GESCHÜTZTES BÜRSTENSYSTEM ZUR MIKROBIOLOGISCHEN PROBEENTNAHME

摘要

A protected microbiological sampling brush assembly includes a sampling brush mounted on the distal end of a control wire, an inner catheter which houses the brush, an outer catheter which houses the inner catheter, and an elastomeric tip which is rigidly attached to the distal end of the outer catheter and which has a weakened end. The proximal ends of the control wire and catheters are coupled to a handle for independently moving the control wire, the inner catheter, and the outer catheter relative to each other. The weakened end of the elastomeric tip is preferably a slit which defines lips which are parted when the distal end of the inner catheter is moved distally against the elastomeric tip to allow the inner catheter to pass therethrough. When the inner catheter is moved proximally relative to the outer catheter, the lips of the elastomeric tip close to protect the inner catheter (and the sampling brush) from contamination. Easy to use handles which are attached to the proximal ends of the control wire, the inner catheter, and the outer catheter are disclosed.