Endometrial sampling instrument

Claim 1

A medical system for obtaining tissue samples for the endometrial cavity, comprising: tissue gathering means including a helically-shaped end section, said end section being formed of a flat elongated and essentially rectangular member twisted about its longitudinal axis such that the edges thereof which extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member are disposed in a helically wound fashion about said longitudinal axis, the surface of the end section being of a matte finish to enhance the adhesion of tissue thereto, the end section being arcuately formed with a memoried curve therein and being formed of a flexible pliant material, the end section being curvilinear along the longitudinal axis of the aforesaid member, portions of the end section being adapted to engage the surfaces of the cavity to gather a cross-section of tissue from essentially all areas thereof; handle means for manipulating said end section and being joined to the inner end portion of said end section, the handle means extending externally of the cavity on insertion of the end section thereinto for controlling the rotational movement of said end section within said cavity, the curvilinear longitudinal axis of the end section being skewed relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle means, the end section deflecting toward the walls of the cavity on insertion of said end section into said cavity whereby surfaces of the end section contact full surfaces of said walls; and a flat paddle-shaped member having a slot-like opening formed therein, at least a portion of the helically shaped end section of the tissue gathering means being disposed within the slot-like opening and being movable relative thereto to transfer tissue adhering to the end section from said end section to a surface of the flat paddle-shaped member.