Sampling device for collecting microbiological biopsy specimen

Abstract

A specimen sampling device for the collection of microbiological biopsy specimen from a body cavity and, more particularly, a device which incorporates a cytology brush which is readily introducible into the biopsy channel of an endoscope. In particular, the cytology brush is especially adapted for brushing and thereby obtaining microbiological biopsy specimen from areas of the gastrointestinal tract which are difficult to reach. A flexible stainless steel sheath constituted from helical coils is encompassed by a plastic sleeve which is adhered thereto, such plastic sleeve preferably being constituted from teflon or the like, and in which a proximal end of the tubing includes structure cooperative with a manipulating component attached to a composite operating wire structure for a cytology brush located at a distal end thereof and extending through the sheath so as to be able to longitudinally displace and rotate the wire and resultingly the cytology brush in a controlled mode. For this purpose, the outer sleeve consisting of the plastic or teflon tubing extends a predetermined axial length beyond the distal end of the inner sheath constituted from the stainless steel helical coils, so as to form a cylindrical section of larger diameter than the internal diameter of the helical coil flexible member, and with the cytology brush, in the retracted position thereof entirely located within the confines of this cylindrical section.