The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 19, 2006
Filed:
May. 07, 2001
Dean J. Secrest, Concord, OH (US);
Marlin Younker, Waite Hill, OH (US);
Dean J. Secrest, Concord, OH (US);
Marlin Younker, Waite Hill, OH (US);
United States Endoscopy Group, Inc., Mentor, OH (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for obtaining esophageal cells for diagnostic purposes. A distal end of a support body is inserted in a patient's stomach via the esophagus and mouth. A balloon at the distal support body end is inflated. The support body is withdrawn until the balloon engages the sphincter. A support body location is marked that is a predetermined distance from the patient's dental arch. The balloon is deflated and the support body is withdrawn so that the marked location is adjacent the patient's dental arch. The support body is withdrawn a second predetermined distance and a second support body location is marked. A cell collecting element is deployed from within the distal end of the support body. The support body is reciprocated with the cell collecting element deployed so that cells from the esophagus are deposited on the cell collecting element.