Methods and systems for medical home testing

1. An apparatus comprising: a case member having a first distal end portion and a first proximal end portion, the first distal end portion having a distal opening, and the first proximal end portion having an aperture; a plunger member sized and configured for sliding through the aperture, the plunger member having a second distal end portion configured to slide within the case member; an accumulator member disposed in the case member adjacent the plunger member, the accumulator member being compressed by the case member and configured for sliding through the distal opening as the plunger member slides through the aperture to enable expansion of the accumulator member and placement of the accumulator member within a vaginal cavity and proximal to a cervix of a patient, the accumulator member comprising absorbent material, a third distal end portion including a frusto-conical shaped tip section, and a third tip section having a collection substrate at the third distal end portion to enable collection of cells in multiple zones during regular activity of the patient while accumulator member is in the vaginal cavity without active scraping by external manipulation of the accumulator member, wherein the frusto-conical shaped tip section of the third distal end portion maintains the frusto-conical shape when positioned in the case member and outside the case member; and a flexible handle member attached to the accumulator member and extending through the plunger member to remove the accumulator member from the vaginal cavity after the collection of the cells, wherein the third tip section of the accumulator member emerges from the frusto-conical shaped tip section and a part of the accumulator is retained in the case member by the frusto-conical shaped tip section when the accumulator is engaged by the plunger member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the collection substrate includes a layer with collection apertures, microbristles, granulation, or combinations thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the collection substrate includes a solution for preserving the cells after collection.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the accumulator member includes an extension extending from the third distal end portion to provide stabilization of the accumulator member while within the vaginal cavity.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the extension has a wing-like shape.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the extension extends annularly around the third distal end portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first distal end portion includes a frusto-conical shaped tip section, wherein the third tip section of the accumulator member includes a first part that emerges from the frusto-conical shaped tip section and is a second part that is retained in the case member by the frusto-conical shaped tip section when the accumulator is engaged by the plunger member.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first distal end portion is rigid.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the accumulator member further includes a flexible body portion that is cylindrically shaped and tapered with a smaller diameter at a third proximal end portion than the diameter at the third distal end portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the flexible body portion of the accumulator member is of a different material type than the collection substrate, and the collection of cells occurs in the multiple zones via the flexible body portion and the collection substrate.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first distal end portion is rigid.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the case member is rigid and includes a lubricant that covers an exterior portion of the case member and wherein the case member includes a polymer and is adapted to extend a length of the vaginal cavity, and

wherein the accumulator member includes cotton, cellulose, synthetic sponge material, or combinations thereof and includes a third distal end portion and a third tip section having a collection substrate at the third distal end portion, and the collection substrate including a polycarbonate layer having biologically inert mixed esters of cellulose.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the case member and the plunger member are separated from the accumulator member after placement of the accumulator member within the vaginal cavity.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plunger member includes a second distal end portion and a second proximal end portion, the second distal end portion including a second tip section disposed within the case member, and the second tip section including an outwardly extending annual flange that has a diameter larger than a diameter of the aperture.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the collection substrate includes a layer having a plurality of collection apertures providing a passage for cell collection at an absorptive layer of the collection substrate located underneath the plurality of apertures.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the case member is substantially rigid and includes a lubricant that covers an exterior portion of the case member.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the case member is comprised of plastic polymers and is adapted to extend a length of the vaginal cavity, the accumulator member is comprised of cotton, cellulose, synthetic sponge material, or combinations thereof and including a third distal end portion and a third tip section having a collection substrate at the third distal end portion, and the collection substrate includes a polycarbonate layer having biologically inert mixed esters of cellulose.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the accumulator member is the same length as an inner cavity of the case member.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the case member includes a sleeve portion intermediate the first distal end portion and the first proximal end portion and an end wall at the first proximal end portion, and the end wall forms the aperture which is smaller than sleeve portion.

20. A method comprising: sliding an accumulator member being disposed in a case member adjacent a plunger member through a distal opening of the case member as the plunger member slides through an aperture to enable expansion of the accumulator member and placement of the accumulator member within a vaginal cavity and proximal to a cervix of a patient, the case member having a first distal end portion and a first proximal end portion, the first distal end portion having the distal opening, the first proximal end portion having the aperture, the plunger member having a second distal end portion configured to slide within the case member, the accumulator member comprising absorbent material, a third distal end portion including a frusto-conical shaped tip section, and a third tip section having a collection substrate at the third distal end portion to enable collection of cells in multiple zones during regular activity of the patient while accumulator member is in the vaginal cavity without active scraping, wherein the frusto-conical shaped tip section of the third distal end portion maintains the frusto-conical shape when positioned in the case member and outside the case member a flexible handle member being attached to the accumulator member and extending through the plunger member, the third tip section of the accumulator member including a first part emerging from the frusto-conical shaped tip section and a second part being retained in the case member by the frusto-conical shaped tip section when engaged by the plunger member; removing the accumulator member from the vaginal cavity via the flexible handle; preserving the cells in a collection receptacle; and shipping the cells in the collection receptacle.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein preserving comprises:

exposing the cells to a preservation fluid after collection.