US5137030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diagnostic methods
Assignee: Animal House Inc
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Filing: 1989-10-02
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Granted: 1992-08-11
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Expires: 2009-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A probe is provided for collecting mucous tissue samples in vivo particularly from the conjunctiva, the urethra and the cervix. The probe comprises a handle portion and a body portion, which is slotted for scraping tissue into the slots. The tissue sample may then be introduced into an aqueous transport medium comprising sucrose, potassium phosphates, foetal bovine serum, streptomycin, vancomycin and nystatin. The sample may be smeared from the transport medium, with the cells still intact onto a slide, using a cytocentrifuge; and then the smear is assayed for disease, for example disease due to adenovirus, herpes simplex virus or chlamydia. The assay step may include single or multiple immunofluorescent staining.
Inventors
- 👤 Sohrab Darougar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0291; A61B10/0045; A61B2010/0074; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320004; A61B2017/320008; G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/2813; G01N2001/2846
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A probe adapted to collect a mucous tissue sample in vivo consisting of (a) a handle portion; (b) a rigid body portion; (c) means for collecting tissue comprising a plurality of continuous and nonintersecting slots provided in the body portion; the slots having outer edge portions to effect tissue scraping wherein the width of each slot between its outer edge portions is selected from the group consisting of (1) 0.25 to 0.5 mm and (2) 0.5 to 0.75 mm and said rigid body portion in the region of the slots having a diameter selected from the group consisting of (1) between 3 and 5 mm and (2) between 5 and 8.5 mm and wherein the width of the body portion between said slots in greater than the width of said slots.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A probe adapted to collect a mucous tissue sample in vivo consisting of (a) a handle portion; (b) a rigid body portion; (c) means for collecting tissue comprising a plurality of continuous and nonintersecting slots provided in the body portion; the slots having outer edge portions to effect tissue scraping wherein the width of each slot between its outer edge portions is selected from the group consisting of (1) 0.25 to 0.5 mm and (2) 0.5 to 0.75 mm and said rigid body portion in the region of the slots having a diameter selected from the group consisting of (1) between 3 and 5 mm and (2) between 5 and 8.5 mm and wherein the width of the body portion between said slots in greater than the width of said slots.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A probe according to claim 1 wherein the outer edge portions of the slots are sharp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A probe according to claim 1, wherein the width of each slot between its outer edge portions is 0.25-0.5 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A probe according to claim 1, wherein said slots comprise at least twelve evenly spaced slots.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
A probe according to claim 1 of integral metallic construction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
A probe according to claim 1 of integral plastic construction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A probe according to claim 1, adapted to collect a tissue sample from the conjunctiva, wherein the body portion is cylindrical in the region of the slots, the slots are radial and extend axially of the probe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A probe according to claim 7, wherein said slots comprise at least fifteen evenly spaced slots.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A probe according to claim 7 wherein the diameter of the body portion in the region of the slots is 3-5 nm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A probe according to claim 1 adapted to collect a tissue sample from the conjunctiva or urethra wherein the width of each slot between its outer edge portions is 0.25-0.5 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A probe according to claim 1, adapted to collect a tissue sample from the cervix, wherein the width of each slot between its outer edge portions is 0.5-0.75 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A probe according to claim 1 adapted to collect a tissue sample from the urethra or cervix wherein the body portion is cylindrical in the region of the slots and the slots are annular.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A urethral probe according to claim 12 wherein said slots comprise at least fifteen evenly spaced slots.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A urethral probe according to claim 10, wherein the diameter of the body portion in the region of the slots is 3-5 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A urethral probe according to claim 12, wherein the axial length of the slotted region is at least 10 mm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A urethral probe according to claim 12, wherein the axial length of the slotted region is at least 14 mm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cervical probe according to claim 12 wherein said slots comprise at least twenty evenly spaced slots.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A cervical probe according to claim 12 wherein the diameter of the body portion in the region of the slots is 5-8.5 mm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cervical probe according to claim 12 wherein the axial length of the slotted region is 10-20 mm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cervical probe according to claim 12 wherein the body portion defines annular shoulder means for preventing entry of the probe into the uterus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
A cervical probe according to claim 20 wherein the body portion terminates in nose means for comfortable insertion into the cervix and the length of the body portion from the annular shoulder to the tip of the nose is at most 20 mm.
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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) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-02-10 | 1996-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-11 | 2000-02-10 | 2000-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-11 | 2004-02-10 | 2004-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |