| 摘要 |
This invention is taking a bodily sample from deep within the body of a patient and collecting the sample outside the body to facilitate treatment of the patient. A sampling probe is provided in the form of an elongate catheter (4) having a proximal portion that remains outside the body and a distal portion that can be located within the body. The distal portion includes a membrane (16) with openings (18) that communicate with space (19) that communicates with a source of suction force (22). The catheter (4) is positioned within the body. The sample is taken by exposing the membrane (16) by placing it in proximity with a desired location so that the bodily sample is received by the membrane (16). The catheter (4) is removed from the patient and the sample is collected outside the body. |
