Cervical cancer self-screening methods and apparatus
OwnerMarcy L. Zwelling-Aamotinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An insert for the passive, painless, noninvasive self-collection of free endocervical cells by a subject includes a body and a substrate for cell collection. The body has a proximal end for manipulation by the subject and a distal end on which the cell-collecting substrate is disposed. The body is configured so that the substrate is positionable by the subject within the vagina, preferably near the vaginal portion of the cervix, to allow collection of free endocervical cells onto the cell-collection surface. After cells have been collected, the subject may place the cell-retaining substrate into a cell-suspension preservative contained in a sealable receptacle for transport to a laboratory for conventional analysis.
Claims24
A method for self-collecting free endocervical cells by a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
- positioning an outer cell-collection surface into the vagina to collect free endocervical cells on said cell-collection surface, said cell-collection surface adapted to collect free endocervical cells without contacting the vaginal portion of the cervix;
- removing said cell-collection surface;
- and
- transferring said free endocervical cells on said cell-collection surface to a preservative.
A method for self-collecting free endocervical cells by a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
- positioning an outer cell-collection surface in the vagina to collect free endocervical cells on said cell-collection surface without having said cell-collection surface contact the vaginal portion of the cervix;
- removing said cell-collection surface;
- and
- transferring said free endocervical cells on said cell-collection surface to a preservative.
Apparatus for the self-collection of free endocervical cells by a subject, said apparatus comprising:
- an insert including:
- a body having a proximal end for manipulation by the subject and a distal end with an outer cell-collection surface adapted to collect free endocervical cell without contacting the vaginal portion of the cervix;
- said body being configured so that said cell-collection surface is positionable by the subject within the vagina to allow collection of free endocervical cells onto said cell-collection surface;
- and
- a sealable receptacle containing a preservative for receiving free endocervical cells from said cell-collection surface.
Apparatus for the self-collection of free endocervical cells by a subject, said apparatus comprising:
- an insert including:
- a body having a proximal end for manipulation by the subject and a distal end with an outer cell-collection surface;
- and
- a substrate disposed on said body and including a cell-collection surface;
- said body being configured so that said cell-collection surface is positionable by the subject within the vagina to allow collection of free endocervical cells onto said cell-collection surface;
- and
- said body being configured so that said substrate is positionable by the subject within the vagina to allow collection of free endocervical cells onto said cell-collection surface of said substrate;
- and
- a sealable receptacle containing a preservative for receiving free endocervical cells from said cell-collection surface;
- wherein said body includes a carrier disposed on said distal end for retaining said substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.