Abstract: A medical device 10 for collecting both endocervical cells and exocervical cells from a human or veterinary patient includes an elongate handle 12 having first and second handle ends 14 and 16, an elongate foam portion 18 carried by one of the handle ends 14 or 16, and a disk-like foam portion 19 carried by either the same or the opposite handle end 14 or 16. The device 10 includes at least one base plate 30 or 32 connected to the handle 12, to which the elongate and disk-like foam portions 18 and 19 are affixed. The elongate foam portion 18 can be cylindrical in shape, while the disk-like portion 19 can be a convex disk 20 or a generally flat disk 60 or 80. The first foam portion 18 is positioned about a tip 40 or 48 carried by the first handle end 14, for example, connected to the first base plate 30. The first and second foam portions 18 and 19 can be carried on opposite ends 14 and 16 of the handle 12, or can be unitarily formed as a single foam portion 22 carried by the first handle end 14.

Abstract: A uterine endometrial tissue sample brush 10 includes a flexible core 12 having a distal core end 16 and a cylindrical brush member 18 carried adjacent the distal core end 16. The core 12 is formed from a spirally wrapped pair of wires 22 and includes an atraumatic tip 26. The brush member 18 is about 3 to 5 cm long and has a free outside diameter, preferably about 5.08 to 7.62 mm (0.2 to 0.3 in.), suited to maintain patient comfort yet comprehensively contact the undilated uterine canal 38. The brush member 18 includes a plurality of resilient bristles 20 axially spaced about 0.5 to 1.5 mm apart. The bristles 20 have a stiffness equivalent to that possessed by nylon-6,12 at a diameter of about 0.076 to 0.152 mm (0.003 to 0.006 in.). This stiffness is critical and unexpectedly gives the brush 10 good exfoliating and collecting abilities simultaneously, in contrast to prior devices which may possess either good exfoliating or good collecting abilities, but not both abilities at the same time.

Abstract: A unique cytologic and histologic fixative formulation and methods for using that formulation are disclosed.