Abstract: Cervical cells can be sampled in such a way as to retain the spatial relationships that existed between the cells prior to sampling. The cells can be collected by using a cervical cell collector that samples a cervix in a spatially resolved manner. The cervix is sampled by placing a sampling balloon in position adjacent to a cervix and inflating the sampling balloon to force a sampling surface of the sampling balloon into contact with the cervix, thereby transferring cervical cells from the cervix to the sampling surface of the sampling balloon. The sampling balloon is then deflated and withdrawn. Then, the adhered cervical cells are treated with a marker and are optically analyzed.

Abstract: A cervical cell collection device can easily and comfortably be used by a woman in the privacy and comfort of her own home. Once the woman obtains the cervical cell sample, she can be forward it to a physician's office or other lab location for analysis. The collection device includes an outer guide assembly and an inner sampling assembly bearing a collector.