Frictional tissue sampling and collection method and device

Abstract

In an embodiment of the invention, a frictional tissue sampling device with a head designed to be rotated without rotating off the designated site can be used to obtain tissue biopsy samples. A frictional tissue sampling device with a head designed to be rotated without rotating off the designated site can be used to obtain an epithelial tissue biopsy sample from lesions. The device can be otherwise used to sample specific locations. In various embodiments, the head of the device is narrow and pointed with a hybrid pear shaped diamond facet. The facet contour can be concave, convex or flat. Abrasive material can be adhered to the facet contour.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a platform;   a plurality of fenestrated loops, where the plurality of fenestrated loops are affixed to and project outwards from the platform, where the platform is adapted to direct the plurality of fenestrated loops onto a diseased anatomical region in a patient such that there is a contact between the plurality of fenestrated loops and the diseased anatomical region, where the plurality of fenestrated loops are adapted for trans-epithelial tissue disruption of the diseased anatomical region; and   a drug adapted to be applied to the diseased anatomical region through the contact with one or more of the plurality of fenestrated loops.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , where the drug is an immune modulating agent, where the drug is adapted for stimulating an immune response in the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , where the drug is an adjuvant. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , where the drug is selected from the group consisting of one or more of an an antibiotic and an antiseptic. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , where the drug is an ablative. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , where the drug is imiquimod. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , where the drug is acting to treat a pre-cancer or a cancer. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , where the diseased anatomical region is a lesion. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , where the lesion is formed due at least in part to an infection selected from the group consisting of a viral infection, a bacterial infection, a fungal infection and a protozoa infection. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , where the diseased anatomical region is afflicted with a disease selected from the group consisting of an actinic keratosis, an external genital wart, a superficial basal cell carcinoma, a skin cancer, and a pre-cancerous lesion. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more spaces between the plurality of fenestrated loops, where the platform is adapted to ensure that the one or more spaces between the plurality of fenestrated loops remain evenly distributed. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , where the platform further comprises a railing and a dam; where the railing is located around a perimeter of the platform, where an adhesive can be applied in the dam to adhere one or more of the plurality of fenestrated loops to the platform, where the railing serves to restrain the adhesive in the dam prior to the adhesive being cured. 
     
     
         13 . A method for treating by disrupting a diseased tissue surface of a patient comprising:
 (a) contacting a device onto a diseased anatomical region, where the device comprises a platform with a plurality of fenestrated loops and a drug, where each of the plurality of fenestrated loops further comprise a hook tip, where the plurality of fenestrated loops are oriented to project outwards from the platform, where the platform is adapted to direct the plurality of fenestrated loops onto the diseased anatomical region such that there is contact between the drug and the diseased anatomical region via the plurality of fenestrated loops;   (b) dispensing the drug onto the plurality of fenestrated loops;   (c) applying a frictional force to the device to direct the plurality of fenestrated loops onto the diseased anatomical region, where the frictional force is insinuating the hook tip to fracture a surface of the diseased anatomical region; and   (d) rotating the platform to frictionally abrade the surface of the diseased anatomical region, where one or both the plurality of fenestrated loops delivers the drug onto the diseased anatomical region.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , where the drug is an immune modulating agent, where the drug is adapted for stimulating an immune response in the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , where the drug is selected from the group consisting of one or more of an adjuvant, an antibiotic, an antiseptic and an ablative. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , where the drug is selected from the group consisting of CervarixT, Gardasil and Imiquimod. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , where the diseased anatomical region is a lesion. 
     
     
         18 . A method for treating neoplasia comprising:
 (a) contacting a device onto a neoplasm epithelial region of a patient, where the device comprises a platform with a plurality of fenestrated loops and a drug, where the plurality of fenestrated loops are oriented to project outwards from the platform, where the platform is adapted to direct the plurality of fenestrated loops onto a cancer epithelial region or a pre-cancer epithelial region such that there is contact between the drug and the neoplasm epithelial region via the plurality of fenestrated loops;   (b) dispensing the drug onto the plurality of fenestrated loops; and   (c) rotating the platform to frictionally abrade the neoplasm epithelial region, where one or both the plurality of fenestrated loops delivers the drug onto the neoplasm epithelial region.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , where the drug is selected from the group consisting of CervarixT, Gardasil and Imiquimod. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising autoinoculation to augment an immune response. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , where the neoplasm epithelial region contains a lesion. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , where the drug is acting as an ablative on the lesion.