Flocked Swab with Twisted Wire Core for Specimen Collection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swabs for collecting biological specimens lack improvements in design and functionality, particularly in terms of absorbency and specimen collection efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A flocked brush or swab with a twisted wire core, featuring a layer of fibers on the tip and/or stem that are disposed by flocking, enhancing absorbency and specimen collection capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gluing or electrostatic flocking is used to attach fibers to the swab tip, then the fibers can be stabilized, but the absorbency and specimen collection efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a wire core with a polymer coating layer, where the polymer layer is configured to enhance fiber adherence while maintaining absorbency. This composite approach allows the fiber layer to be securely attached through the polymer matrix while preserving the hydrophilic properties needed for efficient specimen collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the fiber coating layer, including its thickness, porosity, and hydrophilicity, to optimize both fiber stability and absorbency. By controlling these parameters, the invention achieves reliable fiber adherence while maintaining high specimen collection efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple cylindrical rod structure is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the specimen collection performance is ordinary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the swab into distinct functional segments: a wire core providing structural integrity, a polymer coating layer providing fiber adherence and absorbency, and a fiber layer providing specimen collection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the fiber layer is contained within or attached to the polymer coating layer, which itself is coated on the wire core. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space for absorbent material while maintaining a compact, manufacturable geometry.
3Quantity of substance
If more fiber material is added to increase absorbency, then the specimen collection capacity improves, but the fiber stability and adherence may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a polymer coating layer as a flexible shell that encapsulates and secures the fiber material. This thin film structure provides a stable matrix that holds the fibers in place while allowing sufficient fiber quantity for effective absorbency. The polymer matrix acts as a binding agent that maintains fiber stability regardless of the amount of absorbent material used.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The flocked swab with a twisted wire core improves specimen collection efficiency and absorbency, providing a more effective tool for clinical and diagnostic analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the layer of fibers being configured to absorb a quantity of a specimen in the layer of fibers
Implementation Method 2
a layer of fibers covering the sleeve and disposed on the at least one sleeve element by flocking
Data Source
AI summary
A swab includes a core wire section having a proximal end and a distal end, an integral tip formed on the distal end, and at least one sleeve element received on the core wire section. The at least one sleeve element has a layer of fibers covering the sleeve and disposed on the at least one sleeve element by flocking, the layer of fibers being configured to absorb a quantity of a specimen in the layer of fibers.