A method for detection of cancer of the breast is provided which comprises drawing a partial vacuum around the area of the breast immediately peripherally surrounding the breast nipple to restrain sphincter contraction of the duct openings in the nipple area, then, while maintaining this first mentioned partial vacuum, intermittently applying a zone of reduced pressure to the nipple itself for the extraction of secretion therefrom in sufficient quantity for the cytological examination of epithelial cells found therein for abnormalities. An apparatus is also provided for practicing the method.
An aspirator including an open-bottom suction structure defining a vacuum chamber therein which can be evacuated to a desired degree of vacuum to permit the structure to be securely attached to a tumorous part of the body suction. A guide sleeve is fixedly supported along the vertical axis of the suction structure to slidably receive a puncture tube having its lower end cut biaswise to form a sharp edge, and a drainage tube communicated with a source of negative pressure is further slidably accommodated within the puncture tube. A puncture is first performed in the cystic tumor by the bias-cut lower end of the puncture tube, and its fluid contents are removed by suction exerted through the drainage tube. Stable attachment of the suction structure to the tumor may be assured by the provision of an annular air chamber around the guide sleeve or by the provision of a wire netting at the bottom end of the vacuum chamber.
Methods, kits, and apparatus for locating, labelling, and accessing breast ducts are described. An orifice to one or more ductal networks is labelled using a specific binding substance, typically an antibody, specific for a tissue marker present on the orifice. Exemplary tissue markers include those present on the ductal epithelium, such as cytokeratins, including cytokeratin 8 and cytokeratin 18; E cadhedrin; and epithelial membrane antigen. Labelling of the ductal orifices permits reliable identification and access to each of the multiple ductal networks which may be present in an individual breast.
An apparatus for drawing bodily fluid from a person comprising a suction module having a hole extending from its top surface to its bottom surface. A removeable lid covers the hole at the top surface. The bottom surface of the module adheres to the skin of the individual. A bore extends from the outer surface of the module into the hole, and a pumping mechanism attaches to the bore to creating a vacuum within said hole by drawing air out of said module. As a vacuum is created, skin is drawn into the hole to form a blister containing bodily fluids within the hole. The blister having bodily fluid therein is ruptured, and its fluid content is collected.
Biological samples of mammary fluid or components thereof are obtained using a breast pump device coupled with a solid phase sample collection medium, alternatively facilitated by administering oxytocin to the subject. The breast pump device stimulates expression of mammary fluid and provides for collection of diagnostic samples to evaluate breast disease, including cancer. The biological sample may include whole cells or cellular components, purified or bulk proteins, glycoproteins, peptides, nucleotides or other desired constituents comprising a breast disease marker. Methods, kits and adapter devices relating to the breast pump device are also provided. Yet additional methods, devices, accessories, and materials are provided for laboratory handling and processing of breast fluid samples and for related diagnostic methods.
