What are the general standards for Disposable sterile sampling swabs to meet?

Disposable sterile sampling swabs are free from bacteria or other living microorganisms. Generally used for biological sample collection to avoid sample contamination, and for medical use to avoid infection.

The material and appearance design of the sampling swab will directly affect the sample collection effect. So, what standards do disposable sterile sampling swabs generally meet?

Sampling swab head

Synthetic fibers such as PE synthetic fibers, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, and rayon fibers should be used for the manufacture of sampling swab tips.

• Natural fibers such as cotton are not recommended

Because the fiber of cotton has a strong adsorption of protein, it is not easy to be eluted into the subsequent preservation solution;

• Do not use calcium alginate sponges or wooden stick swabs (including bamboo sticks) for the head of the sampling swab.

Because the broken wooden sticks or bamboo sticks containing calcium alginate and wooden components will also adsorb proteins after being soaked in the preservation solution, and even have an inhibitory effect on the subsequent PCR reaction.

Sampling swab handle

The material for making the swab handle is recommended to use hollow polystyrene (PS) extruded tube, Polypropylen (PP) injection indentation tube or ABS plastic (high strength and good toughness), no calcium alginate can be added regardless of the material used Class auxiliaries; wooden sticks or bamboo skewers are not recommended.

There are two types of swab handles: broken type and built-in type.

1. Put the broken swab into the storage tube after sampling, and then break it off near the sampling head and then tighten the tube cover.

2. The built-in swab can directly put the sampling swab into the storage tube after sampling, and then align the small hole built in the cap of the storage tube to the top of the handle and tighten the cap.

Comparing the two methods, the latter is relatively safe. When a broken swab is used with a smaller storage tube, it may cause the liquid in the tube to splash out when broken, and full attention should be paid to the possible contamination risk caused by improper use of the product.

In short, the sampling swab should ensure the sampling volume and release volume, and the selected material must not contain substances that affect subsequent detection.

Characteristics of Sampling Swabs from Shenzhen Medico Technology Co., GmbH.

• Flocked swabs, the swab head adopts a unique jet implanted nylon fiber technology, which increases the collection and release of specimens, and increases the number of specimens collected from 20% of traditional sampling swabs to 60%

• The swab handle adopts ABS rod/PP rod, and the rod has a unique breakable design, which is convenient for specimen transportation

• The fluffy texture can collect more target analytes

• There is no residual specimen, and the specimen processing is accelerated

• Medical sterilization to ensure sterility

• It adopts the internationally accepted paper-plastic packaging that is convenient for sterilization, which is convenient for use.

MEDICO Sampling Swabs: https://www.medicoswab.com/products/specimen-collection-swab/