Swab for Collecting Biological Specimens

Abstract

A swab for collecting biological specimens of the type consisting of a rod terminating in a tip covered with fibre with hydrophilic properties to allow absorption of said specimens, wherein said fibre covers said tip in the form of a layer deposited by flocking.

1 . Swab ( 20 ) for collecting biological specimens of the type consisting of a rod ( 14 ) terminating in a tip ( 16 ) covered with fibre ( 17 ) with hydrophilic properties to allow absorption of said specimens, characterised in that said fibre ( 17 ) covers said tip ( 16 ) in the form of a layer deposited by flocking. 
     
     
         2 . Swab as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said rod tip ( 16 ) is shaped with a rounded geometry, such as an ogive, said fibre ( 17 ) being arranged in a uniform thickness. 
     
     
         3 . Swab as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said rod tip ( 16 ) is shaped with a geometry at least partly truncated or with edges. 
     
     
         4 . Swab as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said layer of said fibre ( 17 ) has a thickness between 0.6 and 3 mm. 
     
     
         5 . Swab as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that in said fibre layer ( 17 ), said fibre has a count between 1.7 and 3.3 Dtex. 
     
     
         6 . Swab as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that in said layer ( 17 ), said fibre has a length and count variable from respectively 0.6 mm and 1.7 Dtex to provide a fine nap, to a length of 3 mm and a count of 3.3 Dtex to provide a long nap. 
     
     
         7 . Swab as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said fibre ( 17 ) is chosen from rayon, polyester, polyamide, carbon fibre, alginate; natural fibres such as cotton and silk; or their mixtures. 
     
     
         8 . Device for collecting and transporting biological specimens characterised by comprising a test-tube ( 10 ) containing a culture medium ( 11 ), and a swab ( 20 ) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims. 
     
     
         9 . Method for preparing a swab ( 20 ) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims characterised by comprising the steps of applying an adhesive to the tip ( 16 ) of said rod ( 14 ) of said swab ( 20 ) to be covered by fibre ( 17 ), and subjecting said swab ( 20 ) to flocking with the pre-selected fibre ( 17 ) in an electrostatic field.