Catheter with simutaneous brush cytology and scrape biopsy capability

• US 5,738,109 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 04/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vinod K. Parasher
• Original Assignee: Vinod K. Parasher
• Inventors: Parasher, Vinod K.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US08/472,122
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 128/749, 128/756, 128/757, 128/759
• US Class Current: 600/569
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0216 Sampling brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320008 Scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320012 Brushes

Abstract

A medical device performs simultaneous brush cytology and scrape biopsy on structures within an organic duct by collecting cells and tissue on a brush having irregular semi-rigid bristles, preferably formed as the hook portion of a hook and pile fastener (e.g., the hook potion of a Velcro pad). A wire guided catheter has a brush strip located near a distal end for insertion into the duct. Once the distal end and brush are positioned at a selected location within the duct, the catheter is pushed and pulled back and forth to gather cells and scrapings from the selected location, which accumulate in the irregular bristles. The catheter can be enclosed in a retractable sleeve during insertion and/or withdrawal. An enlargement at the distal end of the catheter assists in opening the duct to admit the brush. A radio-opaque marker is externally detectable to assist in locating the brush at the selected location. The relatively stiff irregular bristles improve the extent to which cells and tissues can be collected and permit collection of enough tissue to provide a biopsy sample, without substantial risk of perforation of the duct.

Claims

1. A device for collecting cells from a duct, comprising:

a catheter forming a hollow tube with a brush located adjacent a distal end of the catheter, for insertion into the duct, wherein the brush is fabricated of a base web attached to the hollow tube, the base web having a plurality of radially extending, semi-rigid bristles that protrude from the base web, the bristles having irregular shaped tips whereby the cells are collected in the bristles by scraping the brush over an inner wall of the duct.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the bristles form closed loops.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the bristles have enlarged ends.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the bristles have one of ball-shaped and mushroom-shaped ends.

5. A method for collecting cells and tissue from a selected area within a duct, comprising:

placing a guide wire in the duct such that the guide wire passes the selected area;

inserting a catheter into the duct over the guide wire, the catheter having a brush formed from a base web attached to the catheter, the base web having a plurality of radially extending, semi-rigid bristles that protrude from the base web, said brush being coupled to a distal end of the catheter, the bristles being irregularly shaped bristles of a hook portion of a hook and pile fastener, operable to capture the cells and tissue;

advancing the catheter to position the brush at the selected area;

alternately pushing and pulling the brush back and forth at the selected area, whereupon the cells and tissue accumulate in the bristles; and

,

withdrawing the catheter and the brush from the duct.