Abstract: A spatula for taking cell samples for histological examination formed with a body portion and a head portion, in which the spatula is formed from a non-absorbent plastics material and includes a frangible zone between the body and the neck portions whereby the head portion can be broken away from the body portion by relative bending about a lateral axis in the frangible zone. The frangible zone preferably has sufficient strength to resist fracture under rotational forces about the longitudinal axis of the spatula during use.

Abstract: A dual action biopsy needle scrapes tissue of cellular thickness from a lesion during forward and rearward reciprocations of the needle along its longitudinal axis of symmetry. A first sharp edge, formed by a beveled distal end of the needle, scrapes tissue during proximal-to-distal travel of the needle. A second sharp edge is provided by a transversely disposed slot formed in the needle near the first sharp edge. The second sharp edge scrapes tissue during distal-to-proximal travel of the needle. In a first embodiment, the second sharp edge is coincident with an exterior surface of the needle. In a second embodiment, the second sharp edge is elevated with respect to the exterior surface and in a third embodiment the second sharp edge is recessed. Additional embodiments include a second slot, a channel, and a hinge for enabling pivotal movement of the second and third sharp edges.

Abstract: An intra-vaginal self-administered cell collecting device and method includes inserting a tampon-like telescoping tube intra-vaginally. The tube includes an expandable preformed absorbent member having a textured cover. The absorbent member also includes a retrieval member extending therefrom. The tube is manipulated to expel the absorbent member intra-vaginally. The tube is removed and the absorbent member is retained intra-vaginally for a period of time. The absorbent member is retained from expanding from its preform when exposed to vaginal fluids by means of a cover on the absorbent material. The cover also captures soughed-off cells in the vaginal fluids. The absorbent material is retrieved manually by the retrieval member.

Abstract: An adenoid curette that includes a shank, a handle, and a cutting head. The shank has a pin, male threads, and a collar. The cutting head is a loop that is continuous and has a groove, a slot, and a neck. The shank is placed in the groove and in the neck, and the pin is positioned in the slot. The collar is threaded onto the male threads, captures the neck during threading, and abuts against the cutting head during threading so as to force the pin further into the slot until the collar can no longer rotate indicating that the pin is fully seated in the slot and thereby causing the cutting head to be captured between the pin and the collar and thereby interchangeably retaining the cutting head on the shank.

Abstract: A cytology cell sampler for use in collecting mucosal cell samples from a human comprising a handle and a head portion. The handle is grasped by the operator and the head portion is then abutted a patient's mucosal surface for sample collection. The head portion has a first plate and a plurality of secondary plates with the first plate attached to the handle opposite the end grasped by the operator. The first plate has a longitudinal axis generally along a longitudinal axis of the handle, and the plurality of secondary plates project from the first plate generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first plate. There is at least one collection space between the plurality of secondary plates. Each secondary plate has a shaped free edge for contacting the mucosal surface of the human, collecting a sample between the plurality of secondary plates by scraping the mucosal surface with the shaped free edges.

Abstract: A biopsy needle that is based upon an opening at the tip of the needle, not the side, that permits the entire sample to be cut from the patient yet has smooth sides to reduce injury to the patient when the needle is inserted. The needle of the invention has a coaxial inner needle or tube that allows the opening at the tip to be completely closed and the sample or specimen to be cut off at its point of attachment after insertion of the needle. The needle of the invention samples tissue in front of the needle as it is pushed forward, rather than scraping tissue from the edges of the needle track. In accordance with the invention, the coaxial inner needle can be withdrawn and the sample obtained without moving the outer needle or tube. Several samples can thus be obtained with minimal need for repositioning the needle avoiding pain, tissue damage and risks associated with such repositioning.

Abstract: Spatulas for biological sampling. The spatulas of the present invention include an elongated stem formed as a flat strip of uniform width, which has at one end thereof a flat scraper having a slit or an opening at about the center of the flat scrapper. At the other end, the elongated stem has either a second flat scraper or, alternatively, forms a rod-like handle.

Abstract: A device for collecting cervicovaginal cells, including a first end portion for contacting an ectocervical region and obtaining a sampling of cells therefrom, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and an elongated middle portion connecting the first and second end portions. A region is formed on the device that provides a designated edge against which an endocervical brush is able to be rubbed for harvesting of cells from the endocervical brush in a vial of preservative.

Abstract: A spatula for sampling comprises an elongated stem (10) having a flat scraper at least at one end of the stem. According to the invention said scraper is perforated.

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: An apparatus having at least one template opening for causing a substantially reproducible injury to a cell, organ or tissue layer. The apparatus is useful in determining the effects of cell growth and migration agents in model wounds produced in the cell, organ or tissue layer. Also provided are methods of using the apparatus including juxtapositioning the apparatus to cells on a cell growth substrate and disrupting cells thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring exfoliated cells from a variety of specimen collection devices to a preservation fluid contained in a specimen vial. The apparatus comprises an interior frame member which is inserted into the specimen vial. The interior frame member includes a cross-bar member and an open-ended well. The cross-bar member includes a blade which provides an edge for scraping exfoliated cells from a spatula type specimen collection device. The cross-bar member also provides a lower edge for disconnecting a broom sampling head from a broom type collection device of disconnecting a combination type sampling head from a Combi™ type specimen collection device. The open-ended well comprises a sloped interior wall and a lower edge for removing exfoliated cells from a brush sampling head on a brush type collection device.

Abstract: A tongue cleaner having an elongate shank portion for holding thereof and a portion extending from one end thereof for supporting a tongue scraping edge. The support portion is skewed relative to the shank portion to slope downwardly for effecting engagement of the edge with a posterior part of the upper surface of the tongue so that the posterior part may be comfortably scraped.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions and methods relating to the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease ("IBD"), most notably, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Colitis and Diverticulitis. The invention relates to the discovery of a parasitic microsporidia infecting the epithelium cells lining the gastrointestinal tract of patients suffering from IBD. The discovery of this correlation between the disease and the microsporidia, described herein, led to the development of methods for the accurate diagnosis of patients suffering from IBD, and also of methods for treating such a patient in accordance with the invention. This discovery also provides for the development of animal models to further elucidate the mechanism of the disease and potential additional cures therefor.

Abstract: An instrument for harvesting bone comprises an elongate body having a hollow, and a proximal end and a distal end communicating with one another through the hollow. A blade having a curved cutting edge for cutting or abrading bone is mounted adjacent an aperture in the distal end. The cut or abraded bone moves through the aperture and into the hollow.

Abstract: A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a casing which is pressed against a skin surface to produce a seal therewith. A cocking mechanism is pulled rearwardly to place a lancing device in a cocked state. By releasing a trigger, the lancing device is driven forward to produce an incision in the skin, and then is retracted out of the incision. A plunger mounted on the cocking mechanism is then retracted to generate a negative pressure at the front end of the casing to draw body fluid from the incision.

Abstract: A surgical tool forms a collapsible cage that surrounds a lesion or a tumor in a breast or soft tissue so that removal of all encaged tissue ensures the removal of the tumor or lesion. The collapsibility of the cage enables it to be closed and repositioned if needed. A leading tube and a trailing tube are interconnected by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart members that are jointed at their respective mid-lengths. The respective leading ends of the jointed members are hingedly connected to a trailing end of the leading tube and the respective trailing ends of the jointed members are hingedly connected to the leading end of the trailing tube. The leading and trailing tubes slidingly receive a hollow needle and the leading tube is secured to the hollow needle at its distal end so that the leading tube cannot slide with respect to the hollow needle.

Abstract: An instrument for removing bowel blockage comprising a handle, and a probe element extending from the handle, the probe element being elongate, having a round or oval transverse cross-section, and having a rounded distal end, the handle being substantially imperforate, and the probe element being shaped to avoid injuring a patient, as by cutting. A method of safely removing bowel blockage comprises providing a probe element having a rounded distal end and rounded exterior and a handle at the proximal end of the probe element, inserting the distal end and at least some of the probe element into the rectum of a patient, and removing said probe element from the patient to permit evacuation of fecal matter through the anal canal.

Abstract: A dilator/sampler for sampling materials and fluid from a body cavity, the device comprising: a shaft having a distal end, and a proximal end; a Z-shaped sampler having a first sampling surface and a second sampling surface parallel to each other joined by a diagonal connector, the first sampling surface and the second sampling surface corresponding to the parallel bars of the Z shaped sampler where the first sampling surface is attached to the distal end of the shaft; and a conical dilator having a tip and a base attached at the base to the second sampling surface. The invention also comprises a sheath having a distal edge and a proximal end surrounding the dilator/sampler. In another embodiment of the invention, the base of the conical dilator is shaped to function as a sampler.

Abstract: An integrated optical biopsy forceps device and a method for tissue identification by optical analysis and biopsy sampling at a site within the body. The device includes an elongated catheter body for introduction into the body and navigation to an area of interest. An optical fiber extends through the device, from the proximal end, where it may be connected to electro-optical spectral analysis equipment, to a distal tip for illuminating and receiving light energy from tissue at the location of the tip. The distal end of the device has a pair of cutting jaws pivotally mounted at the distal end of the catheter body and controlled by control wires extending through the catheter body to a control handle at the proximal end, or by the optical fiber. The device may be spectroscopically guided to a site of interest within the body.