GB2208603A - Cervical sampling device - Google Patents

Abstract

A cervical cytological collection instrument which in one device combines the advantages of a single brush and a traditional smear. It consists of a single handle with a terminal brush 1, the "cervical canal brush" with another brush(es) 3, or a wooden or plastic protrusion proximal and approximately perpendicular to it. This results in a device able to collect cells with better results from "at risk" areas (the squamocolumnar junction) in a single operation. <IMAGE>

Description

A DEVICE FOR OBTAIFIHG CYTOLOGICAL SPECIXEHS FROM THE CERVIX..

This invention relates to a device for obtaining specimens from the cervix for cervical cytology.

Cervical cytology is widely accepted as the best preventive measure for cervical cancer. Experience in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and North America has shown that an effective cervical screening programme, based on cervical cytology, has resulted in a large decrease in cervical cancer mortality.

The area of the cervix most susceptible to dysplastic/neoplastic change is the squamocolumnar junction.

This is originally situated at the external cervical os, but under the influence of oestrogens the squamocolumnar junction "migrates" towards the vaginal part of the cervix.

The columnar cells are not well suited to the vaginal enviroment and undergo changes to form the "transition" zone. This is the area from which cervical cancer cytology smears must be taken.

The "transition" zone is both accessable and of a small area making the sampling of cells from this place feasible.

However since the abnormal cells are in a small area they can be missed by traditional smears.A traditional smear is when the surface of the cervix is scraped using a wooden or a plastic spatula (eg. an Ayres Smear ), the collected cells are transferred to a slide for examination.

By using a brush in combination with a traditional smear, but in two seperate procedures, the results were improved, more cells were obtained from the critical transition zone, more positive cases were detected and endocervical columnar atypia was more easily studied.

According to the present invention a single device is provided with the advantages of using both a single brush and a traditional smear. It contains a brush to sample cells from the cevical canal attached to either another brush or a smoother firmer surface, eg. a shaped wooden projection, to sample cells from the vaginal portion of the cervix.

The specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a two brush device.

Figure 2 shows a single brush device.

Figure 3 shows possible adaptions.

Figure 4 shows a diagramatic cross-section of a cervix with the new cytological collection device.

Referring to the drawings the cytological collection device consists of a single handle 2 with one or more brushes attached at one end. One brush, the "cervical canal brush" 1 , has its axis approximately parallel with the handle 2 and is situated at the end of the handle 2 to sample cells from the cervical canal. Approximately perpendicular to this brush 1 , and also mounted at the end of the handle 2 , is either one or more further brushes 3 and 5 or a wooden or plastic projection 4 to sample cells from the vaginal portion of the cervix.

When used the "cervical canal brush" 1 is inserted into the cervical os 6 and rotated. Cells are thus simultaneously sampled from the necessary areas 7 in one procedure because the brush < es) 3 and 5 or other projections 4 attached perpendicularly pick up cells from the Ectocervix 8 Cells thus obtained can be transferred to a slide for microscopic appraisal in the traditional way or the entire device, minus the handle if necessary, can be sent to the appropiate laboratory.

As illustrated in figure 3 various combinations of the above principal are demonstrated using either more than one brush or more than one projection.

The brushes 1,3 and 5 above mentioned could have their position slightly changed by the operator if he so wished by bending the spindle 9 of the brush. Similarily the size of the brushes 1,3 and 5 and the projections 4 could be varied to suite the size if the cervix.

Claims (3)

CLAIMS.

1)A single device with a single handle with a brush mounted at one end with the novel feature of attaching also at the end of the handle but approximately perpendicular to it either a further brush(es > or a wooden or plastic projection.

2)The device as in claim 1 which combines a traditional wooden smear with a cervical cytology brush to maximise the advantages of both.

3) The angle between the brush(es) and the lateral protrusion can be changed by the operator to permit both easier smear taking and the easier transfer of specimens to slides.