Patent ID: 8070691

Claim:
A cytology device, comprising: a helically coiled cable comprising torsional rigidity sufficient to transfer rotational motion from a proximal portion of the cable to a distal portion of the cable, the distal portion adapted to be introduced into a body lumen, the proximal portion adapted to remain outside of the lumen so as to allow manipulation of the distal portion; a cylindrical-shaped scraper element operably connected to the distal portion, the scraper element comprising an opening disposed in an exterior surface thereof, the opening being proximal of and spaced apart from a distal end of the scraper element, the opening bounded by a pair of longitudinally oriented edges and a pair of circumferentially oriented edges, at least one of the pair of longitudinally oriented edges comprising a cutting edge configured to excise tissue cells upon rotational movement of the scraper element; and a reservoir adapted to receive the excised tissue, the reservoir being disposed within the scraper element and adjacent to the at least one cutting edge, the reservoir having a longitudinal length that is greater than a longitudinal length of the opening and extends distally of the opening.