Cytological sampling method and device
First Claim
1. A method for sampling cytologic material, comprising suctioning cytologic material directly into a container having fixative contained therein, such that said collected cytologic material is substantially immediately fixed.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device for collecting cytological samples is provided for suctioning material into a fixative container containing a sufficient amount of fixative so that collected cytological material is fixed substantially immediately after dislodgement. The sampling device includes a means for dislodging cytological material from the cervix uteri, a means for suctioning uterine cervical tissue under negative pressure, and a means for fixing collected cytological material. The sampling method and device is particularly useful for collecting cytological samples for morphological analysis and for collecting potentially HIV-infected cytological material without significant exposure to the healthcare worker.
41 Citations
26 Claims
- 1. A method for sampling cytologic material, comprising suctioning cytologic material directly into a container having fixative contained therein, such that said collected cytologic material is substantially immediately fixed.
-
17. A method for collecting cytological material that may be contaminated with infectious agents, comprising:
-
a) dislodging said cytological material using a sampling instrument suitably designed to contact mucous membrane tissue to dislodge desired cells; b) suctioning said cytological material directly into a container containing a sufficient amount of fixative therein to fix said collected cytological material; and c) contacting said cytological material with said fixative within about 0.5 seconds to about five seconds of collecting said cytological material. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for collecting cytological material that may be HIV-infected, comprising:
-
a) dislodging said cytological material using a sampling instrument suitably designed to contact mucous membrane tissue to dislodge desired cells; b) suctioning said cytological material directly into a container containing fixative such that said collected cytological material is fixed within about 0.5 seconds to about five seconds of dislodging said cytological material; and c) preparing said cytological material for analysis such that no direct bodily contact between a healthcare worker and said collected cytological material occurs following said step of dislodging said cytological material.
-
-
21. A method for collecting and fixing cytological material, comprising:
-
a) providing a means for dislodging cytological material from uterine cervical tissue; b) contacting said dislodging means to said uterine cervical tissue under negative pressure such that said dislodged cytological material is contacted with cytological fixative substantially immediately and prior to the occurrence of any significant morphological change to said cells due to exposure to air, said cytological material transferred directly from said dislodging means into a container containing a predetermined amount of fixative.
-
-
22. A device for collecting cytological material, comprising:
-
a) a means for dislodging cytological material from uterine cervical tissue; b) a means for suctioning said cytological material from said uterine cervical tissue under negative pressure, wherein said negative pressure is continually applied to allow collection of a pre-determined amount of cytological material, said suctioning means being operatively connected to said dislodging means; and c) a container having a sufficient amount of cytological fixative contained therein to fix said collected cytological material, said cytological material being directly transported into said container after being dislodged. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
-
- 25. A device for collecting cytological material from the cervix uteri, comprising a sampling instrument having a channel passing lengthwise there through, operatively connected to a fixative container having therein a sufficient amount of fixative to fix said cytological material.
Specification