the pressure on the lever 522 of the rotating gear 520. When the pressure is canceled, the inner housing 200 is propelled in the opposite direction (X) by the force of the return spring 610 on the stepped surface 220 of the inner housing 200. Due to the spiral groove 210 of the inner housing 200 itself and the positioning pin 400 mounted on the outer housing 300, the inner housing 200 also moves in a spiral motion in the opposite direction (X). Therefore, the brush head 100 continues its spiral motion at this time. After the brush head 100 has finished sampling, the outer tube 800 is advanced in the first direction (X), so that the brush head 100 is housed within the outer tube 800 and protected from other environmental factors. Finally, the entire outer tube 800 is removed from the human tissue, completing the sampling process.

[0091] In summary, when operating the cell brush of this application, the user only needs to press down the lever 522 intermittently to make the brush head 100 move back and forth in a spiral motion within a certain range. The cell brush of this application is simple to operate, has a large sampling volume, and high sampling efficiency, and the sampled cells are protected by the outer tube 800 and are not disturbed. The above are only preferred embodiments of this utility model and do not limit the patent scope of this utility model. All equivalent structural transformations made under the utility model concept and using the content of this utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A cell brush, characterized in that, The cell brush comprises: a brush head for collecting cells; an inner housing connected to the brush head, the inner housing having a peripheral wall surface arranged circumferentially around a first direction, the peripheral wall surface being recessed with a sliding groove spirally extending along the first direction; an outer housing sleeved on the inner housing, the outer housing being provided with a pin hole penetrating through the outer housing along a recess direction of the sliding groove; a positioning pin penetrating through the pin hole, an end of the positioning pin extending into the sliding groove to be in sliding connection with the sliding groove; a driving assembly connected to the inner housing, the driving assembly driving the inner housing to move along the first direction so that the inner housing rotates along an extension path of the sliding groove relative to the outer housing.

2. The cell brush of claim 1, wherein, The driving assembly comprises a rack and a rotating gear, the rack being connected to the inner housing along the first direction, the rotating gear being in mesh with the rack, the rotating gear rotating to drive the rack to move along the first direction.

3. The cell brush of claim 2, wherein, The inner housing comprises a first end and a second end oppositely distributed along the first direction, the first end being connected to the brush head, the rack abutting against the second end.

4. The cell brush of claim 3, wherein, The cell brush comprises an elastic member, the inner housing having a step surface protruding perpendicularly to the first direction, the step surface being located between the first end and the second end, the elastic member abutting against a side of the step surface away from the rack.

5. The cell brush of claim 4, wherein, The inner housing comprises a first shaft segment and a second shaft segment distributed along the first direction, the first shaft segment being connected to the second shaft segment through the step surface, the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment both having an axis direction parallel to the first direction, the first shaft segment having a smaller diameter than the second shaft segment, the elastic member comprising a return spring, the return spring being sleeved on the first shaft segment.

6. The cell brush of claim 2, wherein, The driving assembly comprises a fixed shaft, the rotating gear being provided with a connecting hole having an axis perpendicular to the first direction, the outer housing being provided with a shaft hole, the fixed shaft penetrating through the shaft hole and the connecting hole in sequence so that the rotating gear can rotate around an axis of the fixed shaft.

7. The cell brush of claim 6, wherein, The outer housing is provided with a button slot, the rotating gear comprising a dial lever protruding along a radial direction, the button slot extending along the first direction, the dial lever penetrating through the button slot, and at least part of the dial lever being exposed to a side of the button slot away from the inner housing.

8. The cell brush of claim 1, wherein, The brush head comprises a main body and a brush hair, the brush hair being connected to the main body and protruding from the main body, an end of the brush hair being bent.

9. The cell brush of claim 1, wherein, The brush head comprises a main body and a flexible ball head, the main body being connected to the inner housing through a pull cable, the flexible ball head being connected to an end of the main body away from the pull cable.

10. The cell brush of claim 9, wherein, The cell brush comprises an outer tube, the outer tube being sleeved on the brush head, the brush head being configured to be exposed to the outer tube along the first direction or to extend into the outer tube along the first direction.

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