Cytological cell sample collection, storage, and transport device

1. A cytological device, comprising:

a collection assembly, comprising a swab head and a support shaft,

a plunger connected to the support shaft opposite the swab head,

a sheath having a head end and a foot end, configured to enclose at least the swab head and support shaft within its internal volume, and comprising an opening at the head end configured to pass the swab head;

a base connected to the foot end of the sheath; and

a containment vial;

wherein the collection assembly is slidably coupled through the base at the support shaft such that at a first slide position the swab head is located within the sheath and the plunger is located external and distal to the base, and at a second slide position the swab head is displaced through the opening at the head end of the sheath and the plunger form fits onto the base;

wherein the plunger comprises a lock located on a radially outward facing surface of the plunger and is shaped to snap fit into a radially inward facing surface of the base when the collection assembly is in the second slide position; and

the base and containment vial are configured to engage with each other to form a seal and enclose the sheath and collection assembly within an internal volume defined by the containment vial and base.

2. The device as in claim 1 wherein the base comprises a receiving channel to receive the plunger and engage the lock when the collection assembly is in the second slide position and wherein the receiving channel and the base are complimentary geometric structures.

3. The device as in claim 2 wherein the base further comprises a mating structure configured to engage with the lock.

4. The device as in claim 1 wherein the support shaft comprises a support stop;

wherein the support stop is distal of the swab head and protrudes radially outward from the support shaft; and

wherein the head end of the sheath curves radially inward towards the support shaft, such that the radius of the support stop is larger than the opening at the head end of the sheath, and the support stop comes into contact engages with the interior surface of the head end of the sheath when the swab is in the second slide position.

5. The device as in claim 1 wherein the lock comprises a click lock configured to produce an audible click when the collection assembly is locked in the second slide position.

6. The device as in claim 1 wherein the swab head is pre-moistened with a cell sample collection fluid.

7. The device in claim 1 wherein the containment vial is pre-filled with a cell suspension fluid.

8. The device in claim 1 wherein a radially outward surface of the plunger sealably couples to a radially inward surface of the base when the swab is in the second slide position.

9. A cytological device, comprising:

a collection assembly, comprising a swab head and a support shaft,

a plunger connected to the support shaft opposite the swab head,

a sheath having a head end and a foot end, configured to enclose at least the swab head and support shaft within its internal volume, and comprising an opening at the head end configured to pass the swab head; and

a base connected to the foot end of the sheath;

wherein the collection assembly is slidably coupled through the base at the support shaft such that at a first slide position the swab head is located within the sheath and the plunger is located external and distal to the base, and at a second slide position the swab head is displaced through the opening at the head end of the sheath and the plunger form fits on to the base;

wherein the plunger comprises a lock located on a radially outward facing surface of the plunger and is shaped to snap fit into a radially inward facing surface of the base when the collection assembly is in the second slide position.

10. The device in claim 9 further comprising a containment vial.

11. The device in claim 10 wherein the base and the containment vial are configured to engage with each other to form a seal and enclose the sheath and collection assembly within an internal volume defined by the containment vial and base.

12. The device as in claim 9 wherein the base comprises a receiving channel to receive the plunger and engage the lock when the collection assembly is in the second slide position and wherein the receiving channel and the base are complimentary geometric structures.

13. The device as in claim 12 wherein the base further comprises a mating structure configured to engage with the lock.

14. The device as in claim 9 wherein the lock comprises a click lock configured to produce an audible click when the collection assembly is locked in the second slide position.

15. The device as in claim 9 wherein the support shaft comprises a support stop;

wherein the support stop is distal of the swab head and protrudes radially outward from the support shaft; and

wherein the head end of the sheath curves radially inward towards the support shaft, such that the radius of the support stop is larger than the opening at the head end of the sheath, and the support stop comes into contact with the interior surface of the head end of the sheath when the swab is in the second slide position.

16. The device as in claim 9 wherein the swab head is pre-moistened with a cell sample collection fluid.

17. The device as in claim 9 wherein the base comprises a grip-enhancing structure.

18. The device in claim 9 wherein the containment vial is pre-filled with a cell suspension fluid.

19. The device of claim 9 wherein a radially outward surface of the plunger sealably couples to a radially inward surface of the base when the swab is in the second slide position.

20. The device in claim 9 wherein the swab head comprises flocked fibers.