Intra-vaginal self-administered cell collecting device and method
First Claim
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 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. An intra-vaginal self-administered cell collecting device comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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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. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. An intra-vaginal self-administered cell collecting device comprising:
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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.
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Specification