IP Library Granted Patent US 12,349,876
Granted Patent B2
US 12,349,876 · App. 17/553,514 · Granted Jul 8, 2025

Frictional trans-epithelial tissue disruption collection apparatus and method of inducing an immune response

Inventors: Neal Marc Lonky (Yorba Linda, CA); Martin L Lonky (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)
Assignee: HISTOLOGICS LLC
A61B10/02A61B10/0291A61B2010/0216A61B2017/320004A61B2017/320012A61M2037/0023A61M2037/0046A61M2037/0061A61M2202/206A61M2202/30
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,349,876
App. No.
17/553,514
Granted
Jul 8, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to trans-epithelial frictionally abrasive tissue sampling devices for performing biopsies and methods of inducing an immune response against a pathogen, wherein epithelial cells containing the pathogen are disrupted with the frictionally abrasive tissue sampling device to introduce the pathogen into the bloodstream of a patient.

Claims (28)

1. A device for shearing one or more clumps of tissue comprising:

a finger glove; and

a fabric comprising:

a plurality of fenestrated loops, where the plurality of fenestrated loops are arranged in rows, where the plurality of fenestrated loops create one or more inter-loop channels, where the plurality of fenestrated loops are formed by cutting each of a plurality of loops close to an apex of each of the plurality of loops to generate a V-wishbone shape with a first length, where the first length is between 2.5 mm to 25 mm, where the cutting forms a plurality of short hook ends, where the plurality of fenestrated loops comprise:

the plurality of short hook ends, where a first distance from the apex to the bottom of the short hook end is greater than 0% and less than 20% of the first length; and

a plurality of short arms with a second length, where the second length is less than the first length, where each of the plurality of short arms is adjacent to each of the plurality of short hook ends, where the one or more clumps of tissue are excavated by the plurality of fenestrated loops, where the one or more clumps of tissue collect in the one or more inter-loop channels.

2. The device of claim 1 , where the first plurality of fenestrated loops are arranged equally spaced.

3. The device of claim 1 , where the plurality of fenestrated loops occupies an area of between:

a lower limit of 5 mm in diameter; and

an upper limit of 10 mm in diameter.

4. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more clumps of tissue comprise a histological tissue sample.

5. The device of claim 1 , where the short hook end is oriented towards the finger glove.

6. The device of claim 1 , where the first distance is at least 1% of the first length.

7. The device of claim 1 , where the first distance is at least 5% of the first length.

8. A method for obtaining a histological tissue sample comprising:

(a) providing a gloved finger comprising:

a fabric comprising:

a plurality of fenestrated loops, where the plurality of fenestrated loops are arranged in rows, where the plurality of fenestrated loops create one or more inter-loop channels, where the plurality of fenestrated loops are formed by cutting each of a plurality of loops close to an apex of each of the plurality of loops to generate a V-wishbone shape with a first length between 2.5 mm to 25 mm, where the plurality of fenestrated loops each comprise:

a plurality of short hook ends, where a distance from the apex to the bottom of the short hook end is greater than 0% and less than 20% of the first length;

a plurality of short arms with a second length, where the second length is less than the first length, where each of the plurality of short arms is adjacent to each of the plurality of short hook ends;

(b) applying the gloved finger to a tissue surface;

(c) applying a first force to the gloved finger, where the first force causes one or more short hook ends of the plurality of fenestrated loops to flex but not to shear or separate an epithelium from an underlying stroma of the tissue surface; and

(d) applying an additional force to the gloved finger, where the additional force is acting on the one or more short hook ends to remove transepithelial cells from the underlying stroma of the tissue surface, where the histological tissue sample is excavated by the plurality of fenestrated loops, where the histological tissue sample collects in the one or more inter-loop channels.

9. The method of claim 8 , where the additional force resulting from simultaneous pressure, agitational, and rotational force is acting to splay and separate one or more of the plurality of fenestrated loops.

10. The method of claim 8 , where the additional force causes the one or more short hook ends to abrade the tissue surface leading to tissue disruption.

11. The method of claim 8 , where the one or more short hook ends are oriented towards the gloved finger.

12. The method of claim 8 , where the distance is at least 1% of the first length.

13. The method of claim 8 , where the distance is at least 5% of the first length.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2024
From: LONKY, MARTIN L
To: HISTOLOGICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 070328/0317 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 18, 2024
From: LONKY, NEAL MARC
To: HISTOLOGICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 069191/0603 →
Continuity (7)
Division 15603374 · May 23, 2017
Division 15208603 · Jul 12, 2016
Continuation 14602002 · Jan 21, 2015
Division 14154447 · Jan 14, 2014
Division 12669638
Provisional Application 60950280 · Jul 17, 2007
Related Publication 20220105329A1 · Apr 7, 2022
References Cited (257)
US 1795500A · Omundson · 1931 [cited by applicant]
US 2675572A · Nomiya · 1954 [cited by applicant]
US 2701559A · Cooper · 1955 [cited by applicant]
US 2717437A · De Mestral · 1955 [cited by applicant]
US 2811969A · Shubert · 1957 [cited by applicant]
US 2839049A · Maclean · 1958 [cited by applicant]
US 2847005A · Bourne · 1958 [cited by applicant]
US 2955591A · Maclean · 1960 [cited by applicant]
US 3018498A · Wasserman · 1962 [cited by applicant]
US 3263681A · Nechtow · 1966 [cited by applicant]
US 3511242A · Agnone · 1970 [cited by applicant]
US 3554185A · Kohl · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3559226A · Burns · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3628522A · Kato · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3774590A · McDonald · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US 3777743A · Binard · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US RE27915E · Kohl · 1974 [cited by applicant]
US 3796211A · Kohl · 1974 [cited by applicant]
US 3877464A · Vermes · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3945372A · Milan · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 3995629A · Patel · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 4016865A · Fredericks · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4061146A · Baehr · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4127113A · Nollan · 1978 [cited by applicant]
US 4168698A · Ostergard · 1979 [cited by applicant]
US 4227537A · Suciu · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4245653A · Weaver · 1981 [cited by applicant]
US 4384587A · Milgrom · 1983 [cited by applicant]
US 4396022A · Marx · 1983 [cited by applicant]
US 4430076A · Harris · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4465072A · Taheri · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4467816A · Schluter · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4620548A · Hasselbrack · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4641662A · Jaicks · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US D289926S · Lonky · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4700713A · Kist · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4754764A · Bayne · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4757826A · Abdulhay · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4759376A · Stormby · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4762133A · Bayne · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4763669A · Jaeger · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4777947A · Zwick · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4781202A · Janese · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4872243A · Fischer · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4873992A · Bayne · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4892831A · Wong · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4932857A · Nishino · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4946389A · Weissenberger · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4951684A · McMillan · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4961430A · Sheahon · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4965725A · Rutenberg · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 5022408A · Mohajer · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5067195A · Sussman · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5069224A · Zinnanti, Jr. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5092345A · Sakita · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5121752A · Canna · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5133361A · Cox · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5154694A · Kelman · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5184626A · Hicken · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5191899A · Strickland · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5195964A · Kletzky · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5197949A · Angsupanich · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5250061A · Michelson · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5253652A · Fast · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5257182A · Luck · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5259391A · Altshuler · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5287272A · Rutenberg · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5315740A · Provost · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5329938A · Lonky · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5370128A · Wainwright · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5421346A · Sanyal · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5445164A · Worthen · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5456265A · Yim · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5462063A · Kist · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5464409A · Mohajer · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5470308A · Edwards · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5476104A · Sheahon · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5535756A · Parasher · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5544650A · Boon · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5549563A · Kroner · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5623941A · Hedberg · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5643232A · Villotti, Jr. · 1997 [cited by examiner]
US 5643307A · Turkel · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5649943A · Amoils · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5713369A · Tao · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5722423A · Lind · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5738109A · Parasher · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5761760A · Dumler · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5785785A · Chesley · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5792160A · Weiss · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5800362A · Kobren · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5807282A · Fowler · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5857982A · Milliman · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5865765A · Mohajer · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5868509A · Crutcher · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5868668A · Weiss · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5882329A · Patterson · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5899850A · Ouchi · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5913857A · Ritchart · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5916228A · Ripich · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5937870A · Gueret · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5951550A · Shirley · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6053877A · Banik · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6110130A · Kramer · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6132421A · Clapham · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6193674B1 · Zwart · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6258044B1 · Lonky · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6297044B1 · Eisen · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6302853B1 · Sak · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6336905B1 · Colaianni · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6346086B1 · Maksem · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6376905B2 · Hisano · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6379315B1 · Claren · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6387058B1 · Wallach · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6394966B1 · Gill · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6402700B1 · Richards · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6408492B1 · Sparks · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6494845B2 · Rutenberg · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6595947B1 · Mikszta · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6676609B1 · Rutenberg · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6730085B2 · George · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6740049B2 · Wallach · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6790654B2 · Malinge · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6860738B2 · Bachmann · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 7004913B1 · Rutenberg · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7137956B2 · Nishtalas · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7156814B1 · Williamson, IV · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7157233B2 · Fischer · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7413551B2 · Decker · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7517323B2 · Ng · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US D605407S · Wagner · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7749173B2 · Larkin · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7836539B2 · Moskovich · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7871574B2 · Peltier · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8152739B1 · McCully · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8348856B1 · Malanowska · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8439847B2 · Larkin · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8517956B1 · Malanowska · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8617183B2 · Schneider · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8652067B2 · Lonky · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8795197B2 · Lonky · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 9028484B2 · Craig · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9044213B1 · Lonky · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9282950B2 · Klein · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9282951B2 · Lonky · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9393394B2 · Lonky · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9421346B2 · Callahan · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9687642B2 · Lonky · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9895140B1 · Lonky · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10201332B1 · Lonky · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10258780B2 · Lonky · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 11013466B2 · Lonky · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11083631B2 · Dunn · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20010022063A1 · Korteweg · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 20020068881A1 · Kobren · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020165467A1 · Rutenberg · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20030055373A1 · Sramek · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030109804A1 · Auerbach · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20040029658A1 · Howe · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040120989A1 · Vadas · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040116827A1 · Tiberio · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040138642A1 · Fischer · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040181170A1 · Wallach · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040181185A1 · Lee · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040220478A1 · Wallace · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040236247A1 · Rizvi · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040260199A1 · Hardia · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040260201A1 · Mueller · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040267191A1 · Gifford · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20050059905A1 · Boock · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050074269A1 · Asselin · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050085845A1 · Hilaire · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050215920A1 · Isa · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050251093A1 · Abou-Kansoul · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050261603A1 · Witenberg · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20060052805A1 · Cwik · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060122641A1 · Eberle · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060200043A1 · Jannetty · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20070060839A1 · Richardson · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070073186A1 · Decker · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070093727A1 · Feuer · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070135731A1 · Ward · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070100335A1 · Fischer · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070107155A1 · Kacher · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070118947A1 · Lorenzo · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070161042A1 · Zuk · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070255177A1 · Pronovost · 2007 [cited by examiner]
US 20070270715A1 · Ng · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070282222A1 · Larkin · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070282223A1 · Larkin · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080188769A1 · Lu · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080216763A1 · Ebert · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080262384A1 · Wiederkehr · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090012424A1 · Huschmand · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090024155A1 · Lee · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090043224A1 · Lundkvist · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090112239A1 · To · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090149860A1 · Scribner · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090275859A1 · Kim · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090326414A1 · Peltier · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100011483A1 · Pinkart · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100210968A1 · Lonky · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100249649A1 · Larkin · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110152881A1 · Conner · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110172557A1 · Lonky · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110268610A1 · Recknor · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20130066233A1 · Klein · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130158429A1 · Sepsick · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130267870A1 · Lonky · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140128773A1 · Lonky · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140358158A1 · Einarsson · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20160100862A1 · Parys · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20170021151A1 · Lonky · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170112477A1 · Benning · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180035983A1 · Lonky · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180296800A1 · Kato · 2018 [cited by applicant]
AT 392411 · 1988 [cited by applicant]
CH 653880 · 1986 [cited by applicant]
Blute, Renal brush biopsy: Survey of indications, techniques and results, J Urol., Aug. 1981, vol. 126(2), pp. 146-149. [cited by applicant]
Boon et al., “Confocal Sectioning of Thick, Otherwise Undiagnosable Cell Groupings in Cervical Smears” Acta Cytol., vol. 37, pp. 40-48 (1991). [cited by applicant]
Boon et al., “Exploiting the “Toothpick Effect” of the Cytobrush by Plastic Embedding of Cervical Samples” Acta Cytol., vol. 35, pp. 57-63 (1991). [cited by applicant]
Boon, “A model for quantitative follow-up studies of cervical lesions,” Diagn Cytopathol., 1992, vol. 8(1), pp. 8-17. [cited by applicant]
Butler, B., “Kuper brush in the diagnosis of endometrial lesions,” The Lancet, Dec. 1971, vol. 298(7739), pp. 1390-1392. [cited by applicant]
DeGirolami, “Histo-brush technic for endometerial tissue study,” Obstet Gynecol., Dec. 1961, vol. 28(6), pp. 861-866. [cited by applicant]
Dowlatshahi et al., “Evaluation of brush cytology as an independent technique for detection of esophageal carcinoma” J Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, vol. 89, No. 6, pp. 848-851, Jun. 1985. [cited by applicant]
Fennessy, “Transbronchial biopsy of peripheral lung lesions,” Radiology, May 1967, vol. 88(5), pp. 878-882. [cited by applicant]
Firestone, “Needle lung biopsy, bronchial brushing and mediastinoscopy in Management of Chest Diseases,” Calif Med., Sep. 1973, vol. 119(3), pp. 1-5. [cited by applicant]
Gahres et al., “Histo-brush technic for Endometrial Tissue Study”, Obstet Gynecol vol. 28, pp. 861-866 (1966)—Front Page. Only. [cited by applicant]
Goldstein, “Esophageal biopsy utilizing a flexible brush,” Gastrointest Endosc., Aug. 1968, vol. 15(1), pp. 53-55. [cited by applicant]
Granqvist, “Colonoscopic biopsies and cytological exam in chronic ulcerative colitis,” J Gastroenterology, Apr. 1980, vol. 15(3), pp. 283-288. [cited by applicant]
Hardwick, “Brush biopsy in the diagnosia of neoplasia in Bartlett's esophagus,” Disease Esophagus, Oct. 1997, vol. 10(4), pp. 233-237. [cited by applicant]
Iaccarino, “Percutaneous intralesional brushing of cystic lesions of bone: a technical improvement of diagnostic cytology,” Skelatal Radiol, 1990, vol. 19(3), pp. 187-190. [cited by applicant]
Johnsson, “Cytological brush techniques in malignant disease of the endometrium,” Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, Jan. 1968, vol. 47, issue 1, pp. 38-51. [cited by applicant]
Johnsson, “Cytological diagnosis of endometrial disorders with a brush technique,” Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand., 1971, vol. 50(2), pp. 141-148. [cited by applicant]
Kovnat, “Bronchial brushing through the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions,” Chest, Feb. 1975, vol. 67(2), pp. 179-184. [cited by applicant]
Liu, “Transcervical chorionic villus biopsy with a brush,” Prenat Diagn., Sep.-Oct. 1985, vol. 5(5), pp. 349-355. [cited by applicant]
Maksem, “Endometrial brush cytology of advanced postmenopausal endometrium . . . ,” Diagn Cytopathol., Nov. 1998, vol. 19(5), pp. 338-343. [cited by applicant]
Matsuda, “Bronchial brushing and bronchial biopsy: comparison of diagnostic accuracy and cell typing reliability in lung cancer,” Thorax, Jun. 1986, vol. 41(6), pp. 475-479. [cited by applicant]
Meulman, “Predictions of various grades of cervical neoplasia on plastic-embedded cytobrush samples,” Anal Quant Cytol Histol., Feb. 1992, vol. 14(1), pp. 60-72. [cited by applicant]
Mills, “Transcatheter brush biopsy of intravenous tumor thrombi,” Radiology, Jun. 1978, vol. 127(3), pp. 667-670. [cited by applicant]
Morteza, “Brush and forceps biopsy of billary ducts via percutaneous transhepatic catheterization,” Radiology, Jun. 1980, vol. 135, pp. 777-778. [cited by applicant]
Moskowitz, “To brush or not to brush is there really a question?,” Chest, Jun. 1971, vol. 59(6), pp. 648-650. [cited by applicant]
Mullins, “A new technique for transbronchial biopsy in infants and small children,” Pediatr Pulmonol, Oct. 1995, vol. 20(4), pp. 253-257. [cited by applicant]
Payne, “Diagnostic accuracy of cytology and biopsy in primary bronchial carcinoma,” Thorax, Jun. 1979, vol. 43(3), pp. 294-299. [cited by applicant]
Pipkorn, “A brush to harvest cells from the nasal mucosa for microscopic and biochemical analysis,” J Immunol Methods, Aug. 9, 1988, vol. 112(1), pp. 37-42. [cited by applicant]
Portner, “New devices for biliary drainage and biopsy,” Radiology, Jun. 1982, vol. 138, pp. 1191-1195. [cited by applicant]
Raney, “Detection of carcinoma of upper urinary tract with steerable brush biopsy,” Urology, Jul. 1979, vol. 14(1), pp. 77-78. [cited by applicant]
Ravinsky, “Cytologic features of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the uterine cervix. A case report,” Acta Cytol., Nov.-Dec. 1996, vol. 40(6), pp. 1304-1308. [cited by applicant]
Riise et al., “Bronchial brush biopsies for studies of epithelial inflammation in stable asthma and nonobstructive chronic bronchitis” Eur Respir J vol. 9, pp. 1665-1671 (1996). [cited by applicant]
Riise, “A bronchoscopic brush biopsy study of large airway mucosal pathology in smokers . . . ,” Eur Respir J., Apr. 1992, vol. 5(4), pp. 382-386. [cited by applicant]
Roth et al., “Cytologic Detection of Esophageal Squamous Cell . . . ” Cancer, vol. 80, No. 11, Dec. 1, 1997. [cited by applicant]
Sanderson, “Use of a new controllable-tip brush with the flexible fiber bronchoscope,” Chest, Jun. 1974, vol. 65(6), pp. 620-621. [cited by applicant]
Sheline, “Fluoroscopically guided retrograde brush biopsy in the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract . . . ,” Am J Roentgenology, Sep. 1989, vol. 153(2), pp. 313-316. [cited by applicant]
Willson, “Bronchial brush biopsy with a controllable brush,” Am J Roentgenology, Jul. 1970, vol. 109(3), pp. 471-477. [cited by applicant]
Zavala, “Use of Bronchofiberscope for bronchial brush biopsy: diagnostic results and comparison with other brushing techniques,” Chest, Jun. 1973, vol. 63(6), pp. 889-892. [cited by applicant]
Zeppa, “A model for quantitative follow-up studies of cervical lesions,” Diagn Cytopathol, 1992, vol. 8(1), pp. 8-17. [cited by applicant]
Extended ESR of Application No. 08796246, PCT/US2008/070341, May 11, 2012, 6 pages. [cited by applicant]