BODILY SAMPLE COLLECTION

摘要

This invention is treating a patient by collecting 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 (2) 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 balloon (8) with polymer (16) thereon capable of recieving a substantial amount of bodily sample.