What is a Flocked Swab?

A Flocked Swab is a specialized sampling tool engineered for maximum specimen collection and release efficiency. Unlike traditional wound-fiber swabs (e.g., cotton), it features a handle and an applicator shaft tipped with vertically aligned nylon fibers attached using electrostatic flocking technology.

This unique “brush-like” structure provides critical advantages:

• Superior Collection: Effectively captures cells and microorganisms from mucosal surfaces (e.g., nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal) or environmental samples.
• High Elution Rate (>95%): Releases nearly all collected specimens into transport media, unlike cotton swabs which trap samples. This dramatically increases test sensitivity, making it the gold standard for PCR and molecular diagnostics (e.g., COVID-19, HPV tests).
• No PCR Inhibitors: The inert synthetic nylon material contains no natural inhibitors found in cotton, ensuring accurate downstream analysis.
• Rapid Absorption & Release: The capillary action of the perpendicular fibers allows for instant sample uptake and subsequent release.

Flocked swabs are the preferred device for critical applications in clinical diagnostics, virology, forensic DNA collection, microbiology, and environmental monitoring.