Method and apparatus for simultaneously collecting exocervical and endocervical samples

1. A combination exo-endocervical sampling device comprising:

a shaft that includes a first end opposite a second end; and

a combination exo-endocervical sampler configured to simultaneously collect endocervical cells and exocervical cells, the combination exo-endocervical sampler coupled to the second end and including a pair of separate and distinct opposing wings disposed transverse to the shaft and a brush extending from the wings along a central axis of the shaft, each of the opposing wings including a plurality of flexible loops extending away from the wings and configured to collect exocervical cells.

2. The combination exo-endocervical sampling device of claim 1 , wherein each of the wings comprises a vertical wall, and wherein the flexible loops are formed on a top end of the vertical wall and extend vertically away from the top end.

3. The combination exo-endocervical sampling device of claim 2 , wherein the top end of each of the vertical walls has a curved shape that conforms to an exocervical surface of a cervix.

4. The combination exo-endocervical sampling device of claim 2 , and further comprising:

a plurality of holes formed in each vertical wall.

5. The combination exo-endocervical sampling device of claim 4 , wherein each of the holes is positioned directly below one of the flexible loops.

6. The combination exo-endocervical sampling device of claim 5 , and further comprising:

ledges formed on opposing sides of each of the vertical walls.

7. The combination exo-endocervical sampling device of claim 6 , wherein the ledges are positioned below the holes.

8. The combination exo-endocervical sampling device of claim 1 , wherein the brush comprises a single fiber that is coiled into a tubular helical structure, and wherein the tubular helical structure is helically wound around a support portion of the brush.

9. The combination exo-endocervical sampling device of claim 8 , wherein the wound tubular helical structure defines an interior space with a shape of a tubular helix that is configured to store abraded cervical cells.

10. The combination exo-endocervical sampling device of claim 1 , and further comprising:

a sampler coupled to the first end, wherein the sampler includes a plurality of soft and flexible disks and a support shaft portion, and wherein each of the flexible disks is perpendicular to and extends radially outward from the support shaft portion.

11. The combination exo-endocervical sampling device of claim 10 , wherein the disks gradually increase in diameter going from a top of the sampler toward a middle of the sampler, and gradually decrease in diameter going from the middle of the sampler toward a bottom of the sampler.

12. The combination exo-endocervical sampling device of claim 1 , and further comprising:

a sampler coupled to the first end, wherein the sampler includes a bulbous base portion and a plurality of cupped protrusions formed on the bulbous base portion, and wherein each of the protrusions includes a cupped interior portion configured to hold abraded cells.

13. The combination exo-endocervical sampling device of claim 12 , wherein the interior portions of a first plurality of the protrusions face in a substantially vertical direction, and the interior portions of a second plurality of the protrusions face in a substantially horizontal direction.

14. A combination exo-endocervical sampling device comprising:

a shaft that includes a first end opposite a second end;

a combination exo-endocervical sampler configured to simultaneously collect endocervical cells and exocervical cells, the combination exo-endocervical sampler coupled to the second end and including a pair of opposing wings disposed transverse to the shaft and a brush extending from the wings along a central axis of the shaft; and

wherein the brush comprises a fiber that is coiled into a helical structure, wherein the helical structure is helically wound around a support portion of the brush, and wherein the wound helical structure defines an interior space with a shape of a tubular helix configured to store abraded cervical cells.

15. A combination exo-endocervical sampling device comprising:

a shaft that includes a first end opposite a second end;

a combination exo-endocervical sampler configured to simultaneously collect endocervical cells and exocervical cells, the combination exo-endocervical sampler coupled to the second end and including a pair of opposing wings disposed transverse to the shaft and a brush extending from the wings along a central axis of the shaft, each of the opposing wings including a plurality of flexible loops configured to collect exocervical cells; and

a sampler coupled to the first end, wherein the sampler includes a plurality of soft and flexible disks and a support shaft portion, and wherein each of the flexible disks is perpendicular to and extends radially outward from the support shaft portion.

16. A combination exo-endocervical sampling device comprising:

a shaft that includes a first end opposite a second end;

a combination exo-endocervical sampler configured to simultaneously collect endocervical cells and exocervical cells, the combination exo-endocervical sampler coupled to the second end and including a pair of opposing wings disposed transverse to the shaft and a brush extending from the wings along a central axis of the shaft, each of the opposing wings including a plurality of flexible loops configured to collect exocervical cells; and

a sampler coupled to the first end, wherein the sampler includes a bulbous base portion and a plurality of cupped protrusions formed on the bulbous base portion, and wherein each of the protrusions includes a cupped interior portion configured to hold abraded cells.