Patent ID: 7087063

Claim:
An abrasion device for sampling small amounts of epidermal cells from a skin surface of an individual, comprising: an actuator device comprising a central shaft having a proximal end and a distal end conjoined with a handle device having a handle extending therefrom; said central shaft having a central opening therein extending from said proximal end to said distal end; a probe capable of being disposed centrally and releasably within said central opening of said actuator device; said probe comprising a cylindrical rod having a distal end and terminating in an abrasive surface at a cross-sectional proximal end thereof; said abrasive surface being appropriately textured and having a small cross-sectional diameter for abrasion and harvesting of said epidermal cells; a cylindrical positioning sleeve comprising a cylindrical rod having a central opening therein of a larger diameter than said central shaft; said cylindrical rod having a proximal end and a distal end, a threaded surface extending from a selected position on said cylindrical rod and terminating at distal end, said positioning sleeve further comprising a first locking ring adjustably positioned along threaded surface and a second locking ring adjustably positioned from said distal end to adjacent said first locking ring; a knurled disc positioned co-axially with said shaft, said knurled disc having a threaded opening centrally disposed therein; and a threaded cylindrical driver rod in screw cooperation with said knurled disc; wherein said positioning sleeve is releasably and adjustably positioned over said actuator device so that a desired length of said probe extends therefrom.