Patent US1873952A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4877037A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4877037A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tissue or mucus sampling device
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1988-10-06
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Granted: 1989-10-31
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Expires: 2008-10-06
Abstract
Abstract An extremely simple cervical tissue or mucus sampling device comprising an outer protective sleeve, a guard means, a telescoping insertion tube, a stop means and a tissue or mucus sampling member is disclosed which enables a woman to obtain a sample of cervical tissue or mucus for examination and testing.
Inventors
- 👤 Su-sen Ko
- 👤 Dan L. Fanselow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0291; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B10/0045; A61B2010/0074; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320004; A61B2017/320012; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device for obtaining a tissue or mucus sample from the cervical os or the vaginal fornix comprising at one-piece elongate, cylindrical outer protective sleeve terminating in a tip, positionable guard means on said protective sleeve for limiting the insertion depth of said device into the vaginal cavity, an elongate, cylindrical insertion tube having a first end and a second end telescopically fitting within said protective sleeve, surmountable stop means on said insertion tube for temporarily inhibiting said first end of said insertion tube from protruding through said protective sleeve, stop means on said insertion tube for permanently limiting the extent of protrusion of said tube beyond said sleeve, a tissue or mucus sampling member on said first end of said insertion tube and a handle member affixed to said second end of said insertion tube for manipulating said tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device for obtaining a tissue or mucus sample from the cervical os or the vaginal fornix comprising at one-piece elongate, cylindrical outer protective sleeve terminating in a tip, positionable guard means on said protective sleeve for limiting the insertion depth of said device into the vaginal cavity, an elongate, cylindrical insertion tube having a first end and a second end telescopically fitting within said protective sleeve, surmountable stop means on said insertion tube for temporarily inhibiting said first end of said insertion tube from protruding through said protective sleeve, stop means on said insertion tube for permanently limiting the extent of protrusion of said tube beyond said sleeve, a tissue or mucus sampling member on said first end of said insertion tube and a handle member affixed to said second end of said insertion tube for manipulating said tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 1 wherein said tip of said protective sleeve has a reduced diameter orifice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 1 wherein said protective sleeve is semi-rigid and is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, Teflon and Nylon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 3 wherein said protective sleeve is curved at an angle of from 15° to 45° from the horizontal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 4 wherein said angle is 22.5° and occurs at a point which is located about one fifth of the total length of said protective sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 1 wherein said insertion tube is semi-rigid and is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, Teflon and Nylon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 1 wherein said tissue or mucus sampling member comprises an elongate semi-rigid rod having a covering at one end thereof of a flexible, soft, resilient fibrous material selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, polyester and calcium alginate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 1 wherein tissue or mucus sampling member comprises a flexible foam pad directly affixed to said insertion tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 1 wherein said tissue or mucus sampling member comprises an elongate semi-rigid rod having a covering at one end thereof of a flexible foam pad.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 9 wherein the flexible foam pad is a polyurethane open cell foam pad.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 1 wherein said tissue or mucus sampling member comprises an elongate semi-rigid rod having a scraper member affixed to one end thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 1 wherein said surmountable stop means comprises one or more protruberances on said insertion tube such that the widest diameter of said insertion tube is at the point of said protruberance or protruberances and is slightly wider than the inner diameter of said protective sleeve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 1 wherein said tissue or mucus sampling member is made of a hydrophilic polymeric material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tissue or mucus sampling device according to claim 1 wherein said tissue or mucus sampling member has a hydrophilic polymeric surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-10-30 | 1993-05-01 | 1993-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-30 | 1997-05-01 | 1997-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-30 | 2001-05-01 | 2001-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |