Patent US3608540A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3608540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for aiding in the detection of breast cancer
Assignee: St Croix Research Co
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Filing: 1969-02-24
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-02-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is provided for infusing saline solution through the ductal system of the human breast, the apparatus comprising a cup having outer and inner sidewalls defining a peripheral and a central recess opening into the mouth of the cup with openings in the cup for drawing a vacuum in each of the recesses to sealingly attach the apparatus to the breast over the nipple and and enable infusion of solution into the breast ductal system. A method for detection of cancer of the breast is provided by drawing a vacuum around the breast nipple, then irrigating the breast ducts with saline solution infused through the nipple and thereafter examining epithelial cells in the saline solution following irrigation for abnormalities.
Inventors
- 👤 Otto W Sartorius
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/0041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for the detection of breast cancer in the human female comprising ( 1) forming a seal around the nipple of the breast, ( 2) drawing a vacuum around said nipple within the sealed area to dilate said nipple and distend the breast duct openings therein, ( 3) infusing an aseptic physiologically inert free flowing liquid into said breast ducts through said distended nipple openings to irrigate said ducts and cause epitHelial cells lining said ducts to slough off and become dispersed in said liquid, and (4) withdrawing said liquid from said nipple openings for examination of the epithelial cells dispersed therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said nipple dilating vacuum is drawn around the circumferential periphery of said nipple.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said liquid is an aqueous saline solution.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for use in an apparatus for infusing the breast ducts of a mammalian female with an irrigating liquid and then withdrawing the irrigating liquid therefrom, said device comprising a cup having a continuous outer sidewall and a continuous inner sidewall defining a peripheral recess and a central recess opening into the top of said cup, said central recess being deeper than said peripheral recess, said cup having a bottom forming a hollow chamber surrounding the portion of said inner wall extending below said peripheral recess, said continuous inner sidewall having openings at spaced intervals therearound communicating said central recess and said chamber, said cup having liquid infusion and liquid withdrawal passages opening into said central recess, and having vacuum passages opening into said chamber and said peripheral recess.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
120 words
A device suitable for use in an apparatus for irrigating the breast ducts of the human female comprising a cup having outer and inner concentric continuous sidewalls forming an outer annular recess and a central recess, the floor of said central recess being below the floor of said peripheral recess, said cup having a bottom below the floors of said recesses and having a hollow chamber formed therein, said inner sidewall having a plurality of openings spaced circumferentially therearound communicating said central recess and said hollow chamber with one another, said cup having liquid infusion and liquid withdrawal passages opening into the floor of said central recess, and having vacuum drawing passages opening into said chamber and said annular recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said cup has means thereon for facilitating the connection of tubing to said passages.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said means are provided on the bottom of said cup.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
141 words
A device for use in an apparatus for the infusion of a liquid into the breast ducts of a human female and for withdrawing the liquid so infused, said device comprising a cup having a continuous outer sidewall and a continuous inner sidewall defining a peripheral recess and a central recess opening into the mouth thereof, said cup having openings therein for drawing a vacuum in each of said recesses when the mouth of said cup is pressed against the breast, said central recess being adapted to receive the nipple of the breast and to enable the same to dilate as a vacuum is drawn therewithin, said cup having a further opening therein into said central recess for infusing liquid thereinto, said cup having a further opening therein into said central recess to vent air therefrom as liquid is infused thereinto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the openings for drawing a vacuum in said central recess are circumferentially spaced around the wall defining the recess and above the floor of the recess so as to draw the nipple into peripheral contact with such wall as suction is applied through said openings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2771072A
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US3096764A
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US3207150A
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US3527203A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |