Abstract: A hand held device comprising a sample collecting flask having a top mouth closed by a releasable closure cap, and defining a top sample inlet and a bottom air outlet. A first flexible rubber hose is removably plugged on the top inlet and is connected at its other end to a curette. A second flexible rubber hose is removably plugged on the bottom outlet and is serially connected to a vacuum pump assembly via a buffer container. A first rigid tube extends into the sample flask, being connected at one end to the top sample inlet, and opening into the sample flask spacedly proximate the bottom flooring of the sample flask. A second rigid tube also extends into the sample flask, being connected at one end to the bottom air outlet and opening into the sample flask spacedly proximate the closure cap. Therefore, the free extremities of the first and the second interior rigid tubes are vertically spaced apart.

Abstract: A method for accurately and quickly positioning a double lumen gastroduodenal tube into predetermined locations utilizing an endoscopically placed guide wire to retrieve duodenal fluid uncontaminated by gastric fluid, with little or no discomfort to the patient, and minimal radiation exposure. Specifically, an endoscope is passed through a patent's esophagus and stomach into the duodenum such that its distal end is located at a predetermined location, such as the fourth portion of the duodenum. While the endoscope is held in place, a guide-wire is passed through its center instrument channel to position a distal end of the guide-wire adjacent to the distal end of the endoscope. The endoscope is then withdrawn from the patient, leaving the guide-wire.