US 12,262,879 B2
Device for biological cell collection and method of use
Amitabh Chak, Cleveland, OH (US); Sanford Markowitz, Cleveland, OH (US); Dennis Siedlak, Cleveland, OH (US); Joseph Willis, Cleveland, OH (US); Lishan Aklog, Purchase, NY (US); Michael Boutillette, San Francisco, CA (US); and Richard Yazbeck, Norwell, MA (US)
Assigned to Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed by Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed on Jun. 16, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/902,579.
Prior Publication US 2021/0386410 A1, Dec. 16, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 10/02 (2006.01); A61B 10/04 (2006.01); A61M 25/10 (2013.01)
CPC A61B 10/0283 (2013.01) [A61B 10/04 (2013.01); A61M 25/10182 (2013.11); A61M 25/1025 (2013.01); A61M 25/1038 (2013.01); A61B 2010/0216 (2013.01); A61M 2025/1086 (2013.01); A61M 2025/1088 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for collecting a biological sample in a subject, the device comprising:
a tubular member along which fluid can be directed;
a collection mechanism having (a) a proximal portion attached to a distal end of the tubular member, (b) a distal inflatable portion designed (i) to extend distally from within the proximal portion and expand when inflated and (ii) to retract within the proximal portion, (c) a wall of the distal inflatable portion provided with different durometer levels along its length such that the distal inflatable portion has a lower durometer than the proximal portion and (d) a plurality of circumferential geometric features radially extending from an outer surface of the collection mechanism, the plurality of circumferential geometric features defining varied thickness of the collection mechanism, to facilitate a combination of inflation, expansion, deflation, and retraction of the distal inflatable portion, in connection with movement of the distal inflatable portion between an expanded state and a retracted state;
a plurality of projections on a surface of the wall to allow collection of the biological sample when the distal inflatable portion is in the expanded state; and
a weight connected to the proximal portion to facilitate swallowing the collection mechanism.