Absorbent paper and use thereof for breast cancer detection
AssigneeAtossa Genetics, Inc.
InventorsSteven C. Quay, Shu-Chih Chen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Biological samples of mammary fluid or components thereof are obtained using a breast pump device coupled with an absorbent paper or membrane, optionally facilitated by administering oxytocin to the subject. The breast pump device stimulates expression of mammary fluid and provides for collection of diagnostic samples on the absorbent paper or membrane to evaluate breast disease, including cancer. The biological sample may include fluid containing one or more of cells or cellular components, proteins, glycoproteins, peptides, nucleotides or other desired constituents comprising a breast disease marker. Absorbent paper or membrane, and methods relating to the paper or membrane, and a breast pump device are also provided.
Claims14
A method of identifying a risk of developing breast cancer in an individual in need thereof, the method comprising:
- a) detecting a total amount of protein and/or a number of cells in a nipple aspirate fluid sample absorbed onto a nipple covering comprising an absorbent paper, wherein said absorbent paper comprises microcellulose, mixed cellulose ester paper or nitrocellulose, and the absorbent paper having a diameter from about 1.0 inches to about 3.0 inches and a thickness from about 0.01 inches to about 0.1 inches, wherein the absorbent paper is sized to cover a nipple;
- and
- b) identifying the risk for developing breast cancer based on the total amount of protein and/or the number of cells of the nipple aspirate fluid sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.