Biological sample collection swab

Abstract

The utility model provides a biological sample collecting swab which is characterized in that the biological sample collecting swab comprises a swab head, a connecting rod and a handheld part, and the swab head is located at one end of the connecting rod and used for collecting a biological sample; the handheld part is located at the other end of the connecting rod, the width of the handheld part is equal to or larger than that of the connecting rod, and handheld is facilitated; the surface of the swab head is further provided with color-changeable flocking, after the biological sample is detected, the surface of the swab head changes color, and the effectiveness of sample collection can be judged conveniently.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, specifically to a biological sample collection swab. Background Technology

[0002] Biosample collection swabs are typically used by doctors to insert into patients' bodies to collect biological samples for applications such as respiratory and gynecological examinations. The collection of biological samples is crucial for disease diagnosis and treatment, providing vital information about a patient's health. However, hospital tests often involve long queues and slow results. With the widespread use of internet technology, users can choose to collect samples at home and have them delivered to hospitals or testing centers by delivery riders, avoiding queues and receiving results faster. However, existing biosample collection swabs are more suited to doctors' usage habits. When users use them independently, incorrect usage can lead to invalid samples or even harm to the body. Therefore, existing collection swabs are not suitable for users to collect biological samples independently. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a biological sample collection swab suitable for users to collect samples themselves. To achieve the above objective, this invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0004] A biological sample collection swab, characterized in that it includes a swab head, a connecting rod, and a handle.

[0005] The swab head is located at one end of the connecting rod and is used to collect biological samples;

[0006] The hand-held part is located at the other end of the connecting rod, and its width is equal to or greater than the width of the connecting rod, making it easy to hold.

[0007] The swab head surface is also provided with color-changing flocking. After detecting a biological sample, the surface of the swab head changes color, which makes it easier to determine the validity of the sample collection.

[0008] The widest area of ​​the swab head is fitted with color-changing flocking. When a biological sample is detected, the widest area of ​​the swab head changes color, forming a color-changing ring on the swab head. This allows for easy determination of the validity of the sample collection based on the intensity of the color.

[0009] The swab also includes a baffle, one end of which is a connecting rod and the other end is a handheld part;

[0010] The baffle is wider than the handheld part and the connecting rod, and is the widest part of the swab, used to limit the depth of the swab entering the body.

[0011] The baffle is designed to transition between the handgrip and the connecting rod, with the baffle gradually widening from the connecting rod to the baffle and gradually narrowing from the baffle to the handle.

[0012] The swab head is generally teardrop-shaped, and the end of the swab head away from the connecting rod is wider than the end where the swab head and the rod are connected.

[0013] The connecting rod is also provided with a break section, which is configured to have a diameter smaller than that of the connecting rod, and the break section has the narrowest part of the swab; the break section is configured to have a diameter smaller than that of the connecting rod, and the break section has the narrowest part of the swab; or, the break section is configured to have a material strength lower than that of the connecting rod, and when the connecting rod is subjected to a preset range of force, it breaks at the break section.

[0014] The connecting rod, baffle, and handle are made of ABS material with a PTFE coating to reduce friction during in-body sampling. The ratio of the handle length to the swab length ranges from 0.2 to 0.6. The connecting rod, baffle, and handle are integrally injection molded. The handle surface has an etched texture to increase friction.

[0015] The biological sample collection swab proposed in this invention features a color-changing flocking on the swab head surface, allowing the validity of the collected biological sample to be determined by the change in the intensity of the color. Furthermore, a safety baffle is incorporated into the sampling rod to prevent users from inserting the swab too deeply and injuring themselves.

[0016] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the disclosure of this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments disclosed in this application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0019] In the diagram: 1-swab head; 2-broken part; 3-connecting rod; 4-baffle; 5-handheld part. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this disclosure or its application or use.

[0022] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0023] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0024] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.

[0025] Biological sample collection swabs have a wide range of applications, including throat swabs, nasal swabs, and vaginal swabs for female users. Biological samples include, but are not limited to, the following: respiratory samples, including sputum, throat swabs, and nasopharyngeal swabs, used to diagnose lung and respiratory tract infections; genital specimens, primarily used to diagnose sexually transmitted infections, and samples may include cervical swabs, vaginal swabs, urethral swabs, or lesions; and ear canal specimens, used to diagnose ear canal or middle ear infections. The collection of these samples is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, providing important information about a patient's health status.

[0026] When users use the device independently, they may experience pain or physical injury due to improper operation, or they may not know whether a sample has been collected. This embodiment addresses this by using a customized disposable biological sample collection swab. Through color-changing flocking, a flying wing safety baffle, and biosafety materials with the lowest possible coefficient of friction, it enables users to promptly detect the validity of their self-sampling samples and ensures near-zero sense of safety during use.

[0027] <First Embodiment>

[0028] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, the biological sample collection swab includes a swab head 1, a connecting rod 3, and a handheld part 5. The swab head 1 is located at one end of the connecting rod 3 and is used to collect biological samples.

[0029] The handle 5 is located at the other end of the connecting rod 3, and its width is equal to or greater than the width of the connecting rod for easy gripping. In some embodiments, the handle 5 is the swab connecting rod 3, such as a respiratory sampling swab. In some embodiments, the handle portion of the handle 5 is also provided with a textured surface to increase friction and prevent the handle from slipping during use, thus affecting the user experience.

[0030] The surface of the swab head 1 is also provided with color-changing flocking. After detecting a biological sample, the surface of the swab head changes color, which makes it easier to determine the validity of the collected biological sample.

[0031] When using the swab, the user holds the handle 5 and inserts one end of the swab head 1 into the body to collect biological samples. The surface of the swab head 1 is covered with color-changing flocking, or the widest area is covered with moisture-sensitive color-changing flocking, creating a color-changing ring effect. After collecting a biological sample, the user can determine whether a sample has been collected based on the depth of the color change. The flocking color-changing technology can be one or a combination of moisture-sensitive color changing, pH-sensitive color changing (acidity / alkalinity), and thermosensitive color changing.

[0032] In some embodiments, the determination of sample validity includes, but is not limited to, the following scenarios: If the swab head color changes, the sample is valid; if the color does not change, the sample is invalid. If the swab head color changes, the sample is invalid; if the color does not change, the sample is valid. If the swab head color changes and the color depth is within a preset range (usually indicated by a colorimetric card), the sample is valid; if the color depth is outside the preset range, the sample is invalid. If the swab head color changes and the color depth is within a preset range (usually indicated by a colorimetric card), the sample is invalid; if the color depth is outside the preset range, the sample is valid. If the swab head color changes and the color is a preset color, the sample is valid; if the color is not a preset color, the sample is invalid. If the swab head color changes and the color is a preset color, the sample is invalid; if the color is not a preset color, the sample is valid.

[0033] In some embodiments, the swab head surface is provided with two or more color-changing rings. In this case, the position of the color-changing rings is not limited to the widest part of the swab head; it can be any part of the swab head, and each color-changing ring has a different color-changing principle. For example, when there are two color-changing rings, there can be one for humidity sensitivity and one for pH (acidity / alkalinity), or a combination of heat sensitivity and humidity sensitivity, with pH sensitivity as a separate ring. When there are three color-changing rings, multiple color-changing principles can be combined to indicate the effectiveness of the sample; for example, there can be one for heat sensitivity, one for humidity sensitivity, and one for pH sensitivity. By setting multiple color-changing rings and employing multiple color-changing technologies, the accuracy of color-changing indication of sample effectiveness can be improved.

[0034] In some embodiments, the color-changing flocking can cover any position and any shape of the swab head. The color-changing flocking can cover the entire swab head, or be attached to the surface of the swab head in any shape such as a ring, strip, or circle; it can also cover at least the top, middle, bottom, or side of the swab head to more prominently prompt the user to observe the color change of the swab head.

[0035] In some embodiments, the flocking used for the swab head lock is generally made using a short-fiber flocking process such as polyester (PE) synthetic fibers or nylon fibers. The characteristic of this type of swab is that the fibers are similarly implanted onto the handle using electrostatic flocking technology, forming a small brush structure with protruding surfaces, making it easier to collect biological samples.

[0036] In some embodiments, for user-sampling scenarios involving gynecological swabs, the lack of professional medical knowledge among users makes improper operation and sample failures common. Furthermore, the validity of the biological sample cannot be promptly assessed upon completion of self-sampling, leading to the discovery of invalid samples only after the samples are transported to the testing center, necessitating repeated sampling and wasting time. By incorporating color-changing flocking on the swab head surface, the validity of the sample is indicated by a color change upon contact with the biological sample, thus improving the efficiency of user self-sampling.

[0037] <Second Embodiment>

[0038] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, the swab also includes a baffle 4, one end of which is a connecting rod and the other end is a handheld part. The width of the baffle 4 is greater than that of the handheld part and the connecting rod. The baffle 4 is the widest part of the swab and is used to limit the depth of the swab entering the body.

[0039] Based on the user's operation of the swab, the baffle 4 can be considered to divide the swab into two areas: the insertion area and the handheld area. The part with the swab head is the insertion area, and the part with the handle is the handheld area. In some embodiments, the ratio of the handheld length to the swab length ranges from 0.2 to 0.6. For gynecological sampling swabs, the ratio of the insertion area to the handheld area is 3:2, with the insertion area being 8cm and the handheld area approximately 5cm. The connection between the baffle 4 and the handheld area and the connecting rod is also designed with a smooth transition, specifically widening from the connecting rod to the baffle 4 and narrowing from the baffle 4 to the handle, providing the user with a smooth transition between the sections.

[0040] Taking gynecological sampling swabs as an example, when users insert the swab into the vagina themselves, they cannot directly see the sampling process and are unclear or unable to control the depth to which the swab needs to penetrate. If the insertion is too shallow, no biological sample can be collected; if it is too deep, it may damage the body. The safety baffle 4 can limit the depth of the swab entering the body. During the insertion process, the user can touch the baffle to determine whether the sampling position has been reached, avoiding excessive insertion and damage to the body, thus improving the safety of the user in operating the swab.

[0041] <Third Embodiment>

[0042] In this embodiment, the connecting rod is also provided with a broken portion, which is configured to have a diameter smaller than that of the connecting rod. The broken portion has the narrowest part of the swab, such as... Figure 1As shown, the break point 2 is formed by setting a V-shaped groove around the connecting rod. The bottom of the V-shaped groove is the thinnest part of the connecting rod, which is also the first place where the connecting rod breaks after being subjected to force. This is called the break point.

[0043] In some embodiments, the break portion 2 is configured as a section with a material strength lower than other parts of the connecting rod, so that when the connecting rod is subjected to a predetermined range of force, it will break first at the break portion 2.

[0044] In some embodiments, the swab head and connecting rod are connected in a detachable manner, such as plug-in, snap-on, or threaded locking, which improves connection stability and allows users to quickly assemble and disassemble.

[0045] After collecting the sample, break the swab into two pieces. Place the piece containing the swab head into the preservation solution, ensuring that the swab head remains immersed in the solution. This helps maintain the activity of the sample during long-term transportation and extends the preservation time.

[0046] In some embodiments, the transportation and testing of swabs pose a risk of viral transmission, such as with respiratory swabs. Swabs that are too long are also inconvenient to preserve and transport, as are gynecological swabs. Taking gynecological swabs as an example, users typically collect samples at home, often lacking testing equipment, and need to transport the samples to a nearby testing center. Because the swab rod (i.e., the connecting rod) is relatively long, it is inconvenient to preserve and transport. During transportation, external environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, contamination, and physical damage (such as vibration and pressure) can cause the originally valid sample to deteriorate or become invalid. In this embodiment, the user places a small section of the swab with the sample head attached into a preservation box at the break point. The sample head is immersed in preservation solution, and only the preservation box is transported. This reduces the risk of transmission, saves space during transportation, and facilitates preservation and transportation.

[0047] <Fourth Embodiment>

[0048] In this embodiment, the swab head can have various shapes, including but not limited to teardrop, hemispherical, umbrella-shaped variable diameter brush head, and V-shaped brush head. The main purpose is to increase the contact area. For example, the teardrop shape, which is a design that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, can increase the contact area between the swab head and the sample, making it easier to collect more samples.

[0049] In some embodiments, the swab head is made of a softer, more skin-friendly material, such as nylon flocking, rubber, silicone, or sponge, to improve the comfort of the collection process.

[0050] In some embodiments, at least two of the connecting rod, baffle, and handle are integrally molded. For example, all three components—connecting rod, baffle, and handle—are integrally molded. Methods for integral molding include injection molding, extrusion molding combined with special treatment, rotational molding, 3D printing, and foam molding. The swab handle is made of flexible materials (such as silicone, PTFE, etc.), or plastic materials such as medical-grade ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), polypropylene, and polyethylene, with medical-grade ABS being preferred. The surface of the swab handle may also use a PTFE coating to reduce frictional resistance during intra-body sampling, minimizing pain upon swab insertion and providing a better user experience.

[0051] Taking gynecological sampling swabs as an example, in scenarios where users collect samples themselves, they cannot visually observe the swab being inserted into the vagina. It's difficult to control the required insertion point and depth, potentially damaging the vaginal wall during insertion, or causing injury if inserted too deeply. By using flexible ABS material for the swab and a friction-reducing PTFE coating, the possibility of user injury due to improper operation is effectively reduced, improving the user experience.

Claims

1. A biological sample collection swab, characterized in that, Includes the swab head, connecting rod, and handle. The swab head is located at one end of the connecting rod and is used to collect biological samples; The hand-held part is located at the other end of the connecting rod, and its width is equal to or greater than the width of the connecting rod, making it easy to hold. The swab head surface is also provided with color-changing flocking. After detecting a biological sample, the surface of the swab head changes color, which makes it easier to determine the validity of the collected biological sample.

2. The swab according to claim 1, characterized in that, The widest area of ​​the swab head is fitted with color-changing flocking. When a biological sample is detected, the widest area of ​​the swab head changes color, forming a color-changing ring on the swab head. This allows for easy determination of the validity of the sample collection based on the intensity of the color.

3. The swab according to claim 1, characterized in that, The swab also includes a baffle, one end of which is a connecting rod and the other end is a handheld part; The baffle is wider than the handle and connecting rod, and is the widest part of the swab, used to limit the depth to which the swab enters the body.

4. The swab according to claim 3, characterized in that, The baffle is designed to transition between the handheld part and the connecting rod, specifically widening from the connecting rod to the baffle and narrowing from the baffle to the handle.

5. The swab according to claim 1, characterized in that, The swab head is generally teardrop-shaped, and the end of the swab head away from the connecting rod is wider than the end where the swab head and the rod are connected.

6. The swab according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting rod is also provided with a break section, which is configured to have a diameter smaller than that of the connecting rod, and the break section has the narrowest part of the swab; Alternatively, the fracture section may be made of a material with lower strength than other parts of the connecting rod, so that the connecting rod will break at the fracture section when subjected to a preset range of force.

7. The swab according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connecting rod, baffle, and handheld part are made of ABS material with a PTFE coating to reduce frictional resistance during in-body sampling.

8. The swab according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ratio of the length of the handheld part to the length of the swab is in the range of 0.2-0.

6.

9. The swab according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting rod, baffle, and handpiece are integrally formed.

10. The swab according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface of the handheld part is provided with an etched texture to increase friction.

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