BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS CYTOLOGY DEVICE

摘要

A method and apparatus for obtaining esophageal cells for diagnostic purposes comprises inserting the distal end of a flexible support body (12) in a patient's stomach via the esophagus and mouth so that the proximal support body end projects from the mouth. A balloon (40) at the distal support body end is inflated and the support body is withdrawn until the inflated balloon engages the sphincter at the stomach entrance. A support body location is marked that is a predetermined distance from the patient's dental arch when the inflated balloon engages the sphincter at the stomach entrance. The balloon is deflated and the support body is withdrawn so that the marked locatin is adjacent the patient's dental arch. The support body is withdrawn a second predetermined distance and a second support body location, adjacent the patient's dental arch, is marked. A cell collecting element is deployed from within the distal end of the support body so that the cell collecting element (890) is disposed in the esophagus within the predetermined distance from the sphincter. The support body is reciprocated through the second predetermined distance with the cell collecting element deployed so that cells from the esophagus within the second predetermined distance from the sphincter are deposited on the cell collecting element. The cell collecting element is retracted into the body so that it does not engage the esophagus wall, and the body is withdrawn from the patient.