METHODS AND DEVICES FOR FALLOPIAN TUBE DIAGNOSTICS
First Claim
1. A process of collecting cells from a lumen in a subject comprising:
- deploying a distal end of a catheter at the proximal end of the lumen;
everting a balloon on the distal end of the catheter to urge an extending portion into the lumen with sufficient force to dislodge the cells from an inner wall of the Fallopian tube; and
withdrawing said extending portion from the subject to collect the cells.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices for performing minimally invasive procedures useful for Fallopian tube diagnostics are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the proximal os of the Fallopian tube is accessed via an intrauterine approach; an introducer catheter is advanced to cannulate and form a fluid tight seal with the proximal os of the Fallopian tube; a second catheter inside the introducer catheter is provided to track the length of the Fallopian tube and out into the abdominal cavity; a balloon at the end of the second catheter is inflated and the second catheter is retracted until the balloon seals the distal os of the Fallopian tube; irrigation is performed substantially over the length of the Fallopian tube; and the irrigation fluid is recovered for cytology or cell analysis.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A process of collecting cells from a lumen in a subject comprising:
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deploying a distal end of a catheter at the proximal end of the lumen; everting a balloon on the distal end of the catheter to urge an extending portion into the lumen with sufficient force to dislodge the cells from an inner wall of the Fallopian tube; and withdrawing said extending portion from the subject to collect the cells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 21)
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7. A catheter comprising:
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a tube having a distal end; a balloon secured to the distal end; and an extending portion moveable between a retracted position and an extended position with inflation of said balloon. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification