Brush biopsy device, kit and method

A tissue biopsy method, comprising:

• providing a conduit surrounding a displaceable element, a tissue sampling device on an end of the displaceable element, a plunger, and a stop affixed to an exterior wall of the conduit;
• inserting an end of the conduit into an anatomical orifice of a canal, until the stop contacts an exterior organ surface of the organ a portion of the conduit extends through the canal into an organ cavity beyond the canal to a predetermined insertion depth;
• extending the tissue sampling device from a first position contained within the conduit to a second position extending from the conduit within the organ cavity while maintaining contact between the stop and the exterior organ surface;
• manipulating the tissue sampling device to obtain a cellular sample tissue from an inner wall of the organ cavity without trauma to the inner wall while maintaining contact between the stop and the exterior organ surface;
• withdrawing the tissue sampling device from the second position to the first position, while withdrawing the plunger away from the end of the conduit, to draw a fluid sample from within the organ cavity into the conduit;
• and
• withdrawing the conduit from the canal and separating the stop from contact with the exterior organ surface.

A tissue biopsy device, comprising:

• a tube having a diameter of less than 3 mm, and a coaxial insert within the tube configured to transmit tensile and compressive forces, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end, a portion of the coaxial insert extending beyond the proximal end of the tube;
• a brush having an atraumatic tip affixed at a distal end of the coaxial insert, preceded by a plunger, having:
• a first state in which a compressive force on the coaxial insert at the proximal end causes the brush contained within the tube to move outward beyond the distal end of the tube, and
• a second state in which a tensile force on the coaxial insert at the proximal end causes the plunger to draw surrounding fluid into the distal end of the tube, and thereafter to draw the brush into the distal end of the tube;
• and
• a stop at an exterior wall of the tube, configured to maintain the distal end of the tube at a predetermined insertion depth within an anatomical canal to an organ cavity beyond the anatomical canal.