The present invention relates to a swab applicator (1) for use with a sampling cloth (4) comprising a swab rod (2) and an elongated swab head (3) disposed at an end of the swab rod (2) and the swab rod and head are connected to one another at a breakable section (5) which comprises two connection walls (6) formed integrally with the swab rod (2) and head (3) and a through hole (7) extending transversally on the central longitudinal axis of the breakable section (5) and delimited by the connection walls (6), wherein each of the connection walls (6) has two lateral side faces that taper in the proximity of the breakable section (5) towards its central transverse axis resulting in a pre-determined minimum length and thickness of each of the two connection walls (6) proximally to the central transverse axis of the breakable section (5) such that the two connection walls (6) are strong enough to hold the swab rod (2) and swab head (3) together during normal use of the applicator (1) and breakable upon application of a breaking force to the swab rod (2). The invention also relates to a swab kit comprising the swab applicator (1) and the sampling cloth (4).

The invention is generally a nasal pharyngeal and oral swab that may be mass-produced via three-dimensional (3D) printing. To achieve the right materials for 3D printing the swabs, exemplary embodiments employ a set of materials that result in a rigid structure that has bendable properties (at least in the neck or stem region of the swab), but more rigid and bridle properties at a breakpoint of the swab. In exemplary embodiments, this may be achieved by constructing the device of a first photosensitive material that is generally soft and bendable when cured, and a second photosensitive material that is generally rigid and brittle when cured, wherein the soft bendable material comprises of about 70% to 90% of the photosensitive composition used to 3D print the swab, and the rigid and brittle material comprises of about 30% to 10% of the photosensitive composition used to 3D print the swab.

A biological sample collection device 10 is disclosed including a shaped sample collecting tip 20a, said tip at least being formed from a fibrous material mixed with a liquid to form a pulp, said pulp being solidified to form the shape of the tip.

Swab (1) for collecting samples of biological material, comprising: an elongated body (2), having at least a portion with substantially axial development, a collection element (3) for samples of bio-logical material, positioned on the elongated body (2), wherein the collection element (3) is configured for, and destined to, being introduced within the mouth of a subject and is configured for collecting and retaining and/or preserving a sample of biological material, in particular saliva of the subject, an engagement element (5), in particular a stopper, positioned in correspondence of a predefined portion of the elongated body (2), the engagement element (5) being configured for being held, in use, by a subject and for being removably engaged with a container (7) for samples of biological material, wherein the engagement element (5) comprises a fragrance (102) and is configured for causing, in use, a stimulation of the production of saliva when brought near the nose of the subject.

An apparatus comprises a body and a conduit. The body comprises an absorbent material. The conduit is in fluid communication with the body. The conduit has a suction opening positioned within the absorbent material. The conduit is operable to draw fluid away from the absorbent material. The apparatus may be positioned within the posterior choana or the nasopharynx of a patient using a deployment instrument. The apparatus may prevent fluids from draining from the nasal cavity into the patient's throat. In some instances, the apparatus is used as a plug during a sinus irrigation procedure to prevent irrigation fluid from traveling down the patient's throat.

The invention refers to a swab kit for sampling specimens from humans or animals, comprising a swab applicator (1) comprising a swab rod (2) having an extremity (E) and a sampling cloth (4) made of a low-absorbent flexible fabric, wherein the sampling cloth (4) is fixed to and wound, preferably in a spiral, in overlapping turns (T) around the swab rod (2), over a swab rod end region neighboring the extremity (E), in such a manner that at least an edge portion of the sampling cloth (4) overtops the extremity (E) by at least 1 mm when measured in a longitudinal direction of the swab rod (2).

The present invention relates to a swab applicator (1) for use with a sampling cloth (4) comprising a swab rod (2) and an elongated swab head (3) disposed at an end of the swab rod (2) and the swab rod and head are connected to one another at a breakable section (5) which comprises two connection walls (6) formed integrally with the swab rod (2) and head (3) and a through hole (7) extending transversally on the central longitudinal axis of the breakable section (5) and delimited by the connection walls (6), wherein each of the connection walls (6) has two lateral side faces that taper in the proximity of the breakable section (5) towards its central transverse axis resulting in a pre-determined minimum length and thickness of each of the two connection walls (6) proximally to the central transverse axis of the breakable section (5) such that the two connection walls (6) are strong enough to hold the swab rod (2) and swab head (3) together during normal use of the applicator (1) and breakable upon application of a breaking force to the swab rod (2).

The invention also relates to a swab kit comprising the swab applicator (1) and the sampling cloth (4).

The present invention relates to a swab applicator (1) for use with a sampling cloth (4) comprising a swab rod (2) and an elongated swab head (3) disposed at an end of the swab rod (2) and the swab rod and head are connected to one another at a breakable section (5) which comprises two connection walls (6) formed integrally with the swab rod (2) and head (3) and a through hole (7) extending transversally on the central longitudinal axis of the breakable section (5) and delimited by the connection walls (6), wherein each of the connection walls (6) has two lateral side faces that taper in the proximity of the breakable section (5) towards its central transverse axis resulting in a pre-determined minimum length and thickness of each of the two connection walls (6) proximally to the central transverse axis of the breakable section (5) such that the two connection walls (6) are strong enough to hold the swab rod (2) and swab head (3) together during normal use of the applicator (1) and breakable upon application of a breaking force to the swab rod (2). The invention also relates to a swab kit comprising the swab applicator (1) and the sampling cloth (4).

A cotton bud with a rod-like grip body and with a bud body that is arranged at least at one free end of the grip body. The rod-like grip body is a biologically degradable extrusion body, and includes natural fibers embedded into a material matrix.

A method of manufacturing a swab for collecting a biological specimen includes extruding a first portion of a stem with at least one of a first taper and/or a first wall thickness, and extruding a second portion of the stem with at least one of a second taper and/or a second wall thickness.