Copan Diagnostics has received the Japanese patent (number 2007-523663) for the invention of flocked swabs - Floqswabs - for the collection and transfer of biological samples.
Floqswabs comprise a solid moulded plastic applicator shaft with a tip that can vary in size and shape to serve different anatomical needs.
The tip of the applicator is coated with short nylon fibres that are arranged in a perpendicular fashion.
This arrangement results from a process called 'flocking', where the fibres are sprayed onto the tip of the swab, while it is held in an electrostatic field.
Copan said that its application of flocking technology has transformed the way biological swab samples are perceived.
The Floqswabs absorb a greater volume of sample and release the entire sample into all assay platforms.
