Expandable device for tissue collection from an aerodigestive body lumen

Abstract

A device for obtaining tissue from the aerodigestive tract is provided. The device may have internal and external folds and a tissue collection surface for collecting a tissue sample from a body lumen, such as the nose or throat. The present invention is also directed to methods of collecting a tissue sample using the devices, described herein.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An expandable device, comprising
 an outer surface sized to fit within a body lumen, one or more regions of the outer surface having a tissue collection surface, wherein when the expandable device is deflated the outer surface has internal folds and external folds, wherein the tissue collection surface is present on one or more internal folds of the outer surface and is not present on one or more external folds.   
     
     
         20 . The expandable device of  claim 19 , wherein the device is a balloon. 
     
     
         21 . The expandable device of  claim 20 , wherein the balloon is made of latex, silicone elastomer, butadiene/acrylonitride copolymers, copolyesters, ethylene vinylacetate (EVB) polymers, ethylene/acrylic copolymers, ethylene/propylene copolymers, polyalkylacrylate polymers, polybutadiene, polybutylene, polyethylene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, polyurethane, styrenebutadiene copolymers, and styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene, polyesters, polyolefins, polyamides, polyvinyl chloride, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The expandable device of  claim 20 , wherein the balloon has one or more inflatable compartments. 
     
     
         23 . The expandable device of  claim 20 , wherein the balloon has a shape selected from the group consisting of round, conical, oblong, and tissue specific. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The expandable device of  claim 19 , wherein the tissue collection surface is an abrasive surface. 
     
     
         26 . The expandable device of  claim 25 , wherein the abrasive surface is a coating of particulate. 
     
     
         27 . The expandable device of  claim 26 , wherein the particulate is made of silica, a biocompatible plastic, a biopolymer, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The expandable device of  claim 19 , wherein the tissue collection surface is on alternating internal folds. 
     
     
         29 . The expandable device of  claim 19 , wherein the tissue collection surface forms a pattern on the outer surface of the inflated expandable device. 
     
     
         30 . The expandable device of  claim 19 , wherein the tissue collection surface is not present on any external folds. 
     
     
         31 . The expandable device of  claim 19 , wherein the tissue collection surface is present on all internal folds. 
     
     
         32 . The expandable device of  claim 19 , wherein the expandable device has an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, and wherein the internal and external folds are pleated when the device is in the contracted configuration. 
     
     
         33 . The expandable device of  claim 19 , wherein the expandable device is attached to a tube or channel. 
     
     
         34 . The expandable device of  claim 19 , wherein the expandable device is coated with an agent. 
     
     
         35 . The expandable device of  claim 34 , wherein the agent is coated on the internal folds of the expandable device. 
     
     
         36 . The expandable device of  claim 34 , wherein the agent is a therapeutic agent, diagnostic agent, or imaging agent. 
     
     
         37 . A balloon cytology device, comprising:
 a balloon having an outer surface sized to fit within an esophagus, one or more regions of the outer surface having a tissue collection surface; and   a support member having a proximal end region and a distal end region, wherein the support member is connected to the balloon at the distal end region and wherein the minimal length of the support member between the proximal end region and the distal end region is 10 cm, wherein the support member includes a hollow compartment for transferring a gas or liquid to balloon to inflate the balloon.   
     
     
         38 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . An apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a support member; and   (b) an expandable device of  claim 19 , connected to the support member.   
     
     
         43 - 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A kit, comprising:
 (a) the apparatus of  claim 42 ; and   (b) instructions or direction for obtaining instructions for using the apparatus.   
     
     
         51 . (canceled)