Self-sampling brush and method for use
AssigneeWallach Surgical Devices, Inc.
InventorRonald M. Wallach
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device is provided for self-sampling a body cavity, in particular the cervix, and a method is provided to use the device to obtain samples from the cervix for testing for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. The device includes elongated flexible bristles attached to a handle to form a mop-like sampling member. The sampling member is slidably disposed within an annular shield for insertion into the vaginal cavity and for positioning in contact with the cervix. After the shield is located in position, the shield is partially withdrawn to expose the elongated bristles to the cervix. The sampling member is rotated to mop the cervix and obtain a sample of cervical cells on the elongated bristles. The sampling device is then withdrawn from the vaginal cavity and the sample is sent for analysis.
Claims12
A device for obtaining a sample from a body cavity, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of elongated flexible bristles of approximately uniform length connected to a handle to form a mop-like sample collecting member, said bristles being disposed in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the handle;
- and
- (b) an annular insertion shield having a proximal end and a distal end, said sample collecting member being slidably disposed within said insertion shield such that the device is adapted for insertion into a body cavity, whereby the handle of said sample collecting member extends through the proximal end of the insertion shield and the elongated bristles on said sample collecting member are slid through and extended beyond the distal end of the insertion shield for obtaining a sample from a body cavity.
A method for obtaining a cervical tissue sample from the vaginal cavity of a female human being, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a cervical sampling device including a plurality of elongated flexible bristles of approximately uniform length attached to a handle to form a mop-like sample collecting member, said bristles being disposed in a direction parallel to the axis of said handle, and said sample collecting member being slidably disposed within an annular insertion shield having an open distal end;
- (b) inserting said insertion shield into the vaginal cavity until the open distal end of said insertion shield is proximate to the cervix;
- (c) partially retracting said insertion shield to expose the bristles of said sample collecting member with said bristles of said sample collecting member contacting the cervix;
- (d) rotating said cervical sampling device such that said elongated bristles on said sample collecting member mop the cervix to collect a sample of cervical tissue;
- (e) retracting the handle of the sample collecting member while holding the insertion shield in place to retract said elongated bristles of said sample collecting member into said insertion shield;
- (f) removing said cervical sampling device from the vaginal cavity;
- and
- (g) submitting the collected cervical tissue sample for analysis.
A method for obtaining a cervical tissue sample from the vaginal cavity of a female human being, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a cervical sampling device including a plurality of elongated flexible bristle of approximately uniform length attached to a handle to form a mop-like sample collecting member, said sample collecting member being slidably disposed within an annular insertion shield having a closed arcuate distal end, said closed arcuate distal end having slots therein such that the closed arcuate distal end can be opened upon application of force to the inner surface thereof;
- (b) inserting said insertion shield into the vaginal cavity until the closed arcuate distal end of said insertion shield is proximate to the cervix;
- (c) retracting said insertion shield to expose the bristles of said sample collecting member, said bristles of said sample collecting member contacting the cervix;
- (d) rotating said cervical sampling device such that said elongated bristles on said sample collecting member mop the cervix to collect a sample of cervical tissue;
- (e) retracting the handle of the sample collecting member while holding the insertion shield in place to retract said elongated bristles of said sample collecting member into said insertion shield;
- (f) removing said cervical sampling device from the vaginal cavity;
- and
- (g) submitting the collected cervical tissue sample for analysis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.