Apparatus for obtaining oytological specimens

Claim 1

The claims defining the invention are as follows: i. An apparatus for obtaining cytological specimens from an internal tract having an epithelium, which includes a tubular member having an expandible portion towards its distal end; and a plurality of specimen collecting elements secured around the expandible portion and being circumferentially separated the one from the other, the elements being of an abrasive and absorbent material to remove and hold a super- ficial layer of the epithelium. 2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim i, in which the expandi±le portion is formed by a balloon of an elastomeric material. 3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which the specimen collecting elements are elongate and are substantially longitudinally disposed. 4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which the specimen collecting elements are elongate and are helically disposed. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which the specimen collectiiig elements are arranged in groups that each extend longitudinally. G. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which the specimen collecting elements are arranged in groups that each extend helically. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the distal end region of the tubular member, including the expandible portion, is removable. 8) An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the distal tip of the tubular member is rounded. 9) An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the tubular member is resiliently fl.exible. An apparatus as claimed in Claii. 2, including fluid pumping means for pumping a fluid into the balloon -to expand it. 11) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, including- valve means for controlling the flow of fluid into and out of the balloon, 12) An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the specimen collecting elements are of a compressible material. 13) An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the expandible portion is such that it firs-, expands at its distal end and then progressively expands towards its proximal end. 14) An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a hollow introducing member through which 11 I -g the tubular member may be introduced into the person or animal. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, in which the introducing member and the tubular member have interengaging formations for causing the tubular member to rotate as it is displaced longitudinally through the introducing member. 16. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, which includes a closure member for closing the distal end of t.ae introducing member whilst it is being introduced into the person or animal. 17. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the specimen collecting elements are brush-like, 18. An apparatus for obtaining cytological specimens from 'r within a person or animal, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this tv-antyninth day of March, 1977 ALLEN FRAN BASKIND 12 tr 23733m 0 0 F(C.I 0 00 0 0 0 000 *0 00 0 0 ~0 0 0 0 00 a 000 0 000 42 00 0 0 0000 00 0 0 0 Kic. 0 0 FIC.2 12.1 99 99 I 9 9 U 9 i.a 99 9 20-1 4 9 9 9 a a 9 9 a .g9 9 9~ *9 a C 9 C a 4 a. 9 4 9, 99 9 99 9 9 4 *99 .24. FIC.3 99 49 999 99 4~9 9 2c 99* I 99 94 9 99 9 9 9 9 99 no-4