Intra-uterine biopsy apparatus

Claim 1

Biopsy apparatus for collecting cell matter from the endometrium of the uterus, comprising: a tubular, thin-walled, introducer member having an opening at both ends; said member comprising a hollow, lead portion adapted to be comfortably introduced through the cervix into the endocervical passage and to reach the uterine cavity; said member also comprising an integral hollow elongated follower portion of substantially increased cross-section relative the cross-section of said lead portion and coaxially associated with the hollow of said lead portion whereby to provide a roomy chamber adjacently outward of said lead portion; said introducer member having externally between the rear of said lead portion and the front of said follower portion an integral, annular, smoothly-faired shoulder defining means to limit the depth of penetration of the forward end of said lead portion into the uterine cavity; a surface-abrading biopsy sponge of a size to pass through said hollow lead portion; and an elongated flexible shank having its forward end securely embedded in the rear of said sponge, said shank being disposed within said introducer member and being materially smaller in cross-section than the hollow of said lead portion and of a length to extend through said introducer membEr and outward of the chamber of said follower portion when the sponge is inserted into the uterine cavity.