Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for identifying an abnormal sample of cells by (a) hybridizing a set of chromosomal probes to the sample, wherein the set comprises probes to 3q, 5p, CEP7, and 20; (b) evaluating cells of the sample to detect and quantify the presence of each probe in the set; (c) categorizing the evaluated cells of the sample as normal or abnormal, wherein the normal cells contain exactly two copies of each probe in the set and the abnormal cells do not contain exactly two copies of each probe in the set; (d) calculating the percentage of the abnormal cells in the evaluated cells of the sample; and (e) identifying the sample of cells as abnormal if the percentage of abnormal cells in the evaluated cells is greater than or equal to a predetermined cut-off threshold value.

Abstract: A tissue sampling device is provided. The tissue sampling device includes a single wire spirally wrapped at its half-length creating the backbone of the brush. This wire is partially covered in a hollow flexible tube, which is fixed in place. Located along the distal end portion of the wire is a brush with bristles that are used for collecting a tissue sample. The bristles are tapered from the distal end of the wire. An atraumatic bulb is located on the extreme distal end of the wire to protect the tissue during insertion. A handle is located on the extreme proximal end of the flexible tube. The flexible tube is contained within a sheath, wherein the sheath can be moved along the flexible tube to the distal end, to the atraumatic bulb, to cover the brush during insertion and after tissue collection. The sheath is moved back toward the proximal end of the flexible tube after the device has been inserted to the proper collection depth, exposing the brush and allowing for collection of a tissue sample.