Cell collection device

A packaging apparatus for administering a retrievable probe to a patient, comprising:

• a probe;
• a retrieval thread tethered to the probe at a distal end of the retrieval thread, with a first portion of the retrieval thread packaged in a bundled state together with the probe for direct deployment within a body cavity of the patient, and a second portion of the retrieval thread packaged in a bundled state for deployment outside the body cavity of the patient;
• and
• an elongate applicator device configured to be partially insertable into the body cavity of a patient, the applicator device being tethered to a proximal end of the retrieval thread and configured to releasably stow the probe and bundled first portion of the retrieval thread at a first location on the applicator device for administration to the patient within the body cavity, and releasably stow the bundled second portion of the of the retrieval thread at a second location of the applicator device for deployment outside of the body cavity.

A method of administering a swallowable cell collection device to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an applicator device and swallowable cell collection device, the swallowable cell collection device comprising a retrieval thread tethered to a swallowable capsule at a distal end of the thread, with a first portion of the retrieval thread packaged in a bundled state together with the swallowable capsule;
• and the applicator device being tethered to a proximal end of the retrieval thread and configured to releasably stow the cell collection device and first portion of the retrieval thread;
• partially inserting the applicator device into the mouth of the patient such that the swallowable capsule and first portion of the retrieval thread are positioned behind the teeth of the patient;
• releasing the swallowable capsule and first portion of the retrieval thread from the applicator device for swallowing by the patient;
• collecting a cell sample from an internal location within the patient using the swallowable capsule;
• and
• manipulating the applicator device to retrieve the swallowable capsule together with the collected cell sample from the patient.