CYTOLOGY SAMPLING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF UTILIZING THE SAME

摘要

A cytology sampling system includes a catheter tube and a cytology tool. The catheter tube has open proximal and distal ends. The cytology tool is insertable through the catheter tube and includes a flexible shaft, a brush, and a position sensor. The flexible shaft defines proximal and distal ends thereof. The brush is coupled to the distal end of the flexible shaft. The brush includes a plurality of brush shafts. Each brush shaft has bristles disposed along a portion of a length thereof. The bristles are coupled to and extend radially away from an outer surface of each of the brush shafts. The bristles are configured to collect cell samples from targeted tissue of a patient. The position sensor provides an indication of the location of the position sensor within a luminal structure. The system may include a positioning assembly for placing the distal end of the catheter tube adjacent the target tissue.

主权项

1. A cytology tool comprising:
a flexible shaft defining proximal and distal ends; a brush coupled to the distal end of the flexible shaft, the brush having a plurality of brush shafts, each of the plurality of brush shafts having bristles along a portion of a length thereof, the bristles coupled to and radially extending away from an outer surface of each of the plurality of brush shafts, a distal end of each of the plurality of brush shafts is biased away from the distal ends of each of the other brush shafts; and a position sensor configured to provide an indication of the location of the position sensor within a luminal structure.