Medical apparatus and method for collecting biological samples

A medical apparatus comprising:

• a first elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end defining an interior space therebetween;
• a second elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end defining an interior space therebetween,
• a filter membrane disposed in the interior space;
• and
• wherein the first elongate tubular body is at least partially disposed within the second elongate tubular body.

A medical apparatus comprising:

• an elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end defining an interior space therebetween;
• a filter membrane;
• at least one support member disposed within the elongate tubular member;
• and
• wherein the filter membrane is disposed at a midpoint between the proximal and distal ends of the elongate tubular body, the filter membrane configured to engage the at least one support member.

A method for preparing a collection of cells comprising:

• positioning a filter membrane within an elongate tubular body;
• introducing a biological sample into the filter membrane, the biological sample including at least one of tissue and fluid;
• placing the elongate tubular body into a centrifuge;
• centrifuging the elongate tubular body to separate the tissue from the fluid, the tissue being retained on the filter membrane;
• and
• removing the filter membrane from the elongate tubular body, and sectioning the filter membrane into a plurality of pieces.

A medical kit comprising:

• a needle;
• a first elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end defining an interior space therebetween, the first elongate tubular body having at least support member one disposed therein, the first elongate tubular body configured for insertion within a second elongate tubular body;
• a filter membrane;
• and
• wherein the filter membrane is disposed in mating engagement with the at least one support member of the first elongate tubular body, and at a midpoint between the proximal and distal ends of the second elongate tubular body.