Sampling device and method

Claim 1

A method of obtaining from the uterine cervix a sample that is suitable for both cytological and histological examination, which comprises the steps of obtaining from the uterine cervix a sample which contains both tissue and cellular material by contacting said cervix with a generally conical brush having radially projecting bristles made of soft fibres having the firm sample-retaining texture of cellulose acetate, which bristles are soluble in a solvent that does not cause morphological damage to the sample when said bristles and sample are immersed in said solvent, but are insoluble in conventional fixatives for said cells and tissues, immersing the brush having the sample thereon in a Fixative for said sample, causing relative agitation between said brush and fixative to remove cellular material therefrom for cytological examination, and subsequently dissolving said bristles in said solvent to prepare a sample suitable for histological examination.

Claim 2

A method of obtaining from the uterine cervix a sample that is suitable for both cytological and histological examination, which comprises the steps of obtaining from the uterine cervix a sample which contains both tissue and cellular material by contacting said cervix with a generally conical brush having radially projecting bristles made of soft fibres having the firm sample-retaining texture of cellulose acetate, which bristles are soluble in a solvent that does not cause morphological damage to the sample when said bristles and sample are immersed in said solvent, but are insoluble in conventional fixatives for said cells and tissues, immersing the brush having the sample thereon in a Fixative for said sample, causing relative agitation between said brush and fixative to remove cellular material therefrom for cytological examination, and subsequently dissolving said bristles in said solvent to prepare a sample suitable for histological examination.

Claim 4

A device for obtaining cell and tissue samples which comprises a generally frusto-conical brush having a coaxial handle projecting from its larger end and soft radially projecting bristles of cellulose acetate which are soluble in a liquid that does not cause morphological damage to the sample when said bristles and sample are immersed in said liquid, the narrower end of said brush being surmounted by a portion of substantially constant diameter.

Claim 5

A device for obtaining cell and tissue samples which comprises a generally frusto-conical brush having a coaxial handle projecting from its larger end and soft radially projecting bristles of cellulose acetate which are soluble in a liquid that does not cause morphological damage to the sample when said bristles and sample are immersed in said liquid, the narrower end of said brush being surmounted by a portion of substantially constant diameter.