Patent ID: 9320502
Filing Date: 2016-04-26
CPC Classification: A61B,A61M

Claim Text:
1. A medical device for collecting cells, the device comprising: an inflatable balloon being expandable from a compressed condition to an expanded condition, the balloon having proximal and distal portions and defining a longitudinal axis; a perforated sleeve surrounding the balloon, the perforated sleeve having proximal and distal portions, wherein the proximal portion of the sleeve is attached to the proximal portion of the balloon, the distal portion of the sleeve is attached to the distal portion of the balloon, and inflation of the balloon expands the sleeve radially outward, wherein the inner diameter of the sleeve is less than or equal to the maximum outer diameter of the balloon; a plurality of openings disposed through sleeve, wherein the openings collect cells in response to engagement within a surface of a patient's body; and wherein the balloon and sleeve have a cell-collection configuration where the balloon is inflated to contact an inner surface of the sleeve and at least a portion of the plurality of openings, wherein, when inflated, the balloon blocks openings of the plurality of openings to trap and collect cells with the blocked openings; and wherein there is no intermediate structure radially between the balloon and the perforated sleeve, wherein the balloon will not be limited from contacting the inner surface of the sleeve by intermediate structure and will not be limited from blocking the openings by intermediate structure.