Patent Publication Number: US-11375987-B2

Title: Designs and methods to facilitate swallowing of a tethered cell collection device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES 
     This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/826,426, filed Aug. 14, 2015, entitled “Designs and Methods to Facilitate Swallowing of a Tethered Cell Collection Device”, which claims the benefit of the filing date of provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62/037,669, entitled “Designs and Methods to Facilitate Swallowing of a Tethered Cell Collection Device”, filed on Aug. 15, 2014, each assigned to the assignee hereof and the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     To diagnose certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, a swallowable cell collection device may be used to collect cells from the surface of the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. Typically, a swallowable cell collection device will include a retrieval string that allows the swallowable portion of the cell collection device to be retrieved back through the mouth of the patient. However, swallowing the retrieval string may be very difficult and unpleasant for the patient because the string may trigger the patient&#39;s gag reflex. 
     Accordingly, there may be a need for improved methods and devices to administer a swallowable cell collection device with a retrieval string to a patient. 
     SUMMARY 
     The described features generally relate to one or more improved methods, systems, or apparatuses for administering a swallowable cell collection device to a patient. According to various embodiments, packaging apparatuses include one or more features or materials configured to house components of the swallowable cell collection device while the cell collection device is in a pre-deployed configuration. Some features of the packaging apparatuses are configured to releasably retain a string of the swallowable cell collection device in a swallowable bundle. Improved methods include removing a swallowable bundle of string of the cell collection device from a packaging apparatus while maintaining the string in a swallowable bundle and delivering the swallowable bundle to a patient. 
     According to various embodiments, a packaging apparatus for administering a swallowable cell collection device to a patient is provided. In general, a packaging apparatus may include one or more bundling features configured to releasably retain a portion of retrieval string of a swallowable cell collection device in a swallowable bundle. The packaging apparatus may further include a capsule housing configured to releasably retain a swallowable capsule of the swallowable cell collection device. 
     Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the bundling features may include one or more shafts with a proximal end coupled with the packaging apparatus and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The packaging apparatus may also include two shafts arranged parallel to each other. One or more shafts may be tapered such that a distal end of the shaft has a smaller cross section than a proximal end of the shaft. 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the shafts included in the packaging apparatus may contain a distal end retaining member coupled with the distal end and configured to prevent the swallowable bundle from sliding off the distal end while the swallowable cell collection device is in a pre-deployed configuration. Furthermore, the distal retaining member is removable in some examples. 
     In certain aspects, one or more bundling features may contain two posts extending orthogonal to a planar surface of the packaging apparatus. Furthermore, the packaging apparatus may contain a scoring feature disposed on a surface of the packaging apparatus and configured to facilitate bending of the packaging apparatus along the scoring feature. The retrieval string may be treated such that it remains bundled in the absence of external constraining forces. 
     In some embodiments, the packaging apparatus may contain a swallowable cell collection device, the swallowable cell collection device comprising a swallowable capsule coupled with a retrieval string, wherein the retrieval string is wrapped around the one or more bundling features in a swallowable bundle and the swallowable capsule is releasably retained in the capsule housing. 
     In yet another embodiment, a packaging apparatus for administering a swallowable cell collection device to a patient may comprise a swallowable cell collection device, the swallowable cell collection device comprising a swallowable capsule coupled with a retrieval string. Additionally or alternatively, such an embodiment may also include a capsule housing configured to releasably retain the swallowable capsule. A bundling material may be configured to releasably retain a portion of the retrieval string in a swallowable bundle. The bundling material may be a band wrapped around the swallowable bundle. Furthermore, the bundling material may be coupled with the packaging apparatus. In some embodiments, the bundling material may be dissolvable such that it dissolves when placed in contact with liquid. Additionally, the bundling material may comprise a pull tab, and the bundling material may further comprise a perforation. 
     According to various embodiments, a method for administering a swallowable cell collection device to a patient is provided. The method may include providing a packaging apparatus with a swallowable cell collection device, the swallowable cell collection device comprising a swallowable capsule coupled with a retrieval string, wherein the swallowable capsule is releasably retained in a capsule housing coupled with the packaging apparatus and a portion of the retrieval string is releasably retained in a swallowable bundle by one or more bundling features or bundling materials. Such a method may also include removing the swallowable bundle from the one or more bundling features or bundling materials while maintaining the swallowable bundle in a bundled configuration. In some embodiments, the method also includes placing the swallowable bundle on the tongue of the patient. 
     According to some embodiments, one or more bundling features may comprise one or more shafts around which the retrieval string is wound to form the swallowable bundle, and wherein removing the swallowable bundle from the one or more bundling features comprises sliding the swallowable bundle from a distal end of the one or more shafts. In such a method, one or more bundling materials may comprise a band wrapped around the swallowable bundle, and removing the swallowable bundle from the bundling material may comprise tearing the band. 
     Further scope of the applicability of the described methods and apparatuses will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the description will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the embodiments may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label. 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematic diagrams of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments: 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a packaging apparatus according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a packaging apparatus according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a packaging apparatus according to various embodiments: 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are schematic diagrams of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments: 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are schematic diagrams of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments: 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram of a swallowable bundle of retrieval string of a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments: 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  are schematic diagrams of a swallowable bundle of retrieval string of a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic diagram of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic diagram of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments; 
         FIGS. 18A and 18B  are schematic diagrams of a packaging apparatus and a swallowable cell collection device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart of a method for administering a swallowable cell collection device to a patient according to various embodiments; and 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart of a method for administering a swallowable cell collection device to a patient according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Typically, a swallowable cell collection device used to diagnose certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract will include a swallowable portion and a retrieval string coupled with the swallowable portion such that the swallowable portion may be retrieved back through the mouth of the patient. However, swallowing the retrieval string can be difficult or unpleasant for the patient because the presence of the string extending down the patient&#39;s throat can trigger the patient&#39;s gag reflex. Therefore, methods of administering the retrieval string to the patient in a compact yet swallowable configuration are described herein. 
     Additionally, a cell collection device packaged in such a way that requires the user to unwrap the retrieval string from the packaging and then to rewrap or otherwise manipulate the retrieval string before administering the cell collection device to the patient is cumbersome and tedious to prepare and administer. Requiring the user to manually bundle the retrieval string before administering the device to the patient could increase the potential that the retrieval string will become tangled, increases the time required to perform the procedure, and reduces the uniformity with which this type of procedure is performed across multiple patients. Accordingly, apparatuses configured to administer a swallowable cell collection device without requiring a user to unwrap and then manually rewrap or bundle the retrieval string are described herein. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates an example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  100 . In general, a packaged cell collection device assembly may include a swallowable cell collection device  105  and a packaging apparatus  110 . According to various embodiments, the packaging apparatus  110  is configured to retain the cell collection  105  in a pre-deployed or packaged configuration until the cell collection device  105  is ready for use on a patient. The swallowable cell collection device  105  is shown in a pre-deployed configuration in  FIG. 1A . A pre-deployed configuration refers to the cell collection device  105  being stored or packaged before being administered to a patient. In a pre-deployed configuration, the cell collection device  105  may be attached or coupled with the packaging apparatus  110  in a variety of ways as explained in further detail below. For example, the cell collection device  105  may be wrapped around a portion of the packaging apparatus  110  and may be retained in place by one or more retention features such as a slit, a removable tab, a hook or any combination of these features. 
     In general, the cell collection device  105  includes a swallowable capsule  115  coupled with a retrieval string  120 . The swallowable capsule  115  may contain an expandable sponge (not shown) or other similar material or device configured to collect cells from the stomach or esophagus of the patient. The string  120  may be tied or otherwise coupled with the packaging apparatus  110  at one end and coupled with the expandable sponge contained within swallowable capsule  115  at the other end. 
     The retrieval string  120  may be made from one or more natural or synthetic materials. For example, surgical suture material may be used. The string  120  is configured to be swallowed by a patient along with the swallowable capsule  115 . In some embodiments, the string  120  is coated or otherwise treated to make the surface of the string  120  more slippery and easier to swallow and withdraw. Additionally, the string  120  may also be coated or otherwise treated to manipulate the elasticity and resilience of the string  120 . For example, the string  120  may be heat treated such that the string  120  retains a desired shape or configuration (such as a swallowable bundle) in the absence of external constraints or forces. Furthermore, the length of the string  120  is selected to allow the swallowable capsule  115  to enter the stomach of a patient and to be retrieved back through the esophagus of the patient. 
     When the cell collection device  105  is in a pre-deployed configuration, the string  120  is maintained in a swallowable bundle  130  by one or more bundling apparatuses, features, materials, or other bundling means. The bundling apparatuses, features, or materials may be a feature or component of the packaging apparatus  110  or a separate element as explained in more detail below. 
     A swallowable bundle  130  refers to a bundle of retrieval string  120  with a size and shape that can be easily placed on the tongue of a patient and swallowed by the patient. As a patient swallows the swallowable bundle  130 , the string  120  naturally unbundles and straightens out within the esophagus while the swallowable capsule  115  travels down the esophagus of the patient. 
     A bundle  130  of string  120  may be formed by wrapping a portion of the string  120  around one or more bundling features such as one or more shafts, posts, or some other portion of the packaging apparatus  110 . For example, a portion of string  120  may be helically wrapped around a shaft  125  of the packaging apparatus  110  to form a swallowable bundle  130 . The shaft  125  may be substantially planar with a generally rectangular cross section. In other embodiments, such as  FIG. 2 , the shaft  125  may be rounded with a circular or oval cross section. Moreover, in some embodiments, the string  120  is wrapped around multiple shafts  125  to form a swallowable bundle  130 . In general, the shape and size of shaft  125  is configured to facilitate the formation of a swallowable bundle  130  of string  120  with a length and cross sectional dimension to allow the bundle  130  to be placed on the tongue of a patient and swallowed. In other embodiments, the swallowable bundle  130  may be formed by looping or folding the string  120  back on itself multiple times, as shown in  FIG. 12 . In yet other embodiments, the string  120  may be formed into a swallowable bundle  130  by wrapping the string  120  into a cylindrical or spherical shape as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     The packaging apparatus  110  may include features to retain the cell collection device  105  and to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from becoming unbundled when the cell collection device  105  is in a pre-deployed configuration. For example the shaft  125  may include retaining members that constrain the swallowable bundle  130  in a bundled configuration. The proximal end  135  of the shaft  125  may include a proximal end retaining member  145 . The proximal end retaining member  145  is configured to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off the proximal end  135  of shaft  125 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the proximal end retaining member  145  includes a portion with a larger cross section than that of the shaft  125 . Accordingly, when the swallowable bundle  130  is wrapped around the shaft  125 , it is prevented from sliding off the proximal end  135  of shaft  125  by the proximal end retaining member  145 . 
     Similarly, the distal end  140  of the shaft  125  may include a distal end retaining member  150  configured to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off the distal end  140  of the shaft  125  when the cell collection device  105  is in a pre-deployed configuration. In some embodiments, the distal end retaining member  150  includes a slit  151  cut into the distal end retaining member  150 . The width and depth of the slit  151  is configured to grasp the string  120 , thereby preventing the swallowable bundle  130  from unbundling or sliding off the distal end  140  of shaft  125  while in a pre-deployed configuration. 
       FIG. 1B  shows the packaged cell collection device assembly  100  with the cell collection device  105  in a deployed configuration. The cell collection device  105  is in a deployed configuration when it is ready to be administered to the patient. For example, the cell collection device  105  may be transitioned from a pre-deployed configuration to a deployed configuration by removing, detaching, or otherwise decoupling at least a portion of the cell collection device  105  from at least a portion of the packaging apparatus  110 . In some embodiments, the swallowable bundle  130  is released from a bundling feature, material, apparatus, or other bundling means when the cell collection device  105  is in a deployed configuration. For example, the cell collection device  105  may be deployed by sliding the swallowable bundle  130  off the distal end  140  of shaft  125 . Additionally or alternatively, the cell collection device  105  is transitioned from a pre-deployed configure to a deployed configuration by removing the swallowable capsule  115  from a capsule retention member such as a capsule housing, as described in more detail below. 
     In general, the packaging apparatus  110  and the retention and bundling features are configured such that there is no need to re-bundle the string  120  into a swallowable bundle  130  once removed from the packaging apparatus  110 . As the swallowable bundle  130  is removed from the shaft  125 , a user may retain the swallowable configuration by grasping the bundle  130  between two fingers, such as the thumb and index finger, or by using tweezers or any other suitable grasping device. In embodiments where the string  120  has been heat treated, the string  120  will remain in a substantially bundled configuration in the absence of external constraining forces from the shaft  125 , retaining members  145 ,  150 , or the user. The swallowable bundle  130  can then be administered to the patient by carefully placing the swallowable bundle  130  on the patient&#39;s tongue. 
       FIG. 2  shows an example of a packaging apparatus  110 - a , which may be an example of packaging apparatus  110  from  FIG. 1 . The packaging apparatus  110 - a  may include a shaft  125 - a  around which a string  120  (not shown) of a cell collection device  105  (not shown) may be wrapped into a swallowable bundle  130 . The shaft  125 - a  includes a proximal end  135 - a  and a distal end  140 - a . Each end may include a retaining member configured to retain the swallowable bundle  130  (not shown) in a bundled configuration and to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off either end of the shaft  125 - a . For example, the proximal end retaining member  145 - a  may include a flared portion such that the cross section of proximal end retaining member  145 - a  is greater than a cross section of the shaft  125 - a . The increased cross section of proximal end retaining member  145 - a  will prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off the proximal end  135 - a.    
     Similarly, the distal end  140 - a  of the shaft  125 - a  may include a distal end retaining member  150 - a  to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off the distal end  140 - a  of the shaft  125 - a . The distal end retaining member  150 - a  may include a slit  151 - a  cut into the distal end retaining member  150 - a . As described in relation to  FIG. 1 , the slit  151 - a  is configured to grasp a portion of string  120  to help prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off the distal end  140 - a . Additionally, the distal end retaining member  150 - a  may be flared to keep the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off the distal end  140 - a  of the shaft  125 - a . To remove the swallowable bundle  130  from the shaft  125 - a , a user must pull on the bundle  130  with sufficient force to remove the string  120  from slit  151 - a  and to stretch the string  120  over the flared portion of distal end retaining member  150 - a.    
       FIG. 3  illustrates another example of a packaging apparatus  110 - b  according to various aspects of the present disclosure configured to administer a swallowable cell collection device  105  to a patient. The packaging apparatus  110 - b  includes a shaft  125 - b  around which a string  120  (not shown) of a swallowable cell collection device  105  (not shown) may be wrapped into a swallowable bundle  130  (not shown). The packaging apparatus  110 - b  may be an example of a packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-2 . The shaft  125 - b  includes a proximal end  135 - b  and a distal end  140 - b . Each end may include a retaining member configured to prevent a swallowable bundle  130  of string  120  from sliding off either end of shaft  125 - b . For example, the proximal end retaining member  145 - b  may include a portion with a larger cross section than that of the shaft  125 - b . The larger cross section of proximal end retaining member  145 - b  will keep the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off the proximal end  135 - b.    
     The packaging apparatus  110 - b  may also include a distal end retaining member  150 - b  coupled with the distal end  140 - b  of the shaft  125 - b . Similar to the proximal end retaining member  145 - b , distal end retaining member  150 - b  is configured to prevent a swallowable bundle  130  of string  120  from sliding off the distal end  140 - b  when the cell collection device  105  is in a pre-deployed configuration. Distal end retaining member  150 - b  may have a larger cross section than that of shaft  125 - b  to help keep the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off the distal end  140 - b . Additionally, distal end retaining member  150 - b  may include a slit  151 - b  configured to grasp a portion of the retrieval string  120  of the swallowable cell collection device  105 . 
     In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the distal end retaining member  150 - b  may be configured to be removable from the shaft  125 - b . For example, the material and dimensions of the distal end retaining member  150 - b  may be chosen such that the distal end retaining member  150 - b  can be easily torn away from the shaft  125 - b . In some examples, a perforation  305  is included in the distal end  140 - b  of the shaft  125 - b  to facilitate the removal of the distal end retaining member  150 - b.    
     In other embodiments, the shape of the shaft  125  is configured to facilitate the formation and retention of a more compact swallowable bundle  130  of string  120  of the cell collection device  105 . For example,  FIG. 4  shows a packaging apparatus  110 - c  with a tapered shaft  125 - c . The packaging apparatus  110 - c  may be an example of packaging apparatuses  110  described with reference to any of  FIGS. 1-3 . The tapered shaft  125 - c  is configured to have a smaller cross section at the distal end  140 - c  of the shaft  125 - c  than that of the proximal end  135 - c . The tapered shaft  125 - c  facilitates the creation of a compact swallowable bundle  130  (not shown) of string  120  (not shown) by urging the bundle  130  towards the distal end  140 - c.    
     The packaging apparatus  110 - c  may also include a proximal end retaining member  145 - c  and a distal end retaining member  150 - c  configured to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  of string  120  from sliding off either end of the shaft  125 - c . Similar to the proximal end retaining members described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , proximal end retaining member  145 - c  includes a larger cross section than that of shaft  125 - c  to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off the proximal end  135 - c . Similar to the distal end retaining member  150 - b  described in connection with  FIG. 3 , distal end retaining member  150 - c  may be releasably attached to the distal end  140 - c  of shaft  125 - c . In some embodiments, the material and dimensions of distal end  140 - c  are configured to allow the distal end retaining member  150 - c  to be tom from shaft  125 - c . In certain aspects, a perforation  305 - a  is included in the distal end  140 - c  of shaft  125 - c  to facilitate removal of the distal end retaining member  150 - c . Furthermore, distal end retaining member  150 - c  may also include a slit  151 - c  configured to grasp a portion of the retrieval string  120 . 
     Any of the packaging apparatuses  110  describe in connection with  FIGS. 1-4  may be further configured to serve functions in addition to retaining a portion of the string  120  in a swallowable bundle  130  while the cell collection device  105  is in a pre-deployed configuration. For example, the packaging apparatus  110  may include one or more housing members to releasably retain the swallowable capsule  115  or the swallowable bundle  130  of string  120  or both. Additionally, the packaging apparatus  110  may be sized to prevent the retrieval string  120  of the cell collection device  105  from being lost down the esophagus of a patient. 
       FIG. 5A  shows an example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  500  in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The cell collection device assembly  500  may include a packaging apparatus  110 - d  coupled with a cell collection device  105 . The packaging apparatus  110 - d  may include a capsule housing  505  that is configured to releasably retain the swallowable capsule  115 . The capsule housing  505  may either partially or fully extend around a circumference of the swallowable capsule  115  and may be sized such that the swallowable capsule  115  snugly fits within the capsule housing  505 . Accordingly, the swallowable capsule  115  may be removed from the capsule housing  505  by sliding the swallowable capsule  115  out from underneath the capsule housing  505 . 
     Additionally, the packaging apparatus  110 - d  may include one or more bundling features around which a portion of the string  120  is wrapped to form a swallowable bundle  130 . For example, the packaging apparatus  110 - d  may include a shaft  125 - d  around which a portion of the string  120  may be wrapped. The shaft  125 - d  is configured to constrain the swallowable bundle  130  in a bundled configuration and to prevent the bundle  130  from sliding off the shaft  125 - d  while the cell collection device  105  is in a pre-deployed configuration. Similar to the shafts described in connection with  FIGS. 1-4 , the shaft  125 - d  may include a distal end retaining member  150 - d  that includes a slit  151 - d  configured to grasp a portion of string  120  to help keep the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off of shaft  125 - d.    
       FIG. 5B  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  500  in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The packaging apparatus  110 - d  may be an example of the packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-5 . The packaging apparatus  110 - d  may include a shaft  125 - d  around which a portion of string  120  may be wrapped to form a swallowable bundle  130 . The shaft  125 - d  may include a distal end retaining member  150 - e  configured to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off of shaft  125 - d . In some examples, the distal end retaining member  150 - e  is releasably attached to shaft  125 - d  similar to the distal end retaining members  150  described in connection with  FIGS. 3-4 . A perforation  305 - b  may be included on shaft  125 - d  to facilitate removal of the distal end retaining member  150 - e . Furthermore, distal end retaining member  150 - e  may include a slit  151 - e  configured to grasp a portion of string  120 . 
       FIG. 6  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  600  in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The cell collection device assembly  600  includes a packaging apparatus  110 - e  configured to facilitate the administration of a cell collection device  105  to a patient. The packaging apparatus  110 - e  may be an example of any packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-5 . The packaging apparatus  110 - e  may include a capsule housing  505  that is configured to releasably retain the swallowable capsule  115 . In addition, the packaging apparatus  110 - e  may include a wavy or curved shaft  125 - e  around which a portion of the string  120  may be wrapped to form a swallowable bundle  130 . The curved shaped of the shaft  125 - e  may be configured to facilitate easy removal of the swallowable bundle  130  from the shaft  125 - e . In addition, the curvature of the shaft  125 - e  may be configured to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off of the shaft  125 - e . Moreover, the shaft  125 - e  may include one or more retention features to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off of the shaft  125 - e  while the cell collection device  105  is in a pre-deployed configuration. 
       FIG. 7  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  700 ) in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The cell collection device assembly  700  includes a packaging apparatus  110 - f  configured to facilitate the administration of a cell collection device  105  to a patient. The packaging apparatus  110 - f  may be an example of any packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-6 . The packaging apparatus  110 - f  may include a capsule housing  505  that is configured to releasably retain a swallowable capsule  115 . The packaging apparatus  110 - f  may also include a U-shaped bundling feature  705  around which a portion of string  120  may be wrapped to form a swallowable bundle  130 . The U-shaped bundling feature  705  may include two shafts  125 - f  arranged in a horseshoe configuration. Each shaft  125 - f  may be an example of a shaft  125  discussed in previous embodiments and may include one or more retention features to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off of the U-shaped bundling feature  705 . The gap between the two shafts  125 - f  of the U-shaped bundling feature  705  may allow a user to easily grasp the swallowable bundle  130  between two fingers and then remove the bundle  130  from the U-shaped bundling feature  705 . 
       FIG. 8  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  800  in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The cell collection device assembly  800  includes a packaging apparatus  110 - g  configured to facilitate the administration of a cell collection device  105  to a patient. The packaging apparatus  110 - g  may be an example of any packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-7 . The packaging apparatus  110 - g  may include a capsule housing  505  that is configured to releasably retain the swallowable capsule  115 . The packaging apparatus  110 - g  may also include a bundling feature  805  around which a portion of string  120  may be wrapped to form a swallowable bundle  130 . The bundling feature  805  may include two shafts  125 - g  arranged in parallel with each other. The shafts  125 - g  may be an example of a shaft  125  described with reference to previous embodiments and may also include retention features to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off of the bundling feature  805  while the cell collection device  105  is in a pre-deployed configuration. The gap between the two shafts  125 - g  of the bundling feature  805  may allow a user to easily grasp the swallowable bundle  130  between two fingers and then remove the bundle  130  from the bundling feature  805 . 
       FIG. 9  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  900  in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The cell collection device assembly  900  includes a packaging apparatus  110 - h  configured to facilitate the administration of a cell collection device  105  to a patient. The packaging apparatus  110 - h  may be an example of any packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-8 . The packaging apparatus  110 - h  may include a capsule housing  505  that is configured to releasably retain the swallowable capsule  115 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the portion of the string  120  may be bundled around a portion of the packaging apparatus  110 - h  instead of a shaft, post, or similar bundling feature. For instance, a portion of the string  120  may be wrapped around a corner  905  of the packaging apparatus  110 - h  to form a swallowable bundle  130 . Such a configuration may reduce the number of individual features or elements that need to be manufactured on the packaging apparatus  110 - h.    
       FIG. 10  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  1000  in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The cell collection device assembly  1000  includes a packaging apparatus  110 - i  configured to facilitate the administration of a cell collection device  105  to a patient. The packaging apparatus  110 - i  may be an example of any packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-9 . The packaging apparatus  110 - i  may include a capsule housing  505  that is configured to releasably retain the swallowable capsule  115 . The packaging apparatus  110 - i  may also include a plurality of bundling features  1005  around which a portion of string  120  may be wrapped to form a swallowable bundle  130 . In some embodiments, the bundling features  1005  may include posts that extend orthogonal to the surface of the packaging apparatus  110 - i . The posts may be straight or slightly curved away from each other to more securely retain the swallowable bundle  130  while the cell collection device  105  is in a pre-deployed configuration. Moreover, in some embodiments, the bundling features  1005  may include other retention features similar to the shafts  125  discussed with reference to other embodiments that are configured to prevent the swallowable bundle  130  from sliding off of the free end of the bundling features  1005 . 
       FIG. 11A  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  1100  in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The cell collection device assembly  1100  includes a packaging apparatus  110 - j  configured to facilitate the administration of a cell collection device  105  to a patient. The packaging apparatus  110 - j  may be an example of any packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-10 . The packaging apparatus  110 - j  may include a capsule housing  505  that is configured to releasably retain the swallowable capsule  115 . In addition, the packaging apparatus  110 - j  may include a plurality of bundling features  1005 - a  around which a portion of string  120  may be wrapped to form a swallowable bundle  130 . For example, the bundling features  1005 - a  may be include a plurality of posts around which the string  120  may be wrapped to form the swallowable bundle  130 . The packaging apparatus  110 - j  may also include a scoring feature  1105  disposed on a surface of the packaging apparatus  110 - j  along which the packaging apparatus  110 - j  may bend or break when a bending force is applied to the packaging apparatus  110 - j.    
       FIG. 11B  shows the collection device assembly  1100  in a deployed configuration in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. As illustrated, a user may apply a bending force to the packaging apparatus  110 - j  until the packaging apparatus bends or breaks along the scoring feature  1105 . Once the packaging apparatus  110 - j  has been sufficiently bent, the user may remove the swallowable bundle  130  from the bundling features  1005 - a  and the swallowable capsule  115  from the capsule housing  505 . 
       FIG. 12  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  1200  in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The cell collection device assembly  1200  includes a packaging apparatus  110 - k  configured to facilitate the administration of a cell collection device  105  to a patient. The packaging apparatus  110 - k  may be an example of any packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-11 . The packaging apparatus  110 - k  may include a capsule housing  505 - a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the capsule housing  505 - a  may be configured to releasably retain both the swallowable capsule  115  and the swallowable bundle  130  while the cell collection device  105  is in a pre-deployed configuration. In such a configuration, the string  120  may be folded back onto itself several times to form a swallowable bundle  130 . The capsule housing  505 - a  may retain the swallowable bundle  130  in a bundled configuration by squeezing or sandwiching the swallowable bundle  130  between the swallowable capsule  115  and the capsule housing  505 - a  or another portion of the packaging apparatus  110 - k . Accordingly, given the close proximity of the swallowable bundle  130  and the swallowable capsule  115 , the capsule housing  505 - a  facilitates the simultaneous grasping and removal of both the swallowable capsule  115  and the swallowable bundle  130 . For example, a user may simultaneously grab both the swallowable capsule  115  and the swallowable bundle  130  between two fingers or with tweezers or any other suitable grasping member and place both the swallowable capsule  115  and the swallowable bundle  130  on the tongue of a patient. 
     The capsule housing  505 - a  may releasably retain the swallowable capsule  115  by partially surrounding the swallowable capsule  115 . For instance, the capsule housing  505 - a  may include one or more curved finger elements which extend partially around the swallowable capsule  115  thereby applying a force to retain the swallowable capsule  115  and the swallowable bundle  130  in a pre-deployed configuration. The fingers of the capsule housing  505 - a  may be elastic or malleable such that they bend as the swallowable capsule  115  is removed. In some embodiments, the capsule housing  505 - a  is made from the same material as the rest of the packaging apparatus  110 - k . However, in other embodiments, the capsule housing  505 - a  may be made from a different material and adhered or otherwise coupled with the packaging apparatus  110 - k . In some embodiments, the packaging apparatus  110 - k  may include a recessed portion in which the swallowable capsule  115  and the swallowable bundle  130  are partially nestled. 
       FIG. 13  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  1300  in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The cell collection device assembly  1300  includes a packaging apparatus  110 - l  configured to facilitate the administration of a cell collection device  105  to a patient. The packaging apparatus  110 - l  may be an example of any packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-12 . The packaging apparatus  110 - l  may also include a capsule housing  505 - b  configured to releasably retain both the swallowable cell collection device  115  and a swallowable bundle  130 . The capsule housing  505 - b  may include an enclosed dome-like structure where the swallowable bundle  130  may be housed. For instance, the string  120  may be bundled by wrapping the string  120  into a ball and placing the swallowable bundle  130  into the capsule housing  505 - b . The swallowable bundle  130  may be held in place by the swallowable capsule  115 . In this way, the swallowable bundle  130  may be maintained in a bundled form while stored in the packaging apparatus  110 - l . Upon removal of the swallowable capsule  115 , the user may grasp the swallowable bundle  130  using tweezers or similar grasping techniques. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a bundling material may be used to form and retain a portion of the string  120  of the cell collection device  105  into a swallowable bundle  130  without the use of a shaft  125  or other bundling feature or apparatus to wrap the string  120  around. Instead, the bundling material may wrap around the string  120  or adhere to the string  120  in such a way as to retain the string  120  in a swallowable bundle  130 . 
     For example,  FIG. 14  shows a string  120  of a cell collection device  105  (not shown) formed into a swallowable bundle  130  by a bundling material in the form of a band  1405 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the swallowable bundle  130  may be formed by looping or folding the string  120  back on itself several times. The swallowable bundle  130  may be secured near the center of the bundle  130  by the band  1405 . 
     In some embodiments, the band  1405  is configured to release the swallowable bundle  130  passively. Passively releasing the swallowable bundle  130  refers to a means where the user does not have to actively remove the bundling material from the swallowable bundle  130  by tearing, unwrapping, or the like. For example, the band  1405  may be made from a material that dissolves when it contacts a liquid such as saliva or swallowed water. Therefore, the band  1405  would passively release the swallowable bundle  130  after dissolving. In some embodiments, the band  1405  is made from one or more hydrophilic or water-soluble polymers. Furthermore, the physical characteristics of the band  1405  may be tailored such that the band  1405  dissolves in a desired amount of time when placed on the tongue of a patient. The dissolution time of the band  1405  may be further tailored by varying the material characteristics of the band material. For example, the band material may be configured to dissolve faster in the presence of warm water or a specific chemical solution that is swallowed by the patient immediately after placing the swallowable bundle  130  on the tongue of the patient as part of the swallowing of the device. Furthermore, the thickness can be varied to control dissolution rate. In certain examples, the thickness of the band  1405  may be 1.5 mils (0.0015 inches). However, the thickness may range from 1 mils (0.001 inches) to approximately 20 mils (0.020 inches). 
     The band  1405  may be made from natural or synthetic materials, and may be formed either as a single polymer or as a combination of two or more polymers. Pullulan, a polysaccharide often used in the manufacture of edible films for oral hygiene strips, is an example of a suitable material. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), or a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and maltodextrin are other examples of materials that could be used. In certain examples, the band  1405  can be formed into flat film strips by a solvent casting method then looped and joined into a band  1405  by either heating or adhering the ends of the flat film together. In other examples, the band  1405  may be formed as a complete band by casting onto a mandrel, or extruding the material into a tubular shape using a hot melt extrusion technique. 
     The composition of the band material may be manipulated to formulate a material with desired flexibility, strength, and brittleness. For example, plasticizer may be added to the formulation to improve flexibility and reduce the brittleness of the band material. Examples of suitable plasticizer excipients include glycerol, propylene glycol, low molecular weight polyethylene glycols, phthalate derivatives such as dimethyl, diethyl, and dibutyl phthalate, citrate derivatives such as tributyl, triethyl, acetyl citrate, triacetin and castor oil. Furthermore, stabilizing and thickening agents may be included in the formulation of the band material to improve the viscosity and consistency of dispersion or preparation solution or suspension before casting. 
     In certain embodiments, the bundling material may adhere to the retrieval string  120  to form the swallowable bundle  130  when the cell collection device  105  is in a pre-deployed configuration. For example, instead of the bundling material wrapping around the bundle  130  like a band  1405 , the bundling material may encase either a portion or the entire bundle  130  to constrain the string  120  in a swallowable configuration. The bundling material may be applied to the pre-formed swallowable bundle  130  by dipping the bundle  130  in the bundling material or by pouring the bundling material over the bundle  130  of string  120 . The swallowable bundle  130  may take the form of any of the configurations discussed above, such as a helical, folded, looped, and/or a ball configuration. Furthermore, the bundling material may be dissolvable and configured to release the string  120  from the swallowable bundle  130  by dissolving when placed in contact with liquid. Any suitable dissolvable material may be used, including any of the dissolvable materials discussed above in connection with  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 15A  shows another example of a band  1405 - a  configured to retain a string  120  of a cell collection device  105  (not shown) in a swallowable bundle  130  in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The band  1405 - a  may be configured to release the swallowable bundle  130  by an active process such as being torn, broken, or unwrapped. In certain examples, the band  1405 - a  is made from a material that can be easily torn or broken when pulled on by a user with a sufficient amount of force. For example, a low durometer polyurethane or silicone may be used such that the band  1405 - a  will stretch then break when pulled on. The thickness and chemical properties of the band material may be tailored to achieve a desired strength of the band  1405 - a . In certain embodiments, the band  1405 - a  may further include a pull tab  1505  to facilitate the grip and pulling of the band  1405 - a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 15B , in some aspects of the present disclosure, the band  1405 - b  may include a perforation or other intentional weakness such that the band  1405 - b  will break at a desired location under the desired amount of force or stress. For example, the band  1405 - b  may include a perforation  1510 . The band  1405 - b  may also include a pull tab  1505 - a  to facilitate the grip and tearing of the band  1405 - b  along the perforation  1510 . 
     In other embodiments, the band  1405  is configured to unwrap from around the swallowable bundle  130  without breaking or tearing. For example the band  1405  may be initially wrapped around the bundle  130  and secured to itself with an adhesive or other attachment means. When the band  1405  is pulled with sufficient force, the adhesive or other attachment means may break allowing the band  1405  to be unwrapped. Some embodiments include a pull tab  1505  to facilitate gripping and unwrapping the band  1405 , as shown in  FIG. 15A . 
       FIG. 16  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  1600  in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The cell collection device assembly  1600  includes a packaging apparatus  110 - m  configured to facilitate the administration of a cell collection device  105  to a patient. The packaging apparatus  110 - m  may be an example of any packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-13 . The packaging apparatus  110 - m  may also include a capsule housing  505  configured to releasably retain the swallowable capsule  115  of the cell collection device  105 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , any of the bands  1405  discussed with reference to  FIGS. 14-15  may be combined with a packaging apparatus  110  to retain the string  120  in a swallowable bundle  130  while the cell collection device  105  is in a pre-deployed configuration. For instance, the swallowable bundle  130  may be retained by a band  1405 - c  that is detached from the packaging apparatus  110 - m . The band  1405 - c  may be an example of any of the bands  1405  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 14-15 . 
       FIG. 17  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  1700  in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The cell collection device assembly  1700  includes a packaging apparatus  110 - n  configured to facilitate the administration of a cell collection device  105  to a patient. The packaging apparatus  110 - n  may be an example of any packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-13 and 16 . The packaging apparatus  110 - n  may include a capsule housing  505  that is configured to releasably retain the swallowable capsule  115 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the band  1405 - d  may be coupled with the packaging apparatus  110 - n . The band  1405 - d  may be an example of any of the bands  1405  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 13-14 . The band  1405 - d  may be configured such that when a user pulls on the bundle  130 , the band  1405 - d  unwraps, tears or otherwise breaks to release the swallowable bundle  130  from the band  1405 - d  while the band  1405 - d  remains attached to the packaging apparatus  110 - n . For example, the band  1405 - d  may include a perforation  1510 - a  or similar feature to facilitate the breaking or tearing of the band  1405 - d.    
       FIG. 18A  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  1800  in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The cell collection device assembly  1800  includes a packaging apparatus  110 - o  configured to facilitate the administration of a cell collection device  105  to a patient. The packaging apparatus  110 - o  may be an example of any packaging apparatus  110  described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-13 and 16-17 . Similar to the embodiment described with reference to  FIG. 12 , the packaging apparatus  110 - o  may include a capsule housing  505 - a  that is configured to releasably retain both a swallowable capsule  115  and a swallowable bundle  130 . In addition to being sandwiched between the swallowable capsule  115  and the capsule housing  505 - a , the swallowable bundle  130  may be confined to a bundled configuration with a band  1405 - e . The band  1405 - e  may be an example of any band  1405  described with reference to  FIGS. 14-17 . In such a configuration, a user may simultaneously grasp the swallowable capsule  115  and the swallowable bundle  130  and remove them from the capsule housing  505 - a . Then, depending on the type of band  1405 - e  used, the user may break the band  1405 - e  to release the swallowable bundle  130  prior to placing it on the patient&#39;s tongue, or the band  1405 - e  may be configured to dissolve after being placed on the patient&#39;s tongue. 
       FIG. 18B  shows another example of a packaged cell collection device assembly  1800  described with reference to  FIG. 18A . However, in this embodiment, a band  1405 - f  is configured to wrap around both the swallowable bundle  130  and the swallowable capsule  115 . The band  1405 - f  may be an example of any band  1405  described with reference to  FIGS. 14-18A . Accordingly, a user may simultaneously grasp both the swallowable bundle  130  and the swallowable capsule  115  and remove them from the capsule housing  505 - a . Then, depending on the type of band  1405 - f  used, the user may break the band  1405 - f  to release the swallowable bundle  130  prior to placing it on the patient&#39;s tongue, or the band  1405 - f  may be configured to dissolve after being placed on the patient&#39;s tongue. 
     Methods for administering a cell collection device  105  to a patient using a packaging apparatus  110  are now described.  FIG. 19  shows a flowchart of a method  1900  for administering a swallowable cell collection device  105  to a patient in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method  1900  is described with reference to aspects of one or more apparatuses described in connection with the previous figures. 
     At block  1905 , a user provides a packaging apparatus  110  with a swallowable cell collection device  105 . The swallowable capsule  115  of the cell collection device  105  is releasably retained in a capsule housing  505 . Moreover, a portion of retrieval string  120  is releasably retained in a swallowable bundle  130  by one or more bundling features or bundling materials. 
     At block  1910 , the user removes the swallowable bundle  130  from the one or more bundling features or bundling materials. In certain embodiments, the one or more bundling features are one or more shafts  125 , corners  905 , or posts  1005  around which the swallowable bundle  130  is wrapped, as is described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-11 . In accordance with these embodiments, removing the swallowable bundle  130  from the bundling features may include sliding the swallowable bundle  130  of off the bundling feature such as from the distal end of the shaft  125 . Removing the swallowable bundle  130  may additionally include removing a distal end retaining member  150  or removing a portion of the retrieval string  120  from a slit  151  in the distal end retaining member  150  before sliding the swallowable bundle  130  from the shaft  125  as is described in connection with any of  FIGS. 1-8 . In some embodiments, the bundling features includes a capsule housing  505 - a  that retains the swallowable bundle  130  by sandwiching the swallowable bundle  130  between a swallowable capsule  115  and the capsule housing  505 - a  as described with reference to  FIGS. 12 and 18 . In such embodiments, removing the swallowable bundle  130  from the one or more bundling features may include removing both the swallowable capsule  115  and the swallowable bundling  130  from the capsule housing  505 - a.    
     In yet other embodiments of the present disclosure, the swallowable bundle  130  is releasably retained by a bundling material such as a band  1405 , as is described in connection with any of  FIGS. 14-18 . In accordance with these embodiments, removing the swallowable bundle  130  from the bundling material may include tearing and/or unwrapping the band  1405  from around the swallowable bundle  130 . In certain examples, tearing and/or unwrapping the band  1405  may include pulling on a pull tab  1505  of the band  1405  as is described in connection with  FIG. 15 . Furthermore, tearing the band  1405  may be facilitated by a perforation  1510  or other weakness included in the band  1405  as is described in connection with  FIGS. 15 and 17 . 
     Regardless of the type of bundling feature or material or the method for releasing the swallowable bundle  130  from the bundling feature, the user maintains the string  120  in a swallowable bundle  130  while releasing the swallowable bundle  130  from the bundling features or materials. Accordingly, there is no need to rewrap or re-bundle the string  120  into a swallowable bundle  130 . The user may retain the swallowable bundle  130  in a swallowable configuration by grasping the swallowable bundle  130  between two fingers, such as the index finger and thumb, or any other suitable grasping device such as tweezers. 
     At block  1915 , the user places the swallowable bundle  130  on the tongue of a patient. The swallowable bundle  130  may be placed on the tongue with the fingers of the user or with tweezers or any other suitable grasping device. In certain examples, the swallowable bundle  130  is placed on the tongue contemporaneously with the swallowable capsule  115 . 
       FIG. 20  shows a flowchart of a method  2000  for administering a swallowable cell collection device  105  to a patient in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. At block  2005 , a retrieval string  120  of a cell collection device  105  is constrained in a swallowable bundle  130  with a dissolvable band  1405 . The dissolvable band  1405  may be an example of any of the bands  1405  described in connection with  FIGS. 14-18 . 
     At block  2010 , the user places the swallowable bundle  130  on the tongue of the patient. The dissolvable band  1405  then dissolves on the tongue of the patient and releases the string  120  from the swallowable bundle  130  as the swallowable bundle  130  is being swallowed. The swallowable bundle  130  may be placed on the tongue of a patient with the fingers of the user or with tweezers or any other suitable grasping device. In some embodiments, the swallowable bundle  130  is placed on the tongue contemporaneously with the swallowable capsule  115 . 
     The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Throughout this disclosure the term “example” or “exemplary” indicates an example or instance and does not imply or require any preference for the noted example. Thus, the disclosure is not to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.