Cytology balloon

摘要

A medical device for collecting cells includes an inflatable balloon and a perforated sleeve surrounding the balloon. The sleeve includes a plurality of openings therein for collecting cells when inserted into a body cavity. The balloon and sleeve can be housed in a sheath in a compressed delivery condition for being delivered to a target site for cell collection. The balloon and sleeve can then be inflated to expand into contact with the target site. The openings in the sleeve create a mildly abrasive surface for enhancing cell collection while limiting patient trauma. The balloon and sleeve can be reciprocated back and forth to collect cells from the surface of the body cavity. The balloon and sleeve having the collected cells can then be deflated and retracted from the body cavity.

主权项

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.