Devices and methods with expandable brush for cervical and anal self-collecting specimens

A specimen collection device, comprising:

• an outer tubular member;
• and
• an inner tubular member inserted through the outer tubular member;
• a single-unit brush body comprising a plurality of petals and a plurality of bristles, the single-unit brush body attached to a string, the string of the brush body inserted through the inner tubular member;
• wherein the specimen collection device functions between a first state and a second state, the plurality of petals and the plurality of bristles on the brush body remaining in an unexpanded form during the first state, the plurality of petals and the plurality of bristles on the brush body expanding outward in an expanded form during the second state, and during the second state, the plurality of petals and the plurality of bristles collect a plurality of specimens from an orifice of a patient when inserted into the orifice for a predetermined amount of time.

A specimen self-collection device, comprising:

• an outer tubular member;
• and
• an inner tubular member inserted through the outer tubular member;
• a brush body with a string, the string of the brush body inserted through the inner tubular member, the brush body comprising a plurality of specimen collection elements;
• wherein the specimen self-collection device functions in a first state and a second state, the plurality of specimen collection elements on the brush body remaining in an unexpanded form during the first state, the plurality of specimen collection elements on the brush body expanding outward in an expanded form during the second state, and, during the second state, the plurality of specimen collection elements collects specimens when inserted into an orifice for a predetermined amount of time.