Cell collection devices

Inventors

Ferris, Daron G.

Assignees

Augusta University • Augusta University Research Institute Inc

Abstract

In some embodiments, a cell collection device includes a sample brush including a proximal end, a distal end, and outwardly extending bristles provided at the distal end, and an outer sleeve adapted to receive the sample brush, the sleeve including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the sleeve can be linearly slid along the length of the brush to encapsulate the bristles after they have been used to collect cells from a patient.

Core Innovation

The disclosure provides a cell collection device for collecting cells from an anus of a patient for anal cancer screening. The device includes a sample brush having an elongated shaft with a distal end and radially extending bristles at the distal end, and a tubular outer sleeve through which the elongated shaft extends. The outer sleeve includes a distal end including a distal tip having a distal opening from which the distal end of the elongated shaft and its bristles extend.

In use, the distal end of the sample brush extending from the distal tip of the outer sheath is inserted into the anus and the sample brush is rotated while the distal end of the brush is within the anus to collect cells with bristles provided at the distal end. After collecting cells, the sample brush is withdrawn from the anus and an outer sleeve is linearly moved relative to the sample brush or vice versa to retract the bristles into the outer sleeve. The sheathed brush and sleeve can then be inserted into a cell collection liquid.

The device enables transferring collected cells to the cell collection liquid by rotating the sample brush relative to the outer sleeve or vice versa so that the bristles alternately extend from bristle windows positioned at the distal end of the outer sleeve and retract into the outer sleeve. The alternating extension and retraction of the bristles causes cells collected by the bristles to transfer to the cell collection liquid, with beveled edges for cell removal described in connection with a beveled distal sleeve tip and/or beveled edges at the bristle windows.

Claims Coverage

The partial content includes one independent claim and dependent refinements. The independent claim centers on inserting a rotating bristle brush into an anus, linearly retracting the bristles into an outer sleeve, and transferring collected cells to a cell collection liquid via alternating bristle extension and retraction at bristle windows during relative rotation.

Overall, the claim coverage is centered on a rotating sample brush within the anus followed by linear sleeve retraction of bristles and subsequent cell transfer to a cell collection liquid via alternating bristle extension and retraction at distal bristle windows. Dependent refinements specify beveled edges at either the distal tip of the outer sleeve or at the bristle windows to facilitate removal of cells.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications