Importance

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Abstract

A medical device 10 for collecting both endocervical cells and exocervical cells from a human or veterinary patient includes an elongate handle 12 having first and second handle ends 14 and 16, an elongate foam portion 18 carried by one of the handle ends 14 or 16, and a disk-like foam portion 19 carried by either the same or the opposite handle end 14 or 16. The device 10 includes at least one base plate 30 or 32 connected to the handle 12, to which the elongate and disk-like foam portions 18 and 19 are affixed. The elongate foam portion 18 can be cylindrical in shape, while the disk-like portion 19 can be a convex disk 20 or a generally flat disk 60 or 80. The first foam portion 18 is positioned about a tip 40 or 48 carried by the first handle end 14, for example, connected to the first base plate 30. The first and second foam portions 18 and 19 can be carried on opposite ends 14 and 16 of the handle 12, or can be unitarily formed as a single foam portion 22 carried by the first handle end 14. The foam portions 18, 19, 20, 22, 60 and/or 80 comprise an open cell, reticulated foam (such as a polyester polyurethane foam of relatively large mean pore diameter, for example, 1 mm or larger) which is sufficiently pliant to take the shape of the internal and external surfaces of the cervix and is sufficiently abrasive to scrape an acceptably large number of cells from the internal and external surfaces of the cervix during use. In an alternative embodiment, the handle 12 includes a lumen 65 defined therein which is dimensioned to receive an endocervical brush 84 or other structure or object 82 therein, such as a guide wire, an endoscope, an optical fiber or a sensor. The device 10 can include the brush 84 or other object 82. The foam portion in that embodiment is preferably a perforate disk 80. The device 10 enjoys a superior combination of cell capture and relative patient comfort.

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First Claim