Cytology brush with releasable end portion

• US 20040260201A1
• Filed: 06/23/2003
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Theodore Collateral Agent Lachowicz
• Original Assignee: Theodore Collateral Agent Lachowicz
• Inventors: Mueller, Richard L. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/602,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20040260201A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/569
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0041 Detection of breast cancer mammography by transillumination A61B5/0091, by X-rays A61B6/502, by ultrasonic means A61B8/0825
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/04 Endoscopic instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0216 Sampling brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3908 Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue

Abstract

A cytology brush suitable for conducting a brushing biopsy within a mammary duct of a human patient is provided. The cytology brush comprises a handle and a detachable or releasable brush. After a brushing biopsy the brush end can be released and retained in the collection vessel. Optionally, a dispensable biopsy site marker is carried by the brush and can be left in place after biopsy.

Claims

1. A cytology brush, sized for entry into a mammary duct of a human patient and comprising:

a bristle shank;

a bristle structure on the shank and having bristles of sufficient stiffness to loosen cytology material lining the mammary duct without substantial traumatization of mammary duct tissue;

a brush handle; and

a coupling for releasably attaching the bristle shank to the brush handle.

2. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bristle shank has an atraumatic tip.

3. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bristles are nylon bristles.

4. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coupling is a threaded connection between the shank and the handle.

5. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coupling is a friction connection between the shank and the handle.

6. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 5, wherein the friction connection is a collar.

7. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coupling is a claw carried by the brush handle and releasably engaging the bristle shank.

8. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coupling is a corkscrew in the handle and releasably engages the bristle shank.

9. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 1, further including an elongated housing for the brush handle and a biopsy site marker releasably carried by the cytology brush in the elongated housing.

10. The cytology brush of claim 9, wherein the biopsy site marker is an outwardly biased coil releasably mounted to the bristle shank.

11. The cytology brush of claim 1, further including a detent for limiting axial travel of the brush handle within the elongated housing.

12. The cytology brush of claim 11, wherein the detent is removably secured to the brush handle.

13. The cytology brush of claim 11, wherein the brush handle is slidably mounted in the elongated housing and the detent is integral with the elongated housing.

14. The cytology brush of claim 11, wherein the brush handle is slidably mounted in the elongated housing and the detent is mounted to the elongated housing in a hinged relationship therewith.

15. A cytology brush, sized for entry into a mammary duct of a human patient and comprising:

a bristle shank;

a bristle structure on the shank and having bristles of sufficient stiffness to loosen cells lining the mammary duct without substantial traumatization of mammary duct tissue; and

a detachable brush handle operably associated with the bristle shank.

16. The cytology brush of claim 15, wherein the brush handle is connected to the bristle shank by a detachable coupling.

17. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 16, wherein the coupling is a threaded connection between the shank and the handle.

18. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 16, wherein the coupling is a friction connection between the shank and the handle.

19. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 16, wherein the friction connection is a collar.

20. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 16, wherein the coupling is a claw carried by the brush handle and releasably engaging the bristle shank.

21. A cytology brush, sized for entry into a mammary duct of a human patient and comprising:

a bristle shank;

a bristle structure on the shank with bristles of stiffness sufficient to loosen cytological material lining the mammary duct without substantial traumatization of mammary duct tissue;

a detachable brush handle for the bristle shank; and

a dispensable, opaque marker carried by the cytology brush.

22. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 21 and further provided with a detent operably associated with the bristle shank for preventing inadvertent release of the detachable brush handle.

23. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 21 wherein the detent is mounted to the detachable brush handle.

24. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 21 wherein the brush handle is slidably received within a housing and the detent is situated on the housing for operable engagement with the brush handle.

25. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 24 wherein the detent is a pivotable arm on the housing.

26. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 24 wherein the marker is a titanium coil carried on the bristle shank.

27. The cytology brush in accordance with claim 24 wherein the housing is a tubular housing.