Inventors:
Richard A. Martin - Cape Girardeau MO
International Classification:
A61M 100, A61C 1706
Abstract:
A nasal aspirator/irrigation device can be used in a method of obtaining human mucopurulence suited for culturing to determine the type of pathogens contained in it. The aspirator includes a hollow body having a top portion and a bottom portion, a hollow capture chamber connected to the bottom portion, a nasal conduit connected to the body top portion having a free end dimensioned to fit into a human nostril, and a vacuum control conduit which extends upwardly from the body top portion. The free end has a hollow triangular prism shape adapted to provide a good fit in a human nostril, and the capture chamber is releasably connected, such as by screw-threads, so that it can be detached, sealed, and shipped to a diagnostic site. The capture chamber may include culture media in it prior to utilization. Sterile liquid is introduced into a first of the patient's nostrils, the aspirator device--connected to vacuum--introduced into the other nostril.