Endocervical and exocervical cell collection device

Abstract

A medical device for collecting both endocervical cells and exocervical cells from a human or veterinary patient includes an elongate handle having first and second handle ends and an elongate foam portion carried by one of the handle ends or and a disk-like foam portion carried by either the same or the opposite handle end or The device includes at least one base plate or connected to the handle to which the elongate and disk-like foam portions and are affixed. The elongate foam portion can be cylindrical in shape, while the disk-like portion can be a convex disk or a generally flat disk or . The first foam portion is positioned about a tip or carried by the first handle end , for example, connected to the first base plate The first and second foam portions and can be carried on opposite ends and of the handle or can be unitarily formed as a single foam portion carried by the first handle end . The foam portions and/or 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 includes a lumen defined therein which is dimensioned to receive an endocervical brush or other structure or object therein, such as a guide wire, an endoscope, an optical fiber or a sensor. The device can include the brush or other object . The foam portion in that embodiment is preferably a perforate disk . The device enjoys a superior combination of cell capture and relative patient comfort.