We all know about cotton swabs, but we may not be aware of flocked sampling swabs. In this article, we will discuss what flocked swabs are and what the advantages of flocked swabs over cotton swabs are.
I. What is a flocked swab like?
Flocking is the process of applying multiple lengths of fiber to an adherent coated surface; if the swab head is flocked, it is a flocked swab.
It is a disposable sampling swab composed of nylon short fiber lint head and ABS plastic rod. It is used for oral, nasopharyngeal, sampling, cervical and vaginal sampling, laboratory testing, etc.
Second, the advantages of flocked swabs
1. Sampling more comfortable, more convenient to use.
Our company uses the existing technology "spray technology", through the electrostatic charge flocking process vertically millions of nylon microfibers attached to the head of the medical grade handle. The vertical nylon fibers act like a soft brush, and the use of this soft brush during the sampling process allows the user to feel no foreign objects. At the same time, the flocked swabs used in different parts of the body take different break points, and the rods use different thicknesses to make the softness different.
For example, the nasal swab is thinner and softer at the upper end of the rod and has a longer break point.
2. Flocked swab sample release is greater.
The capillary action between the nylon fiber bundles promotes strong hydraulic absorption of the liquid sample. The sample stays on the surface, making elution easier. In contrast, with conventional cotton swabs, most of the collected sample remains trapped in the fibrous matrix of the head and is not easily released or released in small amounts. It has been shown that flocked swabs can release up to 95% of the sample, compared to standard fiber-tipped swabs that can release 25%. The use of flocked swabs is particularly important if the sample size is particularly small.
3. Flocked swabs are biocompatible, making them ideal for PCR work.
To limit damage to the sample and improve the accuracy of the assay, swabs are made from completely inert components. This makes flocked swabs ideal for PCR work . Thus, for scientists using PCR techniques, the new flocked swabs are PCR compatible and free of RNA enzymes and DNA enzymes.
