A system for aseptic collection of mammalian amniotic fluid. The system includes a cannula having an attachment end and external end. The attachment end provides a concentric opening to a hollow chamber disposed about a central passage. The hollow chamber has a port disposed adjacent to the external end permitting at least a partial suction to be established within the hollow chamber, the attachment end thereby suctionally attached to a surface when the attachment end is disposed upon the surface. The central passage provides access to a central portion of the surface surrounded by the concentric opening of the hollow chamber. An extraction needle is disposed within the central passage of the cannula and presented to the central portion of the surface. The extraction needle penetrates the central portion of the surface and extracts amniotic fluid there beneath. An associated method of use is also provided.

An apparatus includes a housing, a fluid reservoir, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator. The housing defines an inner volume and has an inlet port that can be fluidically coupled to a patient and an outlet port. The fluid reservoir is disposed in the inner volume to receive and isolate a first volume of a bodily-fluid. The flow control mechanism is rotatable in the housing from a first configuration, in which a first lumen places the inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and a second configuration, in which a second lumen places the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port. The actuator is configured to create a negative pressure in the fluid reservoir and is configured to rotate the flow control mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration after the first volume of bodily-fluid is received in the fluid reservoir.

A trocar assembly for uterine and fetal surgeries includes a cannula defining a hollow tubular sleeve that extends from a first open end to a second open end, a hollow obturator defining a shaft that extends from a first open end that is tapered to a second open end, wherein the hollow obturator is located within the cannula, and wherein the trocar assembly is configured to be inserted into a patient's body to give access to a bodily cavity, such as the uterine cavity (amniotic cavity) or the fetus. The trocar assembly is configured for insertion into the uterine cavity using the Seldinger technique.

A trocar assembly and method for uterine and fetal surgeries includes a cannula defining a hollow tubular sleeve that extends from a first open end to a second open end, a hollow obturator defining a shaft that extends from a first open end that is tapered to a second open end, wherein the hollow obturator is located within the cannula, and wherein the trocar assembly is configured to be inserted into a patient's body to give access to a bodily cavity, such as the amniotic cavity or the fetus. The trocar assembly is configured for insertion into the amniotic cavity using the Seldinger technique.

The present invention relates to the field of medical diagnostics and more specifically, to identification of amniotic fluid.

A trocar assembly and method for uterine and fetal surgeries includes a cannula defining a hollow tubular sleeve that extends from a first open end to a second open end, a hollow obturator defining a shaft that extends from a first open end that is tapered to a second open end, wherein the hollow obturator is located within the cannula, and wherein the trocar assembly is configured to be inserted into a patient's body to give access to a bodily cavity, such as the amniotic cavity or the fetus. The trocar assembly is configured for insertion into the amniotic cavity using the Seldinger technique.

A syringe operable to rupture the amniotic sac and extract a pure, uncontaminated sample of amniotic fluid. The syringe includes a housing having an open insertion end opposite a handle end. The open insertion end includes a recessed portion with puncture member and fluid opening disposed therein. A plunger disposed within the tubular housing is operable draw the amniotic sac into the recessed portion of the syringe until it contacts the puncture member. The puncture member is operable to pierce the amniotic sac, and the plunger further provides a means for drawing a sample of amniotic fluid through the fluid opening and into the fluid receiving area within the syringe housing.

Disclosed are methods and devices for simulating ultrasound procedures and for training ultrasound users. Additionally disclosed are methods and devices for simulating needle insertion procedures, such as amniocentesis procedures, and for training physicians to perform such needle insertion procedures.

The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing diseases and disorders by measuring the amounts of one or more compounds in lamellar bodies isolated from a sample derived from a subject suspected of suffering from a disorder. Also disclosed are methods for monitoring efficacy of a treatment, methods for monitoring disease progression in a subject, as well as computer-implemented methods for diagnosis and systems for performing said methods.

Methods are disclosed for non-invasively obtaining fetal cells from a pregnant female. The methods include placing an absorbent medium in an interlabial or intravaginal space or adjacent to the perineum at the vaginal opening of the pregnant female, and collecting vaginal fluid comprising cells in the absorbent medium while the absorbent medium is interlabial or intravaginal space or adjacent to the perineum at the vaginal opening. The absorbent medium is removed and cells are isolated from the absorbent medium to obtain the fetal cells. The fetal cells can be, for example, somatic cells, embroyic stem cells, fetal stem cells or trophoblast cells.