Devices and methods for diagnosis of sinusitis

Abstract

Apparatuses for sampling mucous from within a sinus to determine if a single sample includes one or more bacterial types indicating bacterial sinusitis comprising an indicator to guide the angle at which a user inserts the apparatus relative to the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nasal sampling device, the device comprising:
 a proximal handle;   a bent distal portion configured to be inserted into a nare of a patient and extending from the proximal handle;   a sample collector configured to collect a sample of sinus fluid for later diagnostic testing, the sample collector having a retracted position within the bent distal portion and an advanced position extending distally past a distal end of the bent distal portion, wherein the bent distal portion is configured to prevent contamination of the sample collector when the sample collector is in the retracted position; and   an indicator proximal to the bent distal portion to indicate an angular position of the device relative to the patient's body.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator configured to advance the sample collector to the advanced position and to retract the sample collector to the retracted position. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover configured to cover the bent distal portion. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises an indicator arm extending from a long axis of the device at an angle of between 33 and 37 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the indicator arm is configured to removably attach to the device on either a right side of the device or a left side of the device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the indicator comprises is configured to be oriented perpendicular to a frontal plane of the patient's body to guide insertion of the bent distal portion into the nare. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises a bubble level oriented at an angle of between 30-40 degrees relative to a long axis of the device. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises a bubble level oriented at an angle of between 33-37 degrees relative to a long axis of the device. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises an accelerometer. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises an audio output. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises a visual output. 
     
     
         12 . A nasal sampling device, the device comprising:
 a proximal handle configured to be gripped with a human hand;   a body coupled to the proximal handle;   a distal portion of the body configured to be inserted into a nare of a patient;   a sample collector configured to collect a sample of sinus fluid for later diagnostic testing, the sample collector having a retracted position within the distal portion and an advanced position extending distally past a distal end of the distal portion, wherein the distal portion is configured to prevent contamination of the sample collector in the retracted position;   an actuator configured to advance the sample collector to the advanced position and to retract the sample collector to the retracted position; and   an indicator arm on or adjacent to the proximal handle extending from a long axis of the device at an angle of between 33 and 37 degrees, wherein the indicator arm is configured to be oriented perpendicular to a frontal plane of the patient's body.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the indicator arm is removable. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the indicator arm is configured to removably attach to the device on either a right side of the device or a left side of the device. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the indicator arm comprises a snap-on attachment. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the indicator arm comprises a slide-on attachment. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the indicator arm comprises a straight length of material having a rounded distal end. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 12 , further wherein the indicator arm extends from the long axis on a first side of the device and further comprising a second indicator arm extending from the long axis at an angle of between 30 to 40 degrees on a second side of the device. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the sample collector is a swab configured to collect the sample of the sinus fluid. 
     
     
         20 . A nasal sampling device, the device comprising:
 a proximal handle;   a bent distal portion configured to be inserted into a nare of a patient and extending from the proximal handle;   a sample collector comprising a swab, the sample collector configured to collect a sample of sinus fluid for later diagnostic testing, wherein the sample collector has a retracted position within the bent distal portion and an advanced position extending distally past a distal end of the bent distal portion, further wherein the bent distal portion is configured to prevent contamination of the sample collector when the sample collector is in the retracted position; and   an indicator proximal to the bent distal portion configured to indicate an angular position of the device relative to the patient's body.