CERVICAL TISSUE SAMPLING DEVICE

A cervical tissue sampling device (10) to allow women to collect tissue samples at home for transmission to a laboratory by mail or other means includes a cylindric al barrel (12) having an open circular front end (14) and an open circular rear end terminating in a radially extending irregularly shaped finger grip flange (16). A plunger assembly (33) slidably received within the barrel (12) includes a circular brush (34) and surrounding circular sponge (40) for collecting cervical tissue and mucus. The brush (34) and sponge (40 ) collection assembly is detachably secured to the plunger (33) shaft by a quick release connection (52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62). In use, the barrel (12) is inserted by a female in to her vagina (v) with the sponge (40) and brush (34) disposed in a retracted condition within the barrel (12). After insertion, the plunger (33) is moved to an extended condition an d rotated to collect tissue and mucus samples on the brush (34) and sponge (40). After the samples have been collected, the sponge (40) and brush (34) are detached from the plunger shaft (33) and mailed in a sealed container to a laboratory for analysis.