Abstract: Information on cytokines and cytology obtained from a biological specimen are combined as a method of predicting the risk that dysplasia will progress to cancer.

Abstract: Information on cytokines and cytology obtained from a biological specimen are combined as a method of predicting the risk that dysplasia will progress to cancer. Methods are disclosed herein to augment the evaluation of biological samples from subjects being tested for cancer. In addition to the cell types that are traditionally considered in the morphology-based cytological screening of specimens, methods disclosed herein add evaluations of certain cell types and cytokines that are traditionally discounted or ignored during screening.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and compositions are disclosed for collection and transport of biological samples for testing and/or evaluation by a clinical laboratory. In particular, the disclosure relates to the self-collection of such samples by subjects providing the samples. Self-collection is necessary in some situations e.g. where a subject's religion prohibits being touched by a non-family member and subjects at great distance from medical facilities.

Abstract: Information on cytokines and cytology obtained from a biological specimen are combined as a method of predicting the risk that dysplasia will progress to cancer. Methods are disclosed herein to augment the evaluation of biological samples from subjects being tested for cancer. In addition to the cell types that are traditionally considered in the morphology-based cytological screening of specimens, methods disclosed herein add evaluations of certain cell types and cytokines that are traditionally discounted or ignored during screening.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and compositions are disclosed for collection and transport of biological samples for testing and/or evaluation by a clinical laboratory. In particular, the disclosure relates to the self-collection of such samples by subjects providing the samples. Self-collection is necessary in some situations e.g.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods and tools for collecting cells to screen for disease, such as cancer. In one method of screening for a disease a flush fluid is injected into a human cavity, such as a uterus. The flush fluid and entrained cells from the cavity are withdrawn from the cavity and collected. The intermixed cells may be separated from the fluid and analyzed to determine whether the cells have a characteristic that is indicative of the presence of a disease. One tool for applying and withdrawing a fluid includes a nozzle, a screening fluid supply and fluid withdrawal mechanism. The nozzle includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The screening fluid supply supplies a screening fluid through the outlet port. The withdrawal mechanism withdraws fluid through the outlet port.

Abstract: Cellular samples such as cervical cells can be analyzed using a unique combination of markers that identify abnormal cells while subtracting out false positives that would otherwise be generated by, for example, normally proliferating cells and non-cellular debris. Dysplastic cervical cells can thus be identified quickly and accurately. An assay including analytical reagents and methods of their use can be employed in classifying cervical cytology specimens as being normal or abnormal. This assay is configured to be performed using any of several commonly available classes of laboratory instrumentation and upon the entire range of cervical cytology specimen preparations encountered in clinical practice. This assay is particularly intended for use in high volume screening environments, but also has both diagnostic and research applications.

Abstract: A system for accurately obtaining cervical cells from a patient and quickly screening the sample includes a collector for collecting a spatially arranged cell sample from a target tissue, and an analyzer that examines the cell sample for abnormal cells while the cell sample remains on a surface of the collector.

Abstract: A specimen preview and inspection system is disclosed. The system beneficially includes a preview stage, which provides a set of biasing-information for preview by a technician before the technician formally screens the specimen. The preview stage enables the technician to conveniently review information pertinent to the specimen at issue. The preview stage may thereby bias, or channel, the technician's attention during screening toward diagnostically significant aspects of the specimen. The invention is particularly useful in the context of Pap smear screening, although the invention may extend to inspection of other types of specimens or samples as well.

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 cellular sample can be optically analyzed while present on a membrane filter. A membrane filter is designed to collect and adhere cells and other cellular material while permitting fluids to pass. The cellular sample can be processed mechanically or manually in order to provide cells adhered to the membrane filter. The cellular sample can be obtained through lavage, by using a personal or physician's collector, or through traditional PAP test techniques. The cellular sample can include vaginal, cervical, or ovarian tissue cells.

Abstract: Cellular samples such as cervical cells can be obtained from a cell suspension and then transferred to a microscope slide for analysis. The cells can be retrieved from the cell suspension using an inexpensive, easy to use device that requires no instruments or ancillary devices, minimal operator skill and training, and is potentially sufficiently low cost that it is suitable for use in mass screening programs.

Abstract: A specimen preview and inspection system is disclosed. The system beneficially includes a preview stage, which provides a set of biasing-information for preview by a technician before the technician formally screens the specimen. The preview stage enables the technician to conveniently review information pertinent to the specimen at issue. The preview stage may thereby bias, or channel, the technician's attention during screening toward diagnostically significant aspects of the specimen. The invention is particularly useful in the context of Pap smear screening, although the invention may extend to inspection of other types of specimens or samples as well.

Abstract: An effective and convenient means exists for registering and correlating two or more microscopic images without imposing unusually stringent requirements of accuracy, precision and resolution on the microscope system. Particular utility is found in examining cervical cell samples.

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.

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.

Abstract: An in-vivo tissue inspection device provides for increased signal levels and the ability to discriminate between normal and abnormal tissues through the use of an exogenous fluorescent or fluorogenic reagent. The device reduces the costs of in-situ fluorescent measurements for screening and diagnostic purposes by eliminating the need for an imaging endoscope; simplifying the illuminating and detection means used in the device; and reducing the computing power needed for data reduction; reducing the operator skill level required to make quantitative measurements of in-situ fluorescence, and enabling simultaneous sampling of the ectocervix and the endocervical canal.

Abstract: Cellular samples can be evaluated in a manner in which the spatial relationships existing between said cells in-vivo are preserved and can be used to guide subsequent follow-up and treatment where abnormalities are detected. An instrument for analyzing cervical cells includes receiving means for receiving a topological array of cervical cells, reagent application means for applying one or more reagents to the topological array of cervical cells, analysis means for optically analyzing the topological array of cervical cells, and reporting means for reporting results of the analysis means.

Abstract: A system for accurately obtaining cervical cells from a patient and quickly screening the sample includes a collector for collecting a spatially arranged cell sample from a target tissue, and an analyzer that examines the cell sample for abnormal cells while the cell sample remains on a surface of the collector.

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 includes sampling means for sampling a cervix in a spatially resolved manner, supporting means for supporting the sampling means, and inflation means for reversibly inflating and deflating the sampling means. 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.