Method and apparatus for aiding in the detection of breast cancer

Claim 1

A method for withdrawing breast secretion for the detection of cellular abnormality within the breast of a mammalian female comprising (1) contacting the breast with a cup having a bottom and outer and inner continuous sidewalls spaced from one another dividing the cup into peripheral and central recesses opening into the mouth of the cup, the mouth of the cup being pressed against the breast with the nipple of the breast being received in the central recess and the portion of the breast immediately surrounding the nipple being contacted by the edges of said sidewalls and closing the mouth of the cup, (2) reducing the pressure in the peripheral recess of the cup to thereby firmly seat and hold the cup against the breast and, (3) while maintaining the reduced pressure in said peripheral recess intermittently reducing the pressure in the central recess to cause natural secretion from the breast to bead on said nipple, then (4) releasing the cup from the breast and removing said beads of natural secretion to enable examination of cells contained therewithin for detection of breast abnormalities.

Claim 2

A method for withdrawing breast secretion for the detection of cellular abnormality within the breast of a mammalian female comprising (1) contacting the breast with a cup having a bottom and outer and inner continuous sidewalls spaced from one another dividing the cup into peripheral and central recesses opening into the mouth of the cup, the mouth of the cup being pressed against the breast with the nipple of the breast being received in the central recess and the portion of the breast immediately surrounding the nipple being contacted by the edges of said sidewalls and closing the mouth of the cup, (2) reducing the pressure in the peripheral recess of the cup to thereby firmly seat and hold the cup against the breast and, (3) while maintaining the reduced pressure in said peripheral recess intermittently reducing the pressure in the central recess to cause natural secretion from the breast to bead on said nipple, then (4) releasing the cup from the breast and removing said beads of natural secretion to enable examination of cells contained therewithin for detection of breast abnormalities.

Claim 3

A device adapted for self-retention on the breast of a mammalian female to facilitate the withdrawal of natural secretions therefrom, said device comprising a cup being generally circular in cross section and having a closed bottom with continuous concentrically spaced outer and inner sidewalls rising therefrom with the upper edges thereof terminated at and forming the mouth of the cup, said concentrically spaced sidewalls dividing said cup into a peripheral recess and a central recess opening into the mouth of the cup, said inner sidewall sealingly separating said central recess and said peripheral recess from one another, said central recess being of a size to snugly receive the nipple of a breast therewithin and said peripheral recess presenting a ring-shaped opening of a size to closely surround the portion of the breast immediately surrounding the nipple area, said cup having a pair of port means therein opening independently into each of said recesses, each of said port means including means for the attachment of suction means thereto so that when the device is placed in position against the breast with the nipple of the breast seated in said central recess the recesses of the cup may be individually depressurized.

Claim 4

A device adapted for self-retention on the breast of a mammalian female to facilitate the withdrawal of natural secretions therefrom, said device comprising a cup being generally circular in cross section and having a closed bottom with continuous concentrically spaced outer and inner sidewalls rising therefrom with the upper edges thereof terminated at and forming the mouth of the cup, said concentrically spaced sidewalls dividing said cup into a peripheral recess and a central recess opening into the mouth of the cup, said inner sidewall sealingly separating said central recess and said peripheral recess from one another, said central recess being of a size to snugly receive the nipple of a breast therewithin and said peripheral recess presenting a ring-shaped opening of a size to closely surround the portion of the breast immediately surrounding the nipple area, said cup having a pair of port means therein opening independently into each of said recesses, each of said port means including means for the attachment of suction means thereto so that when the device is placed in position against the breast with the nipple of the breast seated in said central recess the recesses of the cup may be individually depressurized.