Spatula for biological sampling
AssigneeRobert B. Cole
InventorRobert B. Cole
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Spatulas for biological sampling. The spatulas of the present invention include an elongated stem formed as a flat strip of uniform width, which has at one end thereof a flat scraper having a slit or an opening at about the center of the flat scrapper. At the other end, the elongated stem has either a second flat scraper or, alternatively, forms a rod-like handle.
Claims41
A spatula for biological sampling, said spatula comprising an elongated stem having a flat scraper at one end of said elongated stem, wherein said flat scraper has a slit at about the center of said flat scraper.
A spatula for biological sampling, said spatula comprising an elongated stem having a scraper portion at one end of said elongated stem, wherein said flat scraper has an opening defined therein.
A spatula for biologic sampling in combination with a cytobrush having a plurality of bristles at a first end of a handle, said bristles for collecting cellular material, the spatula comprising an elongated stem having a flat scraper portion at one end, said flat scraper portion including an opening defined therein having a first portion of sufficient size to receive the first end of the cytobrush without substantially disturbing the bristles and a second portion having a smaller size such that when the cytobrush is inserted into the first portion and removed through the second portion, a substantial portion of the cellular material on the bristles is removed onto the flat scraper portion.
A method of collecting cellular material on a spatula having a flat scraper portion at one end of an elongated stem, said flat scraper portion including an opening defined therein having a first portion of sufficient dimension to receive the first end of a cytobrush without substantially disturbing the bristles of said cytobrush and a second portion having a smaller dimension than the first portion, the method comprising:
- collecting cellular material on the bristles of a cytobrush;
- inserting the first end of the cytobrush into the first portion of said opening;
- and
- removing the first end of the cytobrush through the second portion of said opening whereby a substantial portion of the cellular material on the bristles is removed onto the flat scraper portion.
A method of collecting cellular material on a spatula having a flat scraper portion at one end of an elongated stem, said flat scraper portion including an opening defined therein and extending to the perimeter of the scraper portion, said opening being of sufficient width to receive the handle of a cytobrush, the method comprising:
- collecting cellular material on the bristles of a cytobrush, wherein the handle of said cytobrush has a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the bristles;
- inserting the handle of the cytobrush into said opening;
- and
- removing the bristles of the cytobrush through said opening whereby a substantial portion of the cellular material on the bristles is removed onto the flat scraper portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.