Patent ID: 6475165
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A cervical self-sampling device for the self-sampling of culture material or specimens for use in thin smear cytology techniques, microbiologic assay, and epidemiologic studies, said device comprising:a tampon-like telescoping cardboard tube; an extrudable and retractable sponge housed within said telescoping cardboard tube, said sponge sized for the painless self-sampling of cervical specimens; a handle attached to said sponge, the handle forming a screw cap for a standard tube for sealing and preserving a sample in a fixative contained within the standard tube, and said tube being structured to telescope between an extended orientation, wherein said sponge is contained within said tube, and a compressed orientation wherein said sponge extends from said tube so as to collect the cervical specimen.