WO1999021521A1 - Systeme de prelevements dans la cavite vaginale - Google Patents

Systeme de prelevements dans la cavite vaginale Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999021521A1
WO1999021521A1 PCT/AU1998/000894 AU9800894W WO9921521A1 WO 1999021521 A1 WO1999021521 A1 WO 1999021521A1 AU 9800894 W AU9800894 W AU 9800894W WO 9921521 A1 WO9921521 A1 WO 9921521A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
membrane
introitus
vaginal
sample
retention means
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1998/000894
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jagmohanbir Singh Dillon
William Leonard Mobbs
Original Assignee
Noble House Group Pty. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Noble House Group Pty. Ltd. filed Critical Noble House Group Pty. Ltd.
Priority to AU10105/99A priority Critical patent/AU1010599A/en
Publication of WO1999021521A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999021521A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B10/00—Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. instruments for taking a cell sample, for biopsy, for vaccination diagnosis; Sex determination; Ovulation-period determination; Throat striking implements
    • A61B10/02—Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B10/00—Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. instruments for taking a cell sample, for biopsy, for vaccination diagnosis; Sex determination; Ovulation-period determination; Throat striking implements
    • A61B10/0045—Devices for taking samples of body liquids
    • A61B2010/0074—Vaginal or cervical secretions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/84—Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads
    • A61F2013/8473—Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads for diagnostic purposes

Definitions

  • This invention relates to means for collecting and handling biological samples 5 from the vaginal introitus It is particularly, though not exclusively, concerned with devices and methods adapted for self-use, that is, for women themselves to use at home
  • the samples obtained may be used to detect abnormal tissue cells from the cervix, endomet ⁇ um or vagina, to detect and characterise pathogens, to determine uterine pH, to sample post-coital fluids or to determine the time of o ovulation
  • sample collecting means of this invention are also applicable for use with various 5 indicators and/or diagnostic kits that can be employed at home by the user
  • the straight tube may serve as a syringe in which the plunger is withdrawn to suck in vaginal fluid.
  • the latter devices have the added disadvantage that the open end of the tube is immediately blocked by the vaginal wall as soon as the plunger is withdrawn; indeed, considerable discomfort if not injury could result if the plunger is further o withdrawn and then the tube is withdrawn without waiting for pressure equalisation.
  • the present invention is based upon the realisation that the lack of reliability commonly associated with self-sampling can be more than compensated by the use of an indwelling sampling device, since this greatly extends the period of time during which a sample is collected and does not 5 require precise location in relation to the cervix As a result, more sample material is collected and the chance that rare abnormal cells shed from the cervix will be captured is greatly increased It was also appreciated that most women who are reluctant to present to their physicians for vaginal examination are quite at home with the self-insertion and removal of tampons, both with and without the use of 0 simple tubular applicators
  • the sample collection means of the invention comprises (i) a resilient and pliable body having a shape and configuration that adapt it for retention in the vagina with its distal end within the vaginal vault near the cervix,
  • sample retention means on the distal end of the body adapted to retain vaginal mucosa and cellular material and (iii) means for withdrawing the body from the vagina.
  • sample retention means on the distal end of the body adapted to retain vaginal mucosa and cellular material and (iii) means for withdrawing the body from the vagina.
  • the body is preferably such that it can be readily and fully inserted into the o vagina by the user and wholly retained therein so that the user can undertake normal duties while the device is indwelling (as in the case of tampons).
  • the body may be of a generally spherical or oblate shape, or it may be cylindrical in shape, a cylinder of about 45 - 65 mm long and 12 - 15 mm in diameter being known to be resistant to expulsion and to present its distal end at or near the 5 cervix.
  • Such a body could have a figure-of-eight section (rather than a circular section) so that it conforms more naturally and closely to the anatomical cross- section of a relaxed vagina.
  • the body may be solid or hollow. It may be cup- shaped with a proximal open end for attachment to an applicator rod (if used), or cup-shaped with an open distal end adapted to accommodate a swab-like sample o retention means.
  • the body may also be made of materials - such as closed-cell sponges - which are not water adsorbent.
  • materials - such as closed-cell sponges - which are not water adsorbent.
  • Biocompatible open and 5 closed cell synthetic sponges suitable for use as the body are commercially available, for example from Lunde Manufacturing Corp of Minneapolis, USA.
  • Adsorbent biocompatible fibrous materials suitable for use in the body are typically those employed for swabs, wound dressings and tampons; for example, a mix of treated cellulose and polyester fibres. Such materials are well known to 0 those skilled in the art.
  • the sample retention means may be swab-like and adsorbent, it may present a fibrous surface that is adapted to capture vaginal mucous or it may carry a natural charge which assists the capture of cellular material.
  • the sample retention means preferably comprises a semi-permeable membrane that acts as a filter, allowing water to pass into the body but retention cellular and other matter on its external surface. 5 The membrane may also have a fibrous and/or charged surface to assist in the capture of mucosa and cells.
  • the sample retention means may be arranged to be readily separable from the body (after the sampling means has been removed from the vagina) so that it can 0 be further processed without the body.
  • the sample retention means can be rinsed by itself in a fixative solution, avoiding the loss of sample material into the body.
  • sample material from the retention means can be transferred directly to a microscope slide for fixing and examination.
  • the formation of the sample retention means as a detachable layer or membrane on the distal end of the body enables it to invert upon withdrawal and to thereby protect the collected sample material from being rubbed off on the vaginal wall.
  • the membrane is attached to the body (usually that at the centre of the distal portion of the body) so that it is withdrawn with the body and not left in the o vagina.
  • the use of an inverting sample retention layer or membrane eliminates the need for the conventional rigid protective tube that is universally used to retrieve and guard the sample material in the prior art. It therefore adapts the sampling means for self-insertion, indwelling use and withdrawal, like the familiar tampon. 5
  • the semi-permeable membrane of the sample retention means may be made using technology well known in the filter art. It may be a sheet of synthetic material having holes of known size formed therein, or it may be a fibrous paperlike or fabric-like material having a pore size sufficiently small to retain tissue and 0 bacterial cells.
  • the membrane is preferably hydrophilic, should allow water to flow readily there-through to the supporting adsorbent body and, preferably, should carry a charge that assists in the retention of cellular material.
  • the membranes need to be biocompatible and certified for use within the human body. Semi-permeable membranes meeting these requirements are commercially available from manufactures such as Whatman of Kent, UK,
  • a protective skirt-like membrane can be used which will invert over the distal end of the body during withdrawal to protect the sample retention means against rubbing on the vaginal wall.
  • a protective membrane should not be adapted to retain sample material and need not be porous, though it should be comfortable to insert and withdraw. Again, materials of this nature are well known in the biomaterials art.
  • indwelling sample collection means which incorporate an applicator rod or tube and which are, therefore, intended for the collection of an 'instantaneous' sample.
  • an absorbent body may be affixed to the distal end of the applicator and an inverting sample-retention membrane may be fitted over the body, as before.
  • a swab-like sample retention means may be 0 fixed to the applicator and a protective skirt-like inverting membrane used.
  • inverting membranes avoids the need for the swab and sample to be withdrawn into a protective tube and, therefore, permits the use of a thin and inexpensive applicator rod.
  • An applicator may also be used for the insertion of the indwelling sampling means of the present invention, if desired. This allows another useful variation if the design of the sampling means to be implemented. If a soft compressible open-cell sponge is used for the body and a semi-permeable membrane is used for the sample retention means, the body can be used as a pump to draw liquid through o the membrane. This feature can be exploited by using an applicator tube to hold the body in a compressed stated until it is released in the vaginal vault, whereupon the sponge of the body will expand and draw fluid from the vault into it through the membrane.
  • the entire body may be covered by the membrane, or the portion which is not so covered (normally the proximal portion) may be sealed or covered with an impermeable layer.
  • the filter-like membrane will be bonded to the body on at least its distal portion so that it cannot be displaced from the surface 5 of the body when the body is compressed to fit it into the applicator tube.
  • the means for withdrawing the indwelling device is, conveniently, a string that extends from the proximal end of the body toward the labia (when in use) so that the user can readily grip it in the same way as the withdrawal string of a tampon.
  • a string that extends from the proximal end of the body toward the labia (when in use) so that the user can readily grip it in the same way as the withdrawal string of a tampon.
  • an inverting membrane is used as the sample retention means
  • other methods of securing the retention means to the body such as heat or adhesive bonding or physical incorporation, are also envisaged. 5
  • a swab-like element is used as the sample retention means, it need not be highly absorbent and may have a comparatively coarse and open structure - whether fibrous or spongy - so that it will exert a gentle scraping action on the cervix and/or vaginal vault.
  • the swab-like sample retention means and o the body may be one and the same physical structure, with the sample retention means comprising the distal surface of the body.
  • Such a combined body and sample retention means might be, for example, a soft resilient pad formed from fine stainless steel wire, as is known in the art and is commercially available.
  • the collected sample may be isolated and handled in a variety of ways. If a separable sample-retention membrane is not employed, the distal end of the body may be smeared onto a microscope slide or rinsed in a container of preservative, in the conventional manner for Pap Smears. The body of the device may then be disposed of like a tampon. If an everting sample retention membrane is o employed, it can be attached to the distal end of the body at a single point and can be readily severed from the body at the point of attachment and dropped into a jar of fixative solution without being handled in any other way. A separable swab-like sample retention means can be treated similarly, either being wiped onto a slide or severed from the body and dropped into fixative solution.
  • a filter-like sample- 5 retention semi-permeable membrane is used.
  • the membrane can be laid onto a slide or a porous transfer plate (with or without preliminary rinsing) with the sample side against the slide or plate. Transfer of the sample (filtrate) from the membrane onto the slide can be assisted by the application of mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic pressure from a hand-operated o syringe-like device or by the use of a semi-automated machine. If the membranous sample retention means cannot be processed immediately in this manner, the user can place the membrane flat on moist sterile fixative pad which is then covered and hermetically sealed for transfer to a processing laboratory.
  • the preserved membrane sample may then be used in a semi-automated 5 machine that transfers the sample filtrate material onto a microscope slide in a similar manner as samples are transferred from ThinPrep® filter paper to slides. This avoids the need to transfer the sample material to a dilute solution and then re-concentrate it by filtration.
  • the sample retention means may - if desired - be dropped into or rinsed out in a fixative solution in the o conventional manner now employed in ThinPrep® analysis.
  • the invention comprises a method of taking samples from the vaginal introitus which is characterised by fully inserting a soft and pliable swab-like sampling device into the vagina, leaving the device in place (preferably 5 for a period between a few minutes and a few hours, more preferably for between
  • the method may include the procedures for the removal of the sample retention means, its fixing and/or preservation and the 0 processing of the sample material as outlined above.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the sampling system that forms the first example of the invention; parts (a) to (f) of this Figure showing successive stages in the collection and processing of samples.
  • Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a sampling device, which forms o the second example of the invention; parts (a) to (e) of this Figure showing successive stages in the collection of samples.
  • Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a sampling device, which forms the third example of the invention; parts (a) to (f) of this Figure showing successive stages in the collection of samples.
  • Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a sampling device, which forms the fourth example of the invention; parts (a) and (b) of this Figure showing two stages in the collection of samples.
  • Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a sampling device, which forms the fifth example of the invention; parts (a) to (c) of this Figure o showing three stages in the collection of samples
  • Figure 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a sampling device, which forms the sixth example of the invention.
  • the body and the sample 5 retention means are integral in that the sample retention means comprises the formamenous surface 100 of a soft and resilient swab-like body 102 which can be formed from synthetic sponge material, a soft pad of stainless steel wire, and/or from cellulose and polyester fibres - all of which are known in the art.
  • body 102 When uncompressed, body 102 has a generally spherical shape of 15 to 20mm in 0 diameter so that it will be retained in the vaginal vault 104 ( Figure 1 (b). It should be considerably softer than a tampon so that it can be readily deformed as it is withdrawn.
  • the withdrawal means is a string 106 secured to the body.
  • an applicator 108 comprising an open ended tube 110, a piston rod 111 and an elongate piston 112 which is slotted to accommodate the withdrawal string 106, as shown in Figure 1(a)
  • Tube 110 is 5 preferably of about 10 mm in diameter so that it will enter and pass along the vaginal canal 114 [ Figure 1 (b)] comfortably, while not making it difficult to load body 102 therein
  • swab-like body 102 is retained within o vaginal vault 104 for at least 30 minutes, preferably some hours, while the user goes about her normal duties It is then withdrawn using string 106 and applied by the user to at least one microscope slide 1 16 [ Figure 1 (c)] to form one or more Pap-smears
  • a fixative solution is applied from an eyedropper 118 and the sl ⁇ de(s) are packaged and 5 sent to a pathology laboratory for professional microscopic assessment
  • the microscope is indicated diagrammatically at 120 in Figure 1(f)
  • swab 102 can be dropped into a fixative solution 122 in a container 124 [Figure 1 (c)]
  • device 0 100 can simply be dangled from string 106 into fixative solution 122 and jiggled about to dislodge and wash off the sample material into solution 122
  • Container 124 is then sealed, packaged and sent to a pathology laboratory that has a ThinPrep machine for assessment
  • the ThinPrep machine 126 filters the fixative solution 122 [ Figure 1 (d)] and transfers the filtrate to a microscope slide 128 5 [ Figure 1(e)] that is then assessed under microscope 120 by a pathologist
  • the device 200 of the second example comprises a body 202 that is shaped and proportioned like a tampon but is not made of adsorbent material
  • Body 202 is preferably made from closed-cell plastic sponge that is soft to touch but not 0 readily deformable, again, like a tampon It has a cup-like distal end 203 that accommodates a swab-like sample retention means 204 which can be formed like the swab 102 of the first example, or as in the present example, can be formed from dry compressed absorbent material, such as cellulose, which expands considerably when wet
  • a thin protective skirt-like membrane 206 that is lubricated and substantially impermeable is located between swab 204 and body 202, the swab 204, membrane 206 and body 202 being held together by a withdrawal string 208 that passes through the centre of all components and 5 extends from the bottom of body 202
  • the proximal portion 207 of sample retention means 204 is shaped to fit snugly a cup-like recess formed in the upper (distal) end of body 202 capturing the centre of membrane 206 which is arranged to extend in the o proximal direction
  • the outer surface of membrane 206 is lubricated to assist insertion of the device
  • the proximal portion of the withdrawal string is shown folded at 208a The entire device is enclosed in a hygienic and sterile package 209
  • sample retention means 204 is located in the vaginal vault near the cervix (not shown), the proximal entry to the vaginal vault (not shown) being effectively sealed by membrane 206 and body 202 As moisture and sample material is collected by the swab-like retention means 204, it expands somewhat 0 as shown in Figure 2(b) Upon withdrawal using string 208 [Figure 2(c)], membrane 204 is everted by rolling on the vaginal wall to cover retention means 204 [ Figure 2(d)] and to reduce the loss of sample material on the vaginal wall
  • the device 300 of the third example [ Figure 3] comprises a body 302 of absorbent material such as a blend of cotton and polyester fibres, body 302 being manufactured in a dry and compressed state
  • the distal portion 302a of the body 302 is highly absorbent while the proximal portion 302b is much less absorbent. This may be achieved by varying the composition of the material, by varying the degree of compression or by employing two different materials.
  • the proximal end 302c is treated to be impervious to water, as by dipping it in a suitable polymer or the like.
  • Semi-permeable membrane 304 serves as the sample collection means and is fitted over body 302 so as to completely cover it, excepting for its bottom face.
  • the centre of membrane 304 can be bonded to the distal end of a withdrawal string 308 that passes right through body 302, as shown; or, the centre of o membrane 304 can be bonded to the centre of the distal end of body 302 by adhesive, ultrasonic welding or heat.
  • Membrane 304 may be formed from short bonded cellulose, polyethylene and/or polypropylene fibres in the manner well known in the filter paper art so that cellular and bacterial material will be retained thereon while water is enabled to pass there-through. While membrane 304 may 5 be lubricated to make insertion more comfortable, it is preferable to avoid lubricants (especially those which are greasy) and to rely upon the composition and texture of the material for comfortable insertion.
  • the distal portion 302a of body 302 draws in moisture 0 from the vaginal vault through membrane 304 so that portion 302a expands relative to lower portion 302b.
  • the flow of moisture into the distal portion 302b of body 302 is inhibited by the higher density of that portion and by the impermeable layer 302c. Accordingly, substantially all moisture taken up by the body 302 is imbibed through the central and distal portion of membrane 304. This portion of 5 membrane 304 thus collects tissue and bacterial cells on its external surface.
  • membrane 304 Upon withdrawal of the device, membrane 304 is everted upon itself [as shown in Figure 3(c)], so that all the sample material and filtrate that has been retained on its external face is now protected on the inside thereof. Membrane 304 is then o separated from attachment area 306 by cutting or tearing [ Figure 3(d)] and placed in a sample container (not shown) as in the previous examples, or it is placed upon a slide or transfer plate 310 [ Figure 3(e)] so that the filtrate is presented to plate 310. Transfer of the filtrate from membrane 304 may be assisted by air pressure applied, for example, by the use of a simple pump 312. This technique is known and employed in the ThinPrep® system.
  • the fourth example is illustrated in Figure 4 and comprises a device 400 having 5 a highly adsorbent elongate body 402 which has the shape and size of a tampon and which is formed from an open-cell polymeric foam, or from cellulose and polyester fibres like a tampon.
  • the distal face of body 402 is loosely covered with a semi-permeable filter membrane 404 while the rest of body 402 - including the entire proximal portion 403 - is covered by an impermeable plastic bio-compatible o membrane 406 that may be a coating on body 402, or a separate container-like covering, which extends to the periphery of filter membrane 404 to which it is bonded.
  • a skirt-like membrane 408 is bonded to impermeable membrane 406 at or near the periphery of filter membrane 404.
  • a withdrawal string 410 is affixed to body 402 and extends through the proximal face 412 of impermeable 5 membrane 406.
  • Figure 4(a) shows device 400 as it might appear when inserted like a tampon in a vagina 420 so that its distal end with filter membrane 404 is located in the vaginal vault 422 in close proximity to the cervix 424.
  • the proximal portion 403 of body 0 402 and the skirt 408 then effectively close off the vaginal canal 426 and skirt
  • FIG. 408 lines most if not all of the canal.
  • Figure 4(b) shows the device 400 as it might appear just after removal from vagina 420.
  • Skirt 408 has been inverted over filter membrane 404, protecting the sample material collected thereon. Moreover, by peeling off the walls of vaginal canal 426 as device 400 is being 5 withdrawn, the use of skirt 408 makes the withdrawal process - as well as the insertion process - comfortable for the user. Skirt 408 also protects the proximal portion 403 of body 402 from contact with vaginal fluids so that it is not unpleasant to grasp or touch.
  • impermeable membrane 406 over all of the body which is not covered by filter membrane 404 ensures that all moisture imbibed by body 400 is drawn from the vaginal vault 422 in close proximity to the cervix and all cellular matter entrained therewith is retained on filter membrane 404.
  • the user grasps the distal portion 403 of body 400 in one hand and the free end of inverted skirt 408 in the other and pulls to detach skirt 408 and filter membrane filter membrane 404 from body 402 and impermeable membrane 406. Filter 5 membrane 404 can then be cut free from skirt 408 and processed in the manner described in the previous examples.
  • the device 500 has a body 502 that is of spherical or oblate shape and is formed from open-cell water-imbibing plastic foam that is readily compressible.
  • the proximal portion of body 502 is covered with a water-impermeable coating 502a while its distal portion is covered with a semi-permeable filter-like membrane 502b of the type 5 previously described.
  • a protective skirt-like membrane 504 surrounds body 500 and is conveniently attached to the junction between proximal coating 502a and distal membrane 502b on body 500.
  • device 500 In order to use device 500, it is compressed and fed into an applicator tube 506. o The compression of the body 502 forces air therefrom through semi-permeable membrane 502b.
  • Figure 5(b) shows the device loaded in tube 506. The device is then inserted into the vaginal vault (not shown) using applicator 506, allowing the foam body 502 to expand and to apply a negative pressure on the inside or proximal face of the filter membrane to suck fluid from the vault into the body. 5 Though the pressure in body 502 will be quickly equalised with that of in the vaginal vault, fluid will continue to be imbibed by the body through capillary attraction. As before, cellular material will be collected on the surface of the semi- permeable membrane.
  • the device 600 comprises a swab-like member 602 mounted on the distal end of an applicator rod 604.
  • Member 602 consists of an adsorbent body 606 moulded onto the distal end of applicator 604, and a layer of semi-permeable material 608 coated 5 on the exposed surface of body 606.
  • a guard skirt 610 around the proximal peripheral edge of body 606.
  • the device of the sixth example is inserted into the vagina until the cervix or vaginal vault is felt and left in place for a few minutes to allow body 502 to imbibe o fluid from the vault through membrane for coating 608. The device is then withdrawn, causing skirt 610 to be protectively inverted over loaded coating 608.
  • the body of the sample collection means serves one or more functions: 5 • it can act as a tampon-like indwelling applicator by which the sample retention means is inserted by the user,
  • membrane-like sample retention means can also have multiple functions:

Abstract

L'invention concerne des dispositifs et des procédés pour le prélèvement de matière cellulaire dans la cavité vaginale, dans lesquels le liquide vaginal est généralement adsorbé par un corps au travers d'une membrane semi-perméable qui retient la matière cellulaire. Sous une forme, le dispositif (500) comprend un corps (502) s'apparentant à un tampon qui comporte une partie distale hautement adsorbante (502b) à côté d'une autre partie tendre, mais moins perméable (502a). Un membrane semi-perméable (504) enveloppe le dispositif (500). Un cordon (508) permet de retirer le dispositif (500) de la cavité après qu'il ait séjourné de quelques minutes à plusieurs heures dans cette dernière. Le fluide dont s'est imbibé le dispositif (500) doit traverser la membrane en y abandonnant toute matière cellulaire. Au moment du retrait du dispositif, la membrane (504) faisant office de filtre se retourne et protège la matière prélevée contre tout contact avec le canal vaginal. Cette membrane se retire facilement du dispositif (500) pour récupération de la matière prélevée aux fins d'analyse.
PCT/AU1998/000894 1997-10-24 1998-10-26 Systeme de prelevements dans la cavite vaginale WO1999021521A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU10105/99A AU1010599A (en) 1997-10-24 1998-10-26 Vaginal introitus sampling system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPO9999A AUPO999997A0 (en) 1997-10-24 1997-10-24 Vaginal introitus sampling system
AUPO9999 1997-10-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999021521A1 true WO1999021521A1 (fr) 1999-05-06

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PCT/AU1998/000894 WO1999021521A1 (fr) 1997-10-24 1998-10-26 Systeme de prelevements dans la cavite vaginale

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WO (1) WO1999021521A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6174293B1 (en) 1996-05-17 2001-01-16 A-Fem Medical Corporation Method and apparatus for collecting vaginal fluid and exfoliated vaginal cells for diagnostic purposes
WO2020201769A1 (fr) * 2019-04-05 2020-10-08 Calla Lily Personal Care Ltd Dispositif de collecte d'échantillon corporel
WO2020260960A1 (fr) * 2019-06-28 2020-12-30 Anne's Day Ltd. Procédés et kits de détection vaginale utilisant un tampon
WO2023027993A1 (fr) * 2021-08-23 2023-03-02 Veradermics Incorporated Compositions et méthodes de traitement de l'alopecia areata
WO2023067368A1 (fr) * 2021-10-18 2023-04-27 Up Billion Fze Tissu souple d'échantillonnage avec zone de rupture, qui protège les cellules échantillonnées

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3864213A (en) * 1973-02-05 1975-02-04 Microbyx Corp Culturing method
US3877464A (en) * 1972-06-07 1975-04-15 Andrew R Vermes Intra-uterine biopsy apparatus
US5231992A (en) * 1990-06-04 1993-08-03 Leon Arnaldo C Low-impact cervical cell and fluid collector
US5445164A (en) * 1993-05-11 1995-08-29 Gynetech, Inc. Cervical tissue sampling device
WO1997043955A1 (fr) * 1996-05-17 1997-11-27 A.Fem Medical Corporation Procede et dispositif de prelevement de fluide vaginal et de cellules de desquamation vaginale en vue d'un diagnostic

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3877464A (en) * 1972-06-07 1975-04-15 Andrew R Vermes Intra-uterine biopsy apparatus
US3864213A (en) * 1973-02-05 1975-02-04 Microbyx Corp Culturing method
US5231992A (en) * 1990-06-04 1993-08-03 Leon Arnaldo C Low-impact cervical cell and fluid collector
US5445164A (en) * 1993-05-11 1995-08-29 Gynetech, Inc. Cervical tissue sampling device
WO1997043955A1 (fr) * 1996-05-17 1997-11-27 A.Fem Medical Corporation Procede et dispositif de prelevement de fluide vaginal et de cellules de desquamation vaginale en vue d'un diagnostic

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6174293B1 (en) 1996-05-17 2001-01-16 A-Fem Medical Corporation Method and apparatus for collecting vaginal fluid and exfoliated vaginal cells for diagnostic purposes
WO2020201769A1 (fr) * 2019-04-05 2020-10-08 Calla Lily Personal Care Ltd Dispositif de collecte d'échantillon corporel
CN114126497A (zh) * 2019-04-05 2022-03-01 凯勒莉莉私人护理有限公司 身体样本采集装置
WO2020260960A1 (fr) * 2019-06-28 2020-12-30 Anne's Day Ltd. Procédés et kits de détection vaginale utilisant un tampon
WO2023027993A1 (fr) * 2021-08-23 2023-03-02 Veradermics Incorporated Compositions et méthodes de traitement de l'alopecia areata
WO2023067368A1 (fr) * 2021-10-18 2023-04-27 Up Billion Fze Tissu souple d'échantillonnage avec zone de rupture, qui protège les cellules échantillonnées

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Publication number Publication date
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