Removal of secretions from the prepubertal vagina

Claim 1

Apparatus for atraumatic injection, aspiration, and withdrawal of fluids and secretions in a vagina of a prepubertal child comprising, an outer flexible catheter having a proximal end and having a tubular shape, a smooth outer surface and a closed outer end insertable into the vagina and having sampling port means proximate the outer end providing fluid communication between the vagina and the outer flexible cather's interior, and an inner flexible catheter having a proximal end and having an internal passage removably fixed against axial movement in the outer catheter having sampling port means providing fluid communication between the interior of the outer flexible catheter and the internal passage of the inner flexible catheter, the outer flexible catheter being formed of a material which maintains its tubular shape when inserted into the vagina and is effective to prevent the outer flexible catheter to bulge outwardly and be forced or sucked against the vaginal wall by movement of the inner flexible catheter and the fluids and secretions during the injection, aspiration, and removal of fluid and secretions from the vagina through the internal passage in the inner flexible catheter, the inner and outer flexible catheters flexing upon movement of the child when in her vagina.

Claim 10

A method of obtaining secretions from a vagina of a prepubertal child comprising, inserting the apparatus of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 into the vagina, introducing fluid into the vagina through the passage in the inner flexible catheter through its sampling port means into the outer flexible catheter and through its sampling port means, aspirating the fluid in the vagina thereby mixing vaginal secretions in the vagina with the fluid, and withdrawing the fluid and the vaginal secretions from the vagina through the sampling port means in the outer and the inner flexible catheters and then into, through, and out of the passage in the inner flexible catheter.