Product Detail

Description
Disposable Sampler, 10 mL Vial with 3 mL VTM, with Individually Wrapped and Sterile Oropharyngeal Swabs

Description
Disposable Sampler, 5 mL Vial with 2.5 mL VTM,10 Vials/pk, 100 Vials/cs

Description
Disposable Sampler, 10 mL Vial with 3 mL VTM, 10 Vials/pk, 100 Vials/cs

Specialized nutrient medium

Viral Transport Media (VTM) is a specialized nutrient medium that keeps viral specimens stable and viable during their travel from the collection site to the laboratory. Its major function is to prevent desiccation, preserve virus genetic material, and aid in downstream diagnostic procedures.

Composition specifications: Nasal swab, throat swab, oropharyngeal swab, nasopharyngeal swab
Sampling tube specifications: 10ml sampling tube, 7ml sampling tube, 5ml sampling tube, configured according to customer requirements.

A nasopharyngeal (NP) swab is a specialized medical device used to collect samples from the nasopharynx – the upper part of the throat behind the nose. It’s considered the gold standard for respiratory virus detection due to its ability to obtain high-quality specimens from the area where viruses typically replicate.

Key Features of Modern NP Swabs

• Flexible shaft: Allows comfortable insertion along the nasal passage
• Soft tip: Minimizes discomfort while ensuring effective sample collection
• Breakable handle: Facilitates safe sample transfer to transport media
• Sterile packaging: Ensures single-use safety and prevents contamination

Primary Medical Applications

1. Respiratory Virus Detection

• COVID-19 testing: Remains the most reliable sampling method for PCR tests
• Influenza diagnosis: For both type A and B strains
• RSV identification: Crucial for pediatric respiratory cases
• Other viruses: Including adenovirus, parainfluenza, and human metapneumovirus

2. Bacterial Infection Diagnosis

• Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough)
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Neisseria meningitidis carriage detection
• MRSA screening in hospital settings

3. Specialized Testing

• Genetic testing: For inherited conditions
• Microbiome studies: Research on nasal microbiota
• Antibiotic resistance: Monitoring programs

Types of Nasopharyngeal Swabs

Proper Collection Technique

1. Prepare patient: Explain procedure and position head slightly tilted back
2. Measure depth: Distance from nostril to earlobe (typically 7-10cm in adults)
3. Insert gently: Along nasal floor parallel to palate
4. Hold position: When meeting resistance (nasopharynx)
5. Rotate slowly: 5-10 seconds to absorb secretions
6. Withdraw carefully: Avoid touching other surfaces
7. Process sample: Immediately place in transport media

Why NP Swabs Are Superior for Respiratory Testing

• Higher viral load: The nasopharynx contains more virus than anterior nares
• Earlier detection: Can identify infections sooner than other methods
• Better accuracy: Lower false-negative rates compared to throat swabs
• Standardization: Accepted by WHO and CDC for respiratory virus testing

Safety Considerations

• Training required: Proper technique minimizes complications
• Patient comfort: May cause temporary tearing or gag reflex
• Contraindications: Recent nasal surgery or severe coagulopathy
• PPE essential: Must use gloves, mask, and eye protection

Future Developments

• Self-collection kits: For at-home testing with proper guidance
• Smart swabs: With indicators for proper sample collection
• Integrated testing: Swabs that can be inserted directly into analyzers

Individually-sealed, sterile, flocked swabs with plastic, breakable shaft. For collecting SARS-CoV-2 and other clinical specimens

SPECIFICATIONS

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

• Tilt patient head back and insert swab into nostril until swab collar touches the outside of the nose.
• Once swab is in place, rotate in a circular motion 2 times and keep in place for 10-15 seconds for optimal sample collection.
• Remove swab from patient and insert tip into an acceptable viral transport medium.
• Break swab shaft against the side of the tube, and close the lid.
• Transport specimen to testing laboratory.

REGULATORY

FDA Status
Manufacturer and product registered, listed, and FDA compliant

Not available in all countries; please inquire.

Manufactured by Chenyang Global.

Description

Flocked Specimen Collection Swabs optimize specimen collection and elution into transport media typically for oral, nose, and throat samples. The swabs feature a breakpoint that allows you to safely and easily break off the swabstick to insert into iClean’s DNA/RNA Preservation Buffer or a third party transport tube.

iClean Nasopharyngeal Swab

Advantages of Flock Swabs

Sample Collection: The tip of the flock swab is filled with dense nylon fibers, a unique structure that can greatly increase the number of samples collected.

Sample Collection: The tip of the flock swab is filled with dense nylon fibers, a unique structure that can greatly increase the number of samples collected.

Why are flock swabs more beneficial for micro DNA collection?

The traditional cotton swab tip is made of cotton fibers entangled into the internal structure. The sampling of this fiber mass will be scattered. The sample remains on the fiber leading to the original content of DNA precipitation and release efficiency, and may even lead to inaccurate results of the test.

The flock swab tip is a unique flocked structure. It can almost completely extract and precipitate trace DNA, so the flock swab has a more obvious advantage in collecting trace DNA.

How does the flock swab release the sample?

• The directional friction effect of the swab fiber layer can completely capture the cell sample.
• Since the cell sample is concentrated on the near surface of the flock swab fiber, more than 95% of the sample can be released eventually.
• The capillary movement between the nylon fibers at the tip of the flock swab forms a strong hydraulic pressure for absorbing liquid or cell-like samples.

Traditional swabs are cotton, but the swabs used for nucleic acid testing are made of polyester or nylon fibers. Do many people ask questions such as why not use cotton swabs for sampling? Are the nylon fibers that fall down the throat harmful to humans? Are flocked swabs sterilized?

Cotton Swabs vs. Flocked Swabs

Cotton swab:

Cotton swab head using medical skim cotton. Cotton swab stick is generally natural birch or bamboo swab, commonly used for wound cleaning, application of pharmaceuticals, etc.

Nylon flocked swabs:

The flocking swab is used to collect samples of viruses, bacteria, and other tools, generally composed of a swab tip and swab stick.

The flocked swab tip is generally made of polyester (polyester), polyamide (nylon), and other chemical synthetic fibers from the flocking process. The swab stick is generally medical-grade ABS plastic with a break point, often used for virus or bacteria sample sampling.

Why use Flocked Nylon Swabs?

1. Flocked swabs are made by nylon fiber flocking technology, the front end is coated with short nylon fibers fixed vertically, like a small brush, and the adsorption efficiency is 20%~60% higher than other swabs.
2. Compared with ordinary swabs, the nucleic acid sampling swab can greatly reduce the time spent collecting samples.
3. There is no absorption hole inside the tip of the nylon flocked swab, which is conducive to faster and more efficient sample elution.
4. Swabs are generally medical-grade ABS plastic with break points, which does not affect the quality of the sample, but also facilitate the handling and transport of samples, often used for virus or bacterial sample sampling.

Why do I feel uncomfortable in my throat after using a nylon flocked swab?

The fibers falling off the swab head may cause some itching in the throat. However, in general, the sampling time is relatively short and will not lead to many fibers falling off, and it is normal for fibers to fall off occasionally.

Are nylon flocked swabs harmful to the human body?

Medical flocked sampling swabs belong to medical devices, not only produced for the record, and there are strict production environment requirements and quality control standards. Qualified products must be non-toxic and harmless. The workshop can only be produced and put into use after meeting the relevant standards of quality supervision, so the flocked swabs are harmless to the human body.

Before the emergence of nylon flocked swabs, most swabs we use daily were made of cotton or polyester. The flocked swab is very different from the traditional swab. It is a kind of disposable sampling swab composed of a nylon short fiber lint head and ABS plastic rod, which greatly affects the production process and performance.

What is Flocked Swab?

• Flocking refers to the process of applying multiple lengths of fiber to the surface of the coating.
• The flocked swabs are made with new spray coating technology. Millions of nylon microfibers are vertically attached to the top of the medical grade handle through the flocking process of electrostatic charge.
• If the tip of the swab is finely flocked, it is a flocked swab.
• Flocked Swabs can collect samples for the oral cavity, stomatitis, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and cervical, and they can also be used for laboratory testing, etc.

The 4 Advantages of Nylon Flocked Swabs

1. Higher Comfort When Sampling

• Vertical nylon fiber is very soft; flocked swabs are like mini brushes. This nylon flocked swab will not cause any discomfort during the sampling process.
• In particular, the upper end of the nasal flocked swab is thinner and softer, so as not to poke the nasal cavity while sampling.

2. Flocked Swab Sample Release is Greater

• The capillary action between the nylon fiber bundles promotes the strong hydraulic absorption of the liquid sample. The sample remains on the surface, making it easier to wash off. With conventional cotton swabs, most of the collected sample remains trapped in the fibrous matrix of the head and is not easily released or released in small amounts.
• Studies have shown that flocked swabs can release up to 95% of the sample, compared to standard fiber-tipped swabs that only release 25% of the specimen. Therefore, flocked swabs are more conducive to complete sampling in the case of a relatively small sample size.

3. Flocked swabs are biocompatible, making them ideal for PCR work.

• The flocked swabs are made of inert ingredients to protect the sample from damage and improve the accuracy of testing the sample.
• Flocked swabs are very suitable for PCR detection. Thus, for scientists using PCR techniques, the new flocked swabs are PCR compatible and RNase and DNase free.

4. Easier sample handling

The specifications of the swabs used for various sampling sites and the flocked swabs are designed with different fracture points. These break points can help you to easily break the sample into the storage vessel after collection, which is very convenient.

Difference between a sampling swab and a cotton bud?

Nylon fiber, polyurethane sponge, or rayon are common materials similar to toothbrushes.

Electrostatic interaction is used to uniformly and vertically cover the end of the swab handle with millions of microscopic fibers.

Elution is simpler and has a higher release rate since the sample obtained by the flocking swab remains on top of the fiber bundle and does not disperse or trap in the fiber. It does not impair the follow-up testing and has no adverse effects on pathogens, contact cells, or tissues.

“Sterile” and “Non-Sterile”?

China medical device evaluation experts said

Sterile: refers to the condition of having no living microorganisms, the medical device bearing the classification “sterile” has completed disinfection, and the theoretical likelihood of any surviving microbes should not be more than ten to the minus 6th power. Usually registered as Class Ⅱ Medical Device in China.

Should  “non-sterilized” swabs be disinfected before use?

It is not recommended to use a disinfectant to sanitize the swab head because this could degrade the sample and compromise the validity of the test results.

If accuracy requirements for sampling and detection exist, sterile swabs are highly recommended.

Why do some sample swabs yellowish and what causes them?

Swabs are individually wrapped, loaded, and delivered to other communities, where they are unpacked, disinfection, and distributed.

The disinfection route is the prime suspect among the other components since it has the potential to oxidize the swab and result in discoloration.

Verified by 11 different disinfectants, the results are as follows:

“＋“: Slight discoloration, “++”: Serious discoloration, “-“: Normal appearance

The sample swab contains some easily oxidized components, such as polyols, isocyanates, and urethanes.

Due to the properties of its substance, it can oxidize under bright light and high temperatures, or it can turn yellow due to gas fumigation when exposed to nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the air.

Nylon fiber generally has a stronger antioxidant capacity than polyurethane sponge swabs.

Swabs unavoidably encounter this phenomenon, hence it is advised to store at 20 to 30 °C avoid light to prevent yellowing.

Ergonomic and Anatomic Design

Improved patient comfort and efficiency in cell specimen collection.

Quantitative Volume Transfer

Measurable and consistent uptake and transfer of subjects.

Increased Assay Sensitivity

Nylon swabs are proven to elute >95% of the original sample rapidly, thus easily resulting in improved assay sensitivity.

Simply Collect, Snap and Ship

Peel open the pouch, collect the cell specimen and snap the flocked swab shaft into the Transport Medium or Cuvette-tube.

Superior Sample Elution

With an open fiber structure, it instantly & spontaneously dislodges the Specimen cells into the liquid Medium.

Perpendicular Nylon Fibers

Act like a soft brush and allows improved collection of cell samples. Capillary action between the Nylon fiber strands facilitates strong hydraulic uptake of cell specimens.

Certified Free of Inhibitors and Interference

Our Nylon swabs are strictly sterilized and certified free of DNAse, RNAse, Human DNA, and PCR inhibitors.

Highly Suited to Automation

Sample eluted in liquid format finally is accessible to Liquid Based Microbiology and automation in the laboratories.

Handle with Premolded Breakpoint

To accommodate different processing systems.

MHRA is the executive government agency under the UK Department of Health and Social Care. It is responsible for ensuring the efficacy and safety of medications and medical devices.

The EU CE certification will no longer be recognized after June 30, 2023, as per the Brexit agreement. To supply medical devices in the UK, a company must have a UK Responsible Person (equivalent to an EU Authorized Representative) and be registered with the UK Responsible Person with the MHRA.

Huachenyang Disposable Sampling Swab Series

Fine flocked fibers are bonded to create a velvety brush using cutting-edge jet-implanted nylon fiber technology. Maximizing the sampling efficiency. Nylon fibers adhere vertically and uniformly to the swab head surface which considerably enhancing the efficiency of sample collection and release to enhancing detection precision.

Huachenayng has established good relationships with more than 30 universities, 50 national research institutions, and 200 tertiary hospitals in China. More than 10 experiments/projects published in Nature, Cell, and EClinicalMedicine have chosen Huachenyang’s swabs.

Some of the projects that used Huachenyang’s swabs

1.

mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants and severe COVID-19 disease in Qatar

Publications: Nature Medicine

Date of publication: 2021

View the Article

2.

Microbiota the microbiota continuum along the female reproductive tract and its relation to uterine-related disease

Publications: Nature Communication

Date of publication: 2017

View the Article

3.

Discrepant gut microbiota markers for the classifcation of obesity related metabolic abnormalities

Publications: Nature Scientific Reports

Date of publication: 2019

View the Article

4.

Detection of persistent SARS‑CoV‑2 IgG antibodies in oral mucosal fuid and upper respiratory tract specimens following COVID‑19 mRNA vaccination

Publications: Nature Scientific Reports

Date of publication: 2021

View the Article

5.

Analytic comparison between three high‑throughput commercial SARS‑CoV‑2 antibody assays reveals minor discrepancies in a high‑incidence population

Publications: Nature Scientific Reports

Date of publication: 2021

View the Article

6.

Therapeutic efficacy of macrolides in management of patients with mild COVID‑19

Publications: Nature Scientific Reports

Date of publication: 2021

View the Article

7.

Characterizing the Qatar advanced‑phase SARS‑CoV‑2 epidemic

Publications: Nature Scientific Reports

Date of publication: 2021

View the Article

8.

Gene‑environment interactions between CREB1 and childhood maltreatment on aggression among male Chinese adolescents

Publications: Nature Scientific Reports

Date of publication: 2022

View the Article

9.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the urban population of Qatar: An analysis of antibody testing on a sample of 112,941 individuals

Publications: Nature Cell iScience

Date of publication: 2021

View the Article

10.

Human papillomavirus prevalence and associated
factors in women and men in south China: a
population-based study

Publications: Emerging Microbes & Infections

Date of publication: 2016

View the Article

11.

SARS-CoV-2 antibody-positivity protects against reinfection for at least seven months with 95% efficacy

Publications: eClinical Medicine

Date of publication: 2021

View the Article

12.

SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in a cohort of 43,000 antibody positive individuals followed for up to 35 weeks

Publications: medRxiv

Date of publication: 2021

View the Article

More and more scientific research, medical and governmental institutions choose Huachenyang’s products, which is not only the recognition and trust of our products but also gives us an additional responsibility. Huachenyang will continue to increase its independent research and development investment, actively introduce high-end biotechnology talents and technology, continue to deepen its work in the field of biological consumables and reagents and continue to provide the market with high-quality and stable products.

At present, the more accurate COVID-19 testing uses RT-PCR to evaluate whether there is SAR-CoV-2 RNA in the collected samples. It is almost certain that the subject is infected with the virus if there is.  In addition to the flocking oropharyngeal swab, there are three sampling swabs used in the nasal cavity, which are nasopharyngeal swab, nasal swab, and mid-turbinate swab.

Differences in the nasopharyngeal swabs, nasal swab, and middle-turbinate swab

1. Nasopharyngeal swab

FEATURES

• The nasopharyngeal test takes a specimen from the back wall of the nasopharynx.
• Some experts said that the viral load in the nasopharyngeal area is higher than anterior nasal area, and that samples from that area are more suitable for virus detection. Some experts said that the viral load in the nasopharyngeal area is higher than the anterior nasal area and that samples from that area are more suitable for virus detection.
• The shaft with breakpoint allows the user to easily place the flocking swab into the sampling tube after collecting the specimen.
• Since the nasopharynx is a sensitive part of the body, patients may feel itchy or painful when collecting samples with a np swab, and they may sneeze.
• The back wall of the nasopharyngeal (nasopharynx) is relatively close to the inside. For safety reasons, you need to be extremely careful when using nasopharyngeal swabs, which means higher requirements for the operator’s technique and slightly lower efficiency.

INDICATIONS

Viruses for respiratory diseases such as influenza, Pertussis, COVID-19, and other medical tests

HOW TO USE

1. Tilt your head to back 70° to keep the swab parallel to the upper jaw, and then slowly insert the swab into the nasal cavity until resistance is encountered.
2. Gently rotate the swab to rub the inner wall of the nasopharynx for 5-10 seconds, and then let it stand for a few seconds to allow the flocking swab to absorb the sample fully.
3. The swab is slowly taken out while rotating, and use the same swab enters the throat in the other nostril to repeat the collection action. 
4. Insert the np swab into the sample storage solution and tighten the lid after breaking off at the breakpoint.

CAUTIONS

• Hand hygiene must be maintained when using nasopharyngeal flocking swabs.
• The user is required to be trained to insert the swab in the correct direction and not to use brute force.
• The patient needs to seek immediate medical attention when he experiences nosebleeds or severe pain.
• People with facial trauma or coagulopathy should choose the anterior nasal swab test or the buccal swab test.

2. Mid-turbinate swab

FEATURES

• Sampling from the middle turbinate position is not as uncomfortable as the nasopharyngeal area.
• There are breakpoints on the flocking swab shaft, which helps to improve the speed and ease of handling samples.
• The flocking mid-turbinate swabs with blocking point prevent you from inserting the swab too deeply and causing injury.

INDICATIONS

Genetic testing, quarantine, physical examination, laboratory virus testing, etc.

HOW TO USE

1. Slowly rotate the mid-turbinate swab into the nostril until resistance is felt at the turbinate.
2. Gently rotate the swab on the turbinate several times for 3-5 seconds.
3. To improve the accuracy of the test, samples can be taken from the turbinate bone of the other nostril using the same swab.
4. After sampling, store the swab in a test tube or sample preservation solution and tighten the lid.

CAUTIONS

• Clean your hands before using the swab to avoid contaminating the mid-turbinate swab.
• If your turbinate is enlarged or your nasal canal is narrow and the swab cannot be inserted before it reaches the turbinate, you should try to get the swab from another nasal cavity, or use an anterior nasal swab, oropharyngeal swab, saliva swab, etc.
• Children’s swabs should be used when taking samples from infants and young children. They are usually shorter and have a smaller tip.

3. Anterior Nasal Swab/Nasal Swab

FEATURES

• It is not easy to cause discomfort to collect samples in the anterior nose position, and people with narrow nasal passages can use it.
• The difficulty of sampling is low and patient can easily complete the anterior nasal sampling on his own.

INDICATIONS

Influenza, covid-149, and other respiratory diseases

HOW TO USE

1. Insert the swab into the front of the nose and rotate it repeatedly. It is recommended to stay in the nasal cavity for 15 seconds to obtain enough samples.
2. You need to take the same flocking swab to the other nasal cavity for collection.

CAUTIONS

• After opening the swab, keep your hands away from the tip of the swab to avoid contamination
• The swab should be inserted into the nostril at least 1 cm and no more than 1.5 cm.
• Repeat the above steps with the same swab on the other nostril to get more samples.
• Due to the low viral load of the sample at the anterior nasal site, the test results may be false negative, so it may be necessary to retest with other methods, depending on the individual’s exposure history and symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Although nasopharyngeal swabs, nasal swabs, and mid-turbinate swabs have different sampling methods, they can all be used to collect samples and then use the PCR results to determine whether the sample owner is infected with covid-19.

If you use the swab for collection yourself, you must purchase the product from a regular medical institution. Read the instructions carefully or watch the operation video before collecting yourself, and the flocking swab cannot be reused.

If you are worried about the inaccuracy of your operating methods or the test results are not true, you should go to the hospital or a particular testing agency to perform the nasal swab PCR test. Only they can provide professional personnel to collect for you, thereby improving the test accuracy and preventing you were infected with a virus brought by others when you were collected.