WO2006065006A1

WO2006065006A1 - Device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell

Info

Publication number: WO2006065006A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/001031
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nam-Han Cho; Kyung-Ryul Lee
Original assignee: Biocore Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-04-08
Filing date: 2005-04-08
Publication date: 2006-06-22
Also published as: KR100571548B1; KR20050099111A

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell of a woman, which includes a hollow outer tube capable of being inserted into an interior of a vagina of a woman and having a hollow inner space; a hollow inner tube inserted into the hollow space formed in the outer tube and having a hollow inner space; and a rod member mounted in the inner tube to be capable of moving back and forth and having at one end a picking portion for picking the cervix uterine cell. Unlike the conventional picking devices, this device may be used for self-picking the cervix uterine cell and does not need any separate device such as a speculum to pick the cervix uterine cell.

Description

DEVICE FOR SELF-PICKING A CERVIX UTERINE CELL

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell, and more specifically a device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell that allows a patient to self-pick a cervix uterine cell without using a separate device, unlike the conventional picking devices requiring separate devices such as a speculum in order to pick the cervix uterine cell. Background Art

[2] Generally, the cervix cancer is known to be one of the highest female cancers in

Korea, in which at least 5,000 patients suffer from the disease every year. It has been known that all patients undergo a stage of a precancerous lesion prior to metastasizing to the cervix cancer, and therefore it is most important to diagnose the precancerous lesion at the early stage because the precancerous lesion may be completely cured when it is found in the early stage.

[3] Accordingly, a Pap smear has been carried out using various devices for such early diagnosis. The examples of the devices include a swab, a cyto-brush etc., which must be inserted into the interior of the female vagina to carry out the Pap smear.

[4] Among the devices, it is the swab that has been generally used in the Pap smear.

Use of the swab has an advantage of reducing the cost required to pick the cell, but it also has disadvantages that a collected amount of a specimen is insufficient for the tissue examination, or it may be unhygienic to use the swab since a bit of cottonwool constituting the swab remains within the vagina.

[5] Also among the devices, the cyto-brush has a problem that there may be a significant difference of an appropriate specimen and its required amount obtained depends on an ability of the picker to pick the cervix uterine cell.

[6] Also if the Pap smear was carried out using the swab and cyto-brush, the patient in question must need a help of the other pickers in order to pick the cell and the separate devices such as a speculum must be used to secure a vision of the picker and a passage of the tool. In the case of such Pap smear, women may feel a sense of shame because they are obliged to show their own secret portions to the pickers.

[7] When the cervix uterine cell picked by the device was pulled out from the vagina, there remain still problems of doing a wrong diagnosis and re-picking the specimen since the specimen exposed to the outer environment may be contaminated by the other secretions present in the interior of the vagina. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell, whereby the patient in question himself may directly pick a large quantity of uncontaminated cervix uterine cell.

[9] In addition, it is another object of the present invention to providedevice for self- picking a cervix uterine cell, which may be used to pick the cervix uterine cell without using separate devices such as a speculum required to pick the cervix uterine cell. Technical Solution

[10] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell, which includes a hollow outer tube capable of being inserted into an interior of a vagina of a woman and having a hollow inner space; a hollow inner tube inserted into the hollow space formed in the outer tube and having a hollow smaller space; and a rod member mounted in the inner tube to be capable of moving back and forth and comprising in one end a picking portion for picking the cervix uterine cell.

[11] Preferably, the outer tube has a conoid structure whose outer diameter becomes thinner in one direction to facilitate insertion of the outer tube into the interior of the vagina.

[12] Preferably, the inner tube includes at one side surface a flange portion that has a larger outer diameter than that of an inlet of the vagina so that the inner tube may be not inserted into the interior of the vagina beyond a predetermined depth.

[13] In the device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell according to the present invention, the picking portion includes a protrusion which has an inclined angle in one direction, and further includes the hollow space extended from a lower end of the protrusion.

[14] Also, the rod member includes at one side a guide member, on an outer circumference of which a predetermined depth is formed, in order to guide movement in the inner tube.

[15] Preferably, the rod member further includes a doughnut-type O-ring engaged in the groove of the guide portion in order to guide the rod member more smoothly.

[16] Additionally, the rod member further includes a handle at the other end of the picking portion for a user to make a grip easily.

[17] Preferably, the inner tube further includes a clamping stopper for fixing the rod member selectively in order to place it in the inner tube. Advantageous Effects

[18] Referring to the devices for self-picking a cervix uterine cell of the present invention as described above, the conventional devices required a help of other pickers rather than the patient in question, and separate devices such as a speculum in order to pick the cervix uterine cell. However since the device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell according to the present invention does not requires a help of other pickers rather than the patient in question, or the separate devices such as a speculum in order to pick the cervix uterine cell, it may have advantageous effects of removing the sense of shame experienced when women are obliged to show their own secret portions to other pickers and obtaining a sufficient quantity of the specimen required to go through a tissue examination whether she is skilled or unskilled in the art. Brief Description of the Drawings

[19] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more fully described in the following detailed description, taken accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[20] FlG. 1 is a perspective view showing a device for self-picking the cervix uterine cell according to the present invention;

[21] FlG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FlG. 1 ;

[22] FlG. 3 is a cross sectional view along the line 111-111;

[23] FlG. 4 shows that the device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell according to the present invention remains inserted into the interior of the vagina; and

[24] FlG. 5 shows that the device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell according to the present invention remains inserted into the cervix uterine. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[25] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the terms used should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings but based on the meanings and concepts of the invention on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to appropriate define terms for the best explanation. Therefore, the descriptionherein the scope of the inventiont be understood that other and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[26] FlG. 1 is a perspective view showing a device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell according to the present invention, FlG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FlG. 1, and FlG. 3 is a cross sectional view along the line 111-111.

[27] Referring to drawings, the device 100 for self-picking a cervix uterine cell according to the present invention includes a hollow outer tube 10 capable of being inserted into an interior of a vagina 40 (see FlGs. 4 and 5) of a woman and having a hollow inner space; a hollow inner tube 20 inserted into the hollow space formed in the outer tube 10 and having a hollow inner space; and a rod member 30 mounted in the inner tube 20 to be capable of moving back and forth and having at one end a picking portion 32 for picking the cervix uterine cell.

[28] The outer tube 10 is provided to secure the inner passage of the vagina 40 so that the picking portion 32 can reach the cervix uterine 42 (see FlGs. 4 and 5), and has a conoid structure whose outer diameter becomes smaller in one direction to facilitate insertion into the interior of the vagina. However, the present invention is not limited to the conoid structure, but various modifications such as a cylindrical shape may be adapted if they may be inserted into the vagina 40.

[29] On the other hand, the outer tube 10 includes a hollow inner space so that the inner tube 20 as described later may be inserted thereinto, and a coupling groove 12 is formed in one end of the inner peripheral surface in order to couple it with the inner tube 20.

[30] Additionally, women's vaginas generally have an average length of 7 to 10 cm (+2 to 3 cm) and a diameter of the cervix uterine has a mean deviation of about 2 to 3 cm. Accordingly, the outer tube 10 must preferably have a length of about 7 cm so that the picking portion 32 in direct contact with the cervix uterine 42 can precisely reach the cervix uterine 42.

[31] Also, the outer tube 10 is preferably made of soft PVC material in general, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, materials such as addition-type liquid silicone (i.e., liquid silicone rubber), ABS resin (i.e., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer) etc. may be used selectively.

[32] The inner tube 20 is provided to prevent contamination by the secretions of cells other than the cervix uterine cell 42 in the picking portion 32 in direct contact with the cells when the cervix uterine cell is picked out. The inner tube 20 has the hollow inner space in order to secure the passage of the rod member 30 as described later, and has a cylindrical structure in order to engage with the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 10.

[33] Preferably, the inner tube 20 includes at one end of a peripheral surface the coupling protrusion 24 engaged with the coupling groove 12 formed in the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 10 in order to be coupled with the outer tube 10.

[34] Additionally, the inner tube 20 integrally includes at one side a flange portion 22 that has a larger outer diameter than that of an inlet of the vagina 40 so that the inner tube 20 may be not inserted into the interior of women's vagina 40 beyond a predetermined depth.

[35] Also, the flange portion 22 may be not provided in the inner tube 20, but formed integrally with the outer tube 10. If necessary, the flange portion 22 may be not adapted in the outer tube 10.

[36] Preferably, the inner tube 20 includes the clamping stopper 26 provided with a hollow inner space that has a larger diameter than a body 32 of the rod member 30 and a smaller diameter than the handle 38 of the rod member 30 as described later, in order to place the rod member 30 in the interior of the inner tube 20 and then to selectively fix it.

[37] Meanwhile, the inner tube 20 and the clamping stopper 26 are preferably made of, but are not limited to, the soft PVC material, and materials such as LSR or ABS may also be used selectively.

[38] The rod member 30 is directly inserted into the cervix uterine 42 in order to pick the cervix uterine cell. The rod member 30 is mounted in the inner tube 20 to be capable of moving back and forth and includes at the one end the picking portion 32 in direct contact with the cervix uterine cell.

[39] The picking portion 32 has a protrusion 31a in order to pick the cervix uterine cell with an inclined angle in one direction. The picking portion 32 preferably has a hollow space 31b extended from a lower end of the protrusion 31a in order to obtain a larger quantity of the specimen. Also the number of the protrusions 31a is 4 pairs in this embodiment, but the number is not limited thereto if a sufficient amount of the specimen is ensured.

[40] Also, the picking portion 32 further includes a handle 38 in the other end for a user to make a grip more easily. Though one end of the rod member 30 is fitted into the handle 38, the present invention is not limited thereto, but there may also be used various modification such as screwing.

[41] Meanwhile, the rod member 30 includes a guide portion 34 at one end of the body in order to move within the inner tube 20.

[42] Preferably, the guide portion 34 forms around its periphery a groove 35 with a predetermined depth in order to facilitate the back and forth movement of the rod member 30, and further includes a doughnut-type O-ring 36 in order to engage in the groove.

[43] Meanwhile, the rod member 30 is preferably integrally formed of the picking portion, the body 32 and the guide portion 34.

[44] Also, the rod member 30 is preferably made of, but is not limited to, soft PVC material, and materials such as LSR or ABS may be used selectively.

[45] Additionally, the O-ring 36 is preferably made of, but is not limited to, soft PVC material, and materials such as LSR or a general rubber (the rubber used in a syringe) may be used selectively.

[46] Now, operation of the device 100 for self-picking a cervix uterine cell according to the present invention is described as follows.

[47] FlG. 4 shows that the device 100 for self-picking a cervix uterine cell according to the present invention remains inserted into the interior of the vagina 40, and FlG. 5 shows that the device 100 for self-picking a cervix uterine cell according to the present invention remains inserted into the cervix uterine 42. [48] Referring to the drawings, the present invention requires a preparatory insertion step for placing the device 100 for self-picking a cervix uterine cell according to the present invention in the inlet of the vagina 40 in order to pick the cervix uterine cell.

[49] At this time, it is prepared to place the picking portion 32 in the interior of the inner tube 20 fitted in the outer tubelO by pulling back the rod member 30. For this purpose, the user grips the handle 38 provided in the rod member 30, and moves the rod member 30 in the opposite direction of the picking portion 32.

[50] By doing so, the picking portion 32, which remains in direct contact with the cervix uterine cell, may reach the cervix uterine 42 without contacting with the secretions and other foreign materials present in the interior of the vagina 40.

[51] Meanwhile, if the previous stage is prepared, the user grips the flange portion 22 formed on the inner tube 20 and inserts the outer tube 10 into the interior of the vagina 40. At this time, the flange portion 22 of the outer tube 10 is caught in the inlet of the vagina 40 because the outer tube 10 includes the flange portion 22 having a larger outer diameter than that of the vagina, therefore the device 100 for self-picking a cervix uterine cell according to the present invention may not be inserted into the interior of the vagina 40 beyond a predetermined depth.

[52] And then, the user grips the handle 38, and then inserts into the cervix uterine 42 the picking portion 32, provided at one end of the rod member 30, through the secured passage of the inner tube 10 and the outer tube 11 inserted into the interior of the vagina 40.

[53] Subsequently, the cervix uterine cell is picked by the protrusion 31a formed on the picking portion 32 by moving the rod member 30 back and forth.

[54] By doing so, the user may obtain a desired large quantity of the cervix uterine cell required to go through the tissue examination, and also pick the cervix uterine cell without contamination by other secretions present in the interior of the vagina 40.

[55] As been described above, the present invention has been described in detail.

However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Industrial Applicability

[56] According to the device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell of the present invention, the picking portion may be more precisely inserted into the cervix uterine even by an unskilled person because the device is provided with the outer and inner tubes formed based on average depth of women's vaginas. In addition, the cervix uterine cell may be picked in a sufficient quantity required to go through the tissue examination, and the contamination by other secretions of cells other than the cervix uterine cell may be prevented due to the secured passage through the interior of the vagina.

[57] In addition, because the device may used for self-picking a cervix uterine cell without requiring other pickers rather than the patient in question and the separate devices such as a speculum, the device according to the present invention may be useful to remove a sense of shame experienced by women and to reduce the cost.

Claims

[1] A device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell, comprising: a hollow outer tube capable of being inserted into an interior of a vagina of a woman and having a hollow inner space; a hollow inner tube inserted into the hollow space formed in the outer tube and having a hollow inner space; and a rod member mounted in the inner tube to be capable of moving back and forth and having at one end a picking portion for picking a cervix uterine cell.

[2] The device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer tube has a cone shape whose outer diameter becomes smaller in one direction to facilitate insertion of the outer tube into the interior of the vagina.

[3] The device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner tube has at one side surface a flange portion which has a larger outer diameter than that of an inlet of the vagina so that the inner tube is not inserted into the interior of the vagina beyond a predetermined depth.

[4] The device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell as claimed in claim 1, wherein the picking portion has a protrusion which has an inclined angle in one direction, and a hollow space extended from a lower end of the protrusion.

[5] The device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rod member includes a handle at the other end of the picking portion for a user to make a grip.

[6] The device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rod member includes at one side a guide member, on an outer circumference of which a groove with a predetermined depth is formed, in order to guide movement in the inner tube and further includes a O-ring engaged in the groove.

[7] The device for self-picking a cervix uterine cell as claimed in any of claims 1 to

6, wherein the inner tube includes a clamping stopper for fixing the rod member selectively in order to place the rod member in the inner tube.