Intra-vaginal self-administered cell collecting device and method

• US 6,936,013 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2004
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew Pevoto, Joyce Loving
• Original Assignee: Private Concepts, Inc.
• Inventors: Pevoto, Patrick S.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARMOR II, CHARLES ALAN
• Application Number:
  US10/762,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20040153000A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 600569-573, 604/1, 604/2, 604/11, 604/15, 604/18, 604/317, 604/328, 604/330, 604/358, 604/904, 604/385.17, 604/385.18
• US Class Current: 600/562
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0074 Vaginal or cervical secretions

Abstract

An intra-vaginal self-administered cell collecting device and method includes inserting a tampon-like telescoping tube intra-vaginally. The tube includes an expandable preformed absorbent member having a textured cover. The absorbent member also includes a retrieval member extending therefrom. The tube is manipulated to expel the absorbent member intra-vaginally. The tube is removed and the absorbent member is retained intra-vaginally for a period of time. The absorbent member is retained from expanding from its preform when exposed to vaginal fluids by means of a cover on the absorbent material. The cover also captures soughed-off cells in the vaginal fluids. The absorbent material is retrieved manually by the retrieval member.

Claims

1. An intra-vaginal self-administered cell collecting device comprising:

an intra-vaginal insertion member;

a shaped absorbent member removably mounted in the insertion member;

means for expelling the absorbent member from the insertion member;

a textured flexible mesh covering the absorbent member for;

retaining the shape and limiting swelling of the absorbent member in response to the absorbent member becoming wetted by vaginal fluids;

capturing cells residing in the vaginal fluids; and

passing the cells to the absorbent member; and

means for retrieving the absorbent member.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the mesh is molded onto the absorbent member.

3. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the mesh is a molded portion of the absorbent member.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the mesh is a sleeve applied to the absorbent member.

5. A kit for self-administered intra-vaginal cell collection comprising:

a container including;

an intra-vaginal insertion member;

a shaped absorbent member removably mounted in the insertion member;

means for expelling the absorbent member from the insertion member;

a textured flexible mesh covering the absorbent member for;

retaining the shape and limiting swelling of the absorbent member in response to the absorbent member becoming wetted by vaginal fluids;

capturing cells residing in the vaginal fluid; and

passing the cells to the absorbent member; and

means for retrieving the absorbent member.

6. The kit as defined in claim 5 further comprising:

a shipping package for shipping the container and an enclosed form to a test facility.

7. An intra-vaginal self-administered cell collecting device comprising:

an intra-vaginal insertion member;

a shaped absorbent member removably mounted in the insertion member;

means for expelling the absorbent member from the insertion member;

a mesh of open texture covering the absorbent member for;

retaining the shape and limiting swelling of the absorbent member in response to the absorbent member becoming wetted by vaginal fluids;

capturing cells residing in the vaginal fluids; and

passing the cells to the absorbent member; and

means for retrieving the absorbent member.