Original content provided by Copan.
What is a Flocked Swab?
Flocked swabs are an innovative sampling tool designed to enhance the collection of specimens for laboratory testing, especially in the realm of microbiology and molecular diagnostics. Unlike traditional cotton swabs, flocked swabs feature a unique structure with nylon fibers arranged perpendicular to the shaft, allowing for superior absorption and release of specimens. Flocked swabs are most commonly used in microbiology, virology, molecular biology, forensics, and environmental sampling.
This unique design maximizes the collection of respiratory epithelial cells and minimizes contamination, making flocked swabs ideal for testing viral infections such as influenza. Their ergonomic design not only improves the efficiency of sample collection but also ensures a more comfortable experience for patients, which is crucial in clinical settings.
Invented by Copan, flocked swabs are a special type of swab produced with an applicator tip that is spray-coated with short nylon® fibres arranged perpendicularly. Unlike traditional swabs made with materials that can trap the specimen, flocked swabs use a thin absorbent layer of nylon® fibres with no internal core, allowing greater sample uptake and release.
How Were Flocked Swabs Invented?
In the early 2000s, Copan Group’s CEO & Founder Daniele Triva had a breakthrough idea for a new type of swab that would be a game-changer in the industry and would prove itself by outperforming any traditional fibre swabs on the market. This new ‘flocked swab’ had an innovative new tip design where the tip is spray-coated with a thin layer of nylon® fibres onto a solid plastic shaft.
This thin absorbent layer of fibres allow for substantial swab performance improvements in quick sample uptake and elution. Copan’s unique quantitative approach to diagnostics and passion for innovation drove research and development, and as a result, Copan invented and introduced the first flocked swabs to the market in 2004.
Flocked Swabs vs. Traditional Swabs
The flocked swab tip is coated with perpendicularly sprayed on nylon® fibers. This coating creates a thin absorbent layer that allows for quick sample uptake and elution of more than 90% of the sample.
Compare this elution to traditionally spun swabs that trap most of the specimen in the ‘mattress’ structure, trapping the specimen and reducing testing sensitivity. It’s easy to see why FLOQSwabs® is used by more and more laboratories and medical institutions around the world.
Copan FLOQSwabs® vs. Other Flocked Swabs
As the original inventor of flocked swab technology, Copan hasn't stopped innovating new and better ways to collect samples. Committed to creating better products, Copan has been refining and improving flocking technology for decades.
Working with the microbiology community to set the international protocols for testing transport swabs. The M40-A Quality Control of Microbiological Transport Systems standard, by CLSI (fka NCCLS), created a new performance benchmark for swab collection and transport systems for users and manufacturers. They demonstrated Copan’s devotion to excellence in quality and preanalytical innovation.
Scientific Studies
Copan FLOQSwabs® superior performance is backed by research, and many peer-reviewed studies prove the effectiveness and superiority of Flocked Swabs over traditional swabs. Visit Copan's Scientific Studies Page to read the latest publications.
What Kind of FLOQSwabs® Are Available?
FLOQSwabs® flocked swabs are available in many sizes and shapes to fit a variety of applications. Anatomically designed flocked swabs were developed out of extensive collaboration with physicians. The resulting FLOQSwabs® designs are optimized for the target analyte collection’s efficiency and reproducibility, enhanced flow dynamics, assay sensitivity, and expanded testing capabilities.
View the collection of intuitively and anatomically designed flocked swabs.