Apparatus for and method of collecting and preserving cytologic samples

Claim 1

A cytologic collection and preservation system for preserving collected cell specimens in a preservative liquid, comprising the combination of a cytologic collecting device enclosed within an elongated closed container containing cell preservative liquid wherein the collecting device has a collector end for collecting cell specimens with a cylindrical shaft extending from the collector end to a notched shaft portion disposed at an end of the collecting device opposite the collector end, said collector end having a collector body and a collector nose collectively including sponge-like material disposed substantially symmetrically about the cylindrical shaft wherein the collector body has a multi-ridge perimeter with a first set of ridges longitudinally orientated and parallel to the shaft and wherein the collector nose has a second set of ridges extending from the multi-ridge perimeter of the collector body and converging toward a point at the end of the collecting device opposite the notched shaft portion to dispose both the collector body and the collector nose for collecting cell specimens and wherein the elongated container enclosing the collecting device has a closed bottom for holding the cell preservative liquid and an open top for initial insertion of the collecting device into the container with a shaft bearing area integral with and disposed at the top of the container and further including a container cap slidably engaged at the top of the container for closing the container and sealing the liquid within the container, said cap having an arcuately shaped cut-out at one edge of the cap for engaging and aligning the notched shaft portion of the collecting device with the shaft bearing area disposed at the top of the container wherein when the collecting device is initially inserted into the container the cap, slidably engaged with the container, causes the notched shaft portion of the collecting device to bear against the cap cut-out at one edge of the cap and the bearing area at the top of the container to break the shaft of the collecting device at the notched shaft portion and separate it from a handle of the collecting device to thereby seal the collecting device within the container in the preservative liquid for preserving the cell specimens collected by the collector body and collector nose of the collecting device.