An improved two-part swab applicator is provided, having a handle section and a receptacle section that are engaged through coupling and an end cap. A stem having a swab attached at one end is encompassed by both sections with the swab nesting within the receptacle section. The receptacle section has a hollow body and a plurality of ribs on the body to prevent the applicator from rolling and the liquid from spilling. The receptacle section may also have a collar with one or more notches to prevent rolling of the receptacle section. The end cap may have a collar with one or more notches that prevent the handle section and/or the applicator from rolling and catches any drips of the liquid when the swab is removed for use. The end cap also has a plurality of ribs on its body that prevents the applicator from rolling. The handle and receptacle sections nest in each other with a snug fit and mate and decouple with a twisting or rotating action of the end cap that also serves as a drip shield preventing the liquid from dripping. When connected, any liquid contained in the receptacle section is securely air sealed by the snug contact of the receptacle and handle sections. The swab may be impregnated with a medicine or liquid. Alternatively, the swab may be sterile and is used to collect a tissue or excretion sample from humans or animals. After use, the swab may be returned to the receptacle section and the air-tight seal reformed for sanitary disposal or further transport for analysis of the collected sample. The swab may be used on an exterior part or body cavity of a human or an animal.

Described herein are purge swab apparatuses, purge swabs kits, and methods for collecting a sample using a purge swab. In various embodiments, a purge swab includes an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length therebetween. The purge swab further includes a swab head having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the proximal end of the swab head is attached to the distal end of the elongated body and the swab head includes a plurality of openings. The purge swab optionally includes a lumen extending from the proximal or distal end of the elongated body into at least a portion of the swab head, and the lumen is in fluidic communication with the plurality of openings.

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

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

A method of ion imaging is disclosed that includes automatically sampling a plurality of different locations on a sample using a front device which is arranged and adapted to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from the sample. Mass spectral data and/or ion mobility data corresponding to each location is obtained and the obtained mass spectral data and/or ion mobility data is used to construct, train or improved a sample classification model.

A method of ion imaging is disclosed that includes automatically sampling a plurality of different locations on a sample using a front device which is arranged and adapted to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from the sample. Mass spectral data and/or ion mobility data corresponding to each location is obtained and the obtained mass spectral data and/or ion mobility data is used to construct, train or improved a sample classification model.

A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

A swab includes a stick having a handgrip section and a tip section. The tip section includes a plurality of lobes arranged axially along a longitudinal axis of the stick. More particularly, the lobes include a first lobe located at a distal end of the stick and at least one second lobe axially offset from the first lobe. The diameter of the first lobe is smaller than the diameter of the second lobe. Fibers are attached to the tip section for collecting a specimen from an anatomical cavity of a patient. A stop plate may also be provided for removable attachment to the stick for adjusting the extent to which the tip section can be inserted into the cavity.

A swab includes a stick having a handgrip section and a tip section. The tip section includes a plurality of lobes arranged axially along a longitudinal axis of the stick. More particularly, the lobes include a first lobe located at a distal end of the stick and at least one second lobe axially offset from the first lobe. The diameter of the first lobe is smaller than the diameter of the second lobe. Fibers are attached to the tip section for collecting a specimen from an anatomical cavity of a patient. A stop plate may also be provided for removable attachment to the stick for adjusting the extent to which the tip section can be inserted into the cavity.