Methods and devices for collecting, handling and processing mammary fluid samples for evaluating breast diseases, including cancer
First Claim
1. A mammary fluid collection reservoir for collection, handling and processing biological samples of mammary fluid comprising:
- a rigid tube or vial adapted for removable, sealable engagement in a mammary fluid collection device to establish a gaseous and fluid connection between a breast engaging member of the collection device and an inner lumen of the rigid tube or vial, said rigid tube or vial having a top end defining a primary opening for collecting and accessing the mammary fluid sample and a cylindrical outer wall defining a reservoir lumen closed at a bottom end thereof, said outer wall defining one or more air ports that communicate between the outer wall and the lumen of the rigid tube or vial, further comprising closure means for sealably closing the tube or vial after the mammary fluid is introduced therein and the tube or vial is disengaged from the mammary fluid collection device, to seal the tube or vial and prevent sample contamination and spillage during handling and processing of the biological sample.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Biological samples of mammary fluid or components thereof are obtained using a breast pump device coupled with a solid phase sample collection medium, alternatively facilitated by administering oxytocin to the subject. The breast pump device stimulates expression of mammary fluid and provides for collection of diagnostic samples to evaluate breast disease, including cancer. The biological sample may include whole cells or cellular components, purified or bulk proteins, glycoproteins, peptides, nucleotides or other desired constituents comprising a breast disease marker. Methods, kits and adapter devices relating to the breast pump device are also provided. Yet additional methods, devices, accessories, and materials are provided for laboratory handling and processing of breast fluid samples and for related diagnostic methods.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A mammary fluid collection reservoir for collection, handling and processing biological samples of mammary fluid comprising:
a rigid tube or vial adapted for removable, sealable engagement in a mammary fluid collection device to establish a gaseous and fluid connection between a breast engaging member of the collection device and an inner lumen of the rigid tube or vial, said rigid tube or vial having a top end defining a primary opening for collecting and accessing the mammary fluid sample and a cylindrical outer wall defining a reservoir lumen closed at a bottom end thereof, said outer wall defining one or more air ports that communicate between the outer wall and the lumen of the rigid tube or vial, further comprising closure means for sealably closing the tube or vial after the mammary fluid is introduced therein and the tube or vial is disengaged from the mammary fluid collection device, to seal the tube or vial and prevent sample contamination and spillage during handling and processing of the biological sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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16. A method for handling or processing a biological sample of mammary fluid or a component thereof for use in a diagnostic assay to detect or quantify a breast disease marker in said sample comprising the step of:
providing or obtaining said biological sample of mammary fluid or component thereof in a fluid-retaining reservoir having a top end defining a primary opening for access to the sample and an outer reservoir wall defining one or more air ports that communicate between the outer wall and an inner lumen of the reservoir, said reservoir comprising a rigid tube or vial adapted for removable, sealable engagement in a mammary fluid collection device to establish a gaseous and fluid connection between a breast engaging member of the collection device and an inner lumen of the rigid tube or vial, said reservoir further comprising closure means for sealably closing the tube or vial after the mammary fluid is introduced therein and the tube or vial is disengaged from the mammary fluid collection device, to seal the tube or vial and prevent sample contamination and spillage during handling and processing of the biological sample. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
Specification