# US 9,750,483 B2 · Cytology brush devices and methods of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,483 B2 - Document ID: US9750483B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/303,953 - Filed: 2014-06-13 - Published: 2015-01-01 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-06-26 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Inventors: James Weldon; Larry E. Stanton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750483B2 ## CPC - A61B 10/02: Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy {(A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48)} - A61B 1/00131: {Accessories for endoscopes} - A61B 2010/0216: {Sampling brushes} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a cytology brush may include an elongated shaft including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The cytology brush may also include a plurality of bristles mounted on the distal end portion of the elongated shaft. The plurality of bristles may be arranged at least partially around the distal end portion of the elongated shaft, and may be configured to engage tissue. An outer surface of at least one of the bristles may include a micropattern formed by a plurality of protrusions or recesses. The plurality of protrusions or recesses may be separated by one or more gaps. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cytology brush, comprising: an elongated shaft including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and a plurality of elongated bristles each having a longitudinal axis, the plurality of elongated bristles mounted on the distal end portion of the elongated shaft with the longitudinal axis of each bristle extending radially away from the elongated shaft, the plurality of bristles being arranged at least partially around the distal end portion of the elongated shaft and configured to engage tissue; wherein an outer surface of one of the plurality of bristles includes a micropattern formed by a plurality of protrusions or recesses extending radially outward or inward from the outer surface of the bristle, separated by one or more gaps, wherein the plurality of protrusions or recesses are arranged in longitudinally extending columns separated by the one or more gaps, or the plurality of protrusions or recesses are arranged in circumferentially extending rows separated by the one or more gaps. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cytology brush of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions or recesses have one of a rectangular or circular cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cytology brush of claim 1, wherein the protrusions or recesses have a width between 10 and 20 micrometers, and each of the one or more gaps has a width of between 10 and 20 micrometers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cytology brush of claim 1, wherein the micropattern is configured to exert a holding force on cells from the tissue when the plurality of bristles engage the tissue. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cytology brush of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bristles are helically arranged around the distal end portion of the elongated shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cytology brush of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bristles are made of at least one filament. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The cytology brush of claim 6, wherein the at least one filament includes a multicomponent filament, the multicomponent filament including a core surrounded by one or more layers arranged concentrically around the core. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The cytology brush of claim 6, wherein the at least one filament includes a monofilament. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The cytology brush of claim 6, wherein the at least one filament is made of at least one of nylon and a polymer. ### Claim 10 A medical device, comprising: a cytology brush, including: an elongated shaft including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a plurality of elongated bristles each having a longitudinal axis, the plurality of elongated bristles mounted on the distal end portion of the elongated shaft with the longitudinal axis of each bristle extending radially away from the elongated shaft, the plurality of bristles being arranged at least partially around the distal end portion of the elongated shaft and configured to engage tissue, wherein an outer surface of one of the plurality of bristles includes a micropattern formed by a plurality of protrusions or recesses extending radially outward or inward from the outer surface of the bristle, separated by one or more gaps, wherein the plurality of protrusions or recesses are arranged in longitudinally extending columns separated by the one or more gaps, or the plurality of protrusions or recesses are arranged in circumferentially extending rows separated by the one or more gaps; and a sheath including a central lumen and a distal end opening, wherein the central lumen is configured to receive at least a portion of the cytology brush, and at least a portion of the cytology brush is configured to pass through the distal end opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The medical device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of protrusions or recesses are arranged in longitudinally extending columns separated by the one or more gaps, and are arranged in circumferentially extending rows separated by the one or more gaps. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The medical device of claim 10, wherein the protrusions or recesses have a width between 10 and 20 micrometers, and each of the one or more gaps has a width of between 10 and 20 micrometers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The medical device of claim 10, wherein the micropattern is configured to exert a holding force on cells from the tissue when the plurality of bristles engage the tissue. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The medical device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of bristles are helically arranged around the distal end portion of the elongated shaft. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The cytology brush of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of each of the plurality of bristles includes the micropattern formed by a plurality of protrusions or recesses, separated by one or more gaps. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The medical device of claim 10, wherein the outer surface of each of the plurality of bristles includes the micropattern formed by a plurality of protrusions or recesses, separated by one or more gaps.