A method of using a Defined Swab for genetic identification of microbes, said method comprising contacting said swab with a target to absorb a sample of said target; extracting said sample from said swab; and microbiologically testing said sample to identify said microbe.

The present disclosure provides devices, systems, kits, methods, and compositions for collecting, storing, transporting, preserving, and culturing anaerobic microorganisms obtained from a subject or a biological sample of the subject (e.g., a human subject).

A specimen collection tube for collection of biological or hazardous specimens with or without transfer media, collection means (swab, capillary tube, brush, or biopsy needle) and screw top cap. The proximal end of the collection means engages the proximal side of the specimen tube to secure the collection means at a given depth near the bottom of the tube, which may contain preservative, transfer, or wash media. The specimen collection tube has engagement means at the distal end to attach additional test tube for transfer and further processing of sample. The bottom of specimen collection tube is penetrable within the center of engagement means so that specimen can be transferred to test tube using centrifugation to force specimen through bottom as collection means is held in place.

A swab for collecting a sample includes a swab support, and a swab pile formed at one side of the swab support. The swab pile has a thickness of 0.5 to 2.5 deniers and a length of 0.8 to 1.0 mm. A method for manufacturing the swab includes: manufacturing a flocking jig by coating an adhesive on the swab support, performing electric charge to the swab pile, and planting a swab pile into one side of the swab support.

Disclosed herein is a method of quantifying mutation burden of skin based on genomic mutations. In some instances, also described herein are methods of reducing skin cancer risk, such as that caused by UV damage or other environmental factor.

A swab includes a core wire section having a proximal end and a distal end, an integral tip formed on the distal end, and at least one sleeve element received on the core wire section. The at least one sleeve element has a layer of fibers covering the sleeve and disposed on the at least one sleeve element by flocking, the layer of fibers being configured to absorb a quantity of a specimen in the layer of fibers.

Disclosed is an integrated device for faeces sampling and occult blood detection, which has functions of quantitative collection, dissolution, filtration, detection with immune test strips of the faecal sample, and is convenient to carry and operate, and the device does not leak any liquid during storage, transportation and detection. The device can accurately collect a constant sample with no pollution and leakage, and can quickly determine results of occult blood without the aid of other items. The device can detect faecal occult blood at any time and at any place, can help to overcome the problem of low rate of inspection due to the inconvenience of faeces submission and inspection, further promote the detection of faecal occult blood, and can improve the early diagnosis and screening rate of colorectal cancer of the population.

The application relates to an applicator (1) for oral administration of a swallowable object (2), in particular a solid dosage form, to a patient, wherein the applicator comprises a housing (3) having a first opening (4) and a second opening (5), the first opening of the housing being configured to be coupled with a liquid reservoir, in particular a drinking vessel, and the second opening of the housing being configured such that the patient can drink therefrom, and a holder (6) disposed within the housing and configured to accommodate the swallowable object, the holder being further configured to allow the swallowable object to be conveyed towards the second opening of the housing when liquid is flowing through the housing from the first opening to the second opening of the housing.

An application device for positioning an absorptive matrix (AM) element within a body cavity includes a tube, the AM element, a release element and a deflector. The AM element is disposed inside the tube in a stored state before exiting the tube towards the distal end in a released state. The release element slides inside the tube along a longitudinal axis of the tube and pushes the AM element out of the tube towards the distal end of the tube as the release element slides farther into the tube. The deflector is disposed at the distal end of the tube and bends the AM element away from the longitudinal axis of the tube as the AM element is pushed out of the tube. The deflector is an extension of the wall of the tube that protrudes from the distal end and bends inward towards the longitudinal axis of the tube.

A collection system including a storage tray and a swab positioned in the storage tray, wherein the swab is configured to collect a sample comprising one or more microorganisms. The system further includes a generally elongate storage device positioned in the tray. The storage device is configured to contain a culture medium therein and configured to receive therein at least part of the one or more microorganisms collected by the swab. The storage tray includes a first recess configured to receive the storage device in a longitudinal configuration, and a second recess configured to receive the storage device in an axial configuration oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal configuration.