US4243049A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for exfoliative cytology
Assignee: University of Minnesota System
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Filing: 1979-06-11
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Granted: 1981-01-06
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Expires: 1999-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A method of obtaining actual tumor cells from remote, previously inaccessible anatomical locations and apparatus for carrying out said method, which includes a miniature cell-scraping rasp of an extremely small size which was previously unavailable and which is particularly adapted to be passed into the far reaches of inaccessible anatomic organs. The method and the rasp are particularly adaptable to abrade the epithelium of ductal areas and produce exfoliation of cells and facilitate collections of the cells for cytologic diagnosis.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Goodale
- 👤 Thomas D. Dressel
- 👤 John W. Borner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/04; A61B2010/0216; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22038; A61B2017/22042; A61B2017/22044; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320004; A61B2017/320008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
The method for exfoliative abrasion of cells from the inner portions of the pancreatic duct and other inaccessible anatomical locations; said method including the following steps; providing a serrated rasp element of a diameter less than 1.0 mm, inserting an endoscope down through the patient's mouth, esophagus, and stomach to locate the lower end thereof in substantially opposed relation to the entrance to the pancreatic duct, providing flexible operating means for said rasp element, inserting said operating means and rasp element downwardly through said endoscope and through the entrance of said pancreatic duct, engaging the epithelium of the desired ductal areas by a scraping action of the serrated rasp element to abrade the same and produce exfoliation of cells therefrom, collecting said exfoliated cells, and withdrawing said rasp and endoscope back through the patient's mouth.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
The method for exfoliative abrasion of cells from the inner portions of the pancreatic duct and other inaccessible anatomical locations; said method including the following steps; providing a serrated rasp element of a diameter less than 1.0 mm, inserting an endoscope down through the patient's mouth, esophagus, and stomach to locate the lower end thereof in substantially opposed relation to the entrance to the pancreatic duct, providing flexible operating means for said rasp element, inserting said operating means and rasp element downwardly through said endoscope and through the entrance of said pancreatic duct, engaging the epithelium of the desired ductal areas by a scraping action of the serrated rasp element to abrade the same and produce exfoliation of cells therefrom, collecting said exfoliated cells, and withdrawing said rasp and endoscope back through the patient's mouth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method set forth in claim 1 and providing a guiding catheter tube, extending said tube downwardly through said endoscope and through the entrance of said pancreatic duct, and inserting said operating means and said rasp through said catheter into the pancreatic duct.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for abrading cells from the inner portions of the pancreatic duct and similar inaccessible anatomical locations, a serrated rasp element of a size less than 1.0 mm in diameter, flexible operating means attached at one end of said rasp, and means for guiding said rasp and said operating means down through the mouth, esophagus and stomach of the patient and through the entrance of the pancreatic duct into inner portions of said duct where sample cells are to be abraded and collected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for abrading cells from the inner portions of the pancreatic duct and similar inaccessible anatomical locations, a serrated rasp element of a size less than 1.0 mm in diameter, flexible operating means attached at one end of said rasp, and means for guiding said rasp and said operating means down through the mouth, esophagus and stomach of the patient and through the entrance of the pancreatic duct into inner portions of said duct where sample cells are to be abraded and collected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein the serrations of said rasp are formed by grooved portions producing cutting ridge portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein the serrations of said rasp are formed by a plurality of axially spaced circumferential grooves producing circumferential cutting ridges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The structure set forth in claim 5 wherein the leading portions of the surfaces formed by said grooves are generally frusto-conical decreasing in diameter toward the trailing ends thereof, to form the cutting ridge at the trailing ends of the respective grooves, whereby the scraping and cell-collecting action of the rasp occurs during the forward movement of the rasp into the duct.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure set forth in claim 5 wherein the trailing ends of said grooves are undercut to produce an effective peripheral cutting edge and collection area adjacent thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein the forward end of said rasp has a rounded, tapered nose to guide said rasp through the duct.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2955592A
Cited
US3230949A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-06 | 1984-07-07 | 1985-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-06 | 1988-07-07 | 1989-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-06 | 1992-07-07 | 1993-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |