US3626470A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diagnostic device for obtaining cytologic samples
Assignee: Armour Pharmaceutical Co
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Filing: 1969-08-28
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Granted: 1971-12-07
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Expires: 1989-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A diagnostic device for obtaining cytologic samples such as in collecting cervical and endocervical cell specimens for Papanicolaou smear testing and the like, is described. The device comprises an elongated handle carrying a flexibly coupled platform member upon which a spongelike pledget is uniquely formed, the latter being impregnated with a critical amount of a proteolytic enzyme. The characteristic properties of the proteolytic enzyme facilitate cellular defoliation and sampling, and improved diagnostic examination of the cells so collected by inducing lysis of the obscuring mucus which occurs at or near the cervical site.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold J Antonides
- 👤 M Budd Mittleman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0291; A61B10/0045; A61B2010/0074
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A diagnostic device for obtaining cytologic specimens from a body orifice of a patient comprising: an elongated handle member; a support member disposed at one end of said handle member; and a pledget disposed upon said support member and carried thereby, said pledget having a body portion and an outwardly extending nose portion, each of said portions presenting a separate bodyengaging surface, said pledget being impregnated with an amount of proteolytic enzyme which, by fibrin plate assay, produces a zone of lysis of not less than 1.0 mm. in not more than 20 minutes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A diagnostic device for obtaining cytologic specimens from a body orifice of a patient comprising: an elongated handle member; a support member disposed at one end of said handle member; and a pledget disposed upon said support member and carried thereby, said pledget having a body portion and an outwardly extending nose portion, each of said portions presenting a separate bodyengaging surface, said pledget being impregnated with an amount of proteolytic enzyme which, by fibrin plate assay, produces a zone of lysis of not less than 1.0 mm. in not more than 20 minutes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 11 in which said proteolytic enzyme is selected from the group consisting of trypsin, chymotrypsin and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 2 in which said enzyme is lyophilized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said handle member and said support member are joined by coupling means operatively interposed therebetween said means providing lateral movement of said support member thereabout while restricting longitudinal and helical movement thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 4 in which said support member comprises a foraminous plate having a first stem extending upwardly therefrom and a second stem extending downwardly therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 5 in which an elastic foam pledget is formed around said first stem and upon said foraminous plate and extends through said plate to retain said pledget stationary relative thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 6 in which said foam envelops said first stem to define an endocervical entering tip therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 4 in which said handle member comprises an elongated body portion and an extending stem portion, said stem portion and said coupling member being telescopically insertable relative to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said amount of proteolytic enzyme produces, by fibrin plate assay, a zone of lysis of not less than 5.0 mm. in not more than 60 minutes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said enzyme comprises a mixture of trypsin and chymotrypsin, the ratio of chymotrypsin to trypsin in said mixture being about 1:5.
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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) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |