METHODS AND DEVICES FOR COLLECTING, HANDLING AND PROCESSING MAMMARY FLUID SAMPLES FOR EVALUATING BREAST DISEASES, INCLUDING CANCER

摘要

Non-invasive methods are provided for obtaining biological samples of mammaryfluid from a patient using a breast pump device incorporating a solid phasesample collection medium. Use of the breast pump device stimulates expressionof mammary fluid from patients, which provides for collection of diagnosticfluid samples to evaluate breast disease, including cancer, in the patient.The breast pump device (10) includes a breast engaging portion (14); a samplecollection housing (30); a solid phase sample collection medium supported influid connection with the breast engaging portion; and a vacuum pump (160) forgenerating negative pressure through the breast engaging member to facilitatebreast fluid expression.