Field

The disclosed inventions pertain to swabs that can be used to obtain a sample from the nasal or oral cavity of a person and methods of use for such swabs.

Background

Swabs are typically used to obtain a sample of a patient. The sample may be cultured or analyzed to determine the presence of various pathogens. It is a challenge to maximize patient comfort while still harvesting enough useful sample for analysis.

Swabs typically are made out of natural or synthetic fibers. For example, synthetic fibers may be flocked about the tip of a rod in order to capture a specimen, such as in US8317728. Such fibers are known to acceptably collect a sample from the nasal or oral cavity of a patient.

Other swabs attempt to achieve similar sample collection ability as swabs comprising fibers but without the requirement of flocking fibers about the tip. Such swabs are typically made entirely of a single thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers and employ various geometries to collect a sample in the body of the swab. Due to the unique geometries employed, these types of swabs are typically 3D-printed.

A further example of a swab is a swab comprising a head in the shape of an auger, such as in WO2019/136561.

An alternative swab design that could be manufactured more cheaply, easily, and at large quantities would be advantageous.

Summary

As described herein, the inventors have discovered a swab design that may be manufactured by a large-scale industrial manufacturing process. The swab comprises the design as described herein and may be produced by injection molding. Such a swab may have benefits in material cost, manufacturing cost or throughput, or dimensional uniformity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 depicts a swab according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 depicts a detail view of the tip of a swab according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 depicts a detail view of the collector of a swab according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a collector portion of a swab according to an embodiment of the invention, including top perspective view 4A and bottom perspective view 4B.

Fig. 5 depicts a collector portion of a swab according to an embodiment of the invention, including top view 5A, bottom view 5B, and a perspective view of the tip 5C.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 depicts a swab according to an embodiment of the invention. The swab comprises an elongate member 1. The elongate member 1 extends along longitudinal axis 1A. The swab comprises a handle portion 2 and a collector portion 3. The collector portion is present along a length of the elongate member at one end of the elongate member. The handle present along a length of the elongate member at a second end of the elongate member. Collector portion 3 comprises a tip 4 at one end of the elongate member. In an embodiment, the intermediate region between handle 2 and collector portion 3 is comprised of less material to allow for bending of the elongate member.

Fig. 2 is a detail view of tip 4. As depicted, tip 4 is hemispherical in shape and comprises a plurality of symmetrical openings. The openings are defined by ribs 5 and 6. Ribs 5 and 6 are in the shape of a sector of a disc. In an embodiment, the ribs are in the shape of a segment of a disc. The ribs are spaced apart evenly from one another opposite the longitudinal axis. The tip further comprises a cross rib 7. Cross rib 7 also is in the shape of a segment of a disc, but in embodiments may be in the shape of a segment of a disc. Cross rib 7 intersects ribs 5 and 6. Cross rib 7 is perpendicular to ribs 5 and 6. In an embodiment, the tip comprises a plurality of cross-ribs that are perpendicular to each rib. Each rib 5, 6, 7 intersects the distal surface of base 8. Base 8 is an annular base as depicted. Base 8 can take any suitable shape, such as rectangular, square, or oblong. Preferably, the tip and surfaces are smooth and rounded for patient comfort, though providing certain surfaces with a surface roughness may be beneficial to capture additional mucus. Base 8 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis. As depicted, the tip of the swab comprises 6 openings in the hemispherical tip, defined by ribs 5 and 6, cross-rib 7, and base 8. In an embodiment, the tip comprises 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , or 12 openings. The openings are symmetrical about cross rib 7. In an embodiment, the openings are not symmetric.

The tip depicted is in Fig. 2 is a hemisphere of primarily open space. In an embodiment a substantially hemisphere tip extending from the most distal surface of the base to the end of the tip comprises at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, or at least 80%, and at most 95% open volume relative to the total volume of the substantial hemisphere.

Turning now to Fig. 3, a detailed view of collector portion 3 is depicted. Tip 4 is bounded by base 8. Moving in the proximal direction from base 8, the swab comprises a plurality of discs 9, 10, etc. spaced about the elongate member 1. In an embodiment, the plurality of discs comprises from 5 to 25 discs. In an embodiment, the plurality of discs comprises from 10 to 20 discs. In an embodiment, the space between each disc is at least 100 microns, as measured along the longitudinal axis. In an embodiment, the space between each disc is between 1mm and 8 mm. As depicted, each of the plurality of discs is circular. In an embodiment, one or more of the plurality of discs are circular. In an embodiment, the discs are oblong. In an embodiment, the discs vary in shape. In an embodiment, the discs are spaced about the elongate member 1 and coaxial with the longitudinal axis 1 A, wherein one more of the discs comprises a cut-out, such that one or more of the plurality of discs is not a complete disc. As such, a disc may also be a partial disc, such as a half disc, a disc comprising multiple cut-outs, or three-quarters of a disc. In an embodiment, the discs are evenly spaced about elongate member 1. In an embodiment, the spacing between discs increases moving distally along the longitudinal axis. In an embodiment, the spacing between discs decreases moving distally along the longitudinal axis. The discs 9, 10, etc. are coaxial with longitudinal axis 1A and are angled relative to the longitudinal axis 1 A. The angle is depicted by 11. In an embodiment, the angle is from 0 to 45 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle is from 5 to 45 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle is from 10 to 35 degrees.

In an embodiment, at least two of the plurality of discs comprise a baffle 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Baffles extend from a first disc toward a second disc and do not touch the second disc.

The baffle may be in the shape of a protrusion, e.g. 12, extending from a surface of the disc. A second baffle, e.g. 13, may extend from an opposite surface of the disc on an opposite side of the longitudinal axis. A first baffle 12 extends in a first direction (e.g. distal direction) relative to the longitudinal axis and a second baffle 13 extends in the opposite direction (e.g. proximal direction) relative to the longitudinal axis. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of discs comprises a first and/or a second baffle. In an embodiment, the disc 9 nearest the tip 4 comprises a third baffle 16, opposite the second baffle 15, which extends in the same direction as the first baffle 14. As depicted, the third baffle 16 extends in the proximal direction. In an embodiment, a baffle is a perimeter baffle, extending from the perimeter of the disc.

The angled discs may cause shearing of mucus, allowing more mucus, mucus that is deeper in the body cavity, or more highly viscous mucus than prior art designs. This action is aided by a baffle, if present. Additionally, the plurality of discs, preferably angled discs, may allow for greater flexibility over more monolithic prior art swabs. Flexibility is further aided by the baffles not touching adjacent discs.

In an embodiment, the swab comprises a notch to allow for the swab to more easily be broken. This may useful to more easily dispose of the swab or to retain only the collector portion for sample analysis. In an embodiment, the notch is present on the elongate member more proximal that the plurality of discs. In an embodiment, the notch is present between the most proximal and second most proximal disc.

A further embodiment of a swab is shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B. This swab is designed for immediate testing by certain types of mass spectrometry, such as Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry. In DESI, the sample must be held on a surface opposite the sprayer in order to create splashes of droplets carrying desorbed, ionized analytes for analysis by a mass spectrometer. The depicted swab thus comprises a sample surface 20. Sample surfaces may be present on both sides of the swab extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In an embodiment, the sample surface subdivides the plurality of discs in the collector portion of the depicted swab along the direction of the longitudinal axis. In an embodiment, the sample surface subdivides the plurality of discs in the collector portion of the depicted swab along a plane containing the longitudinal axis, or a plane parallel thereto. In such case, the discs are partial discs, as depicted in Fig. 4, cut-out on one side of the sample surface. In an embodiment, each disc is substantially semi-circular. The sample surface may extend fully across the collector portion along the longitudinal axis or, as depicted in Fig. 4A and 4B, be divided into sections 21 , 22, and 23. Dividing the collector portion into separated sections may allow for improved flexibility of the swab over a swab wherein the sample surface extends fully across the longitudinal axis.

The sample surface may take various forms. In an embodiment, the sample surface is substantially flat. In an embodiment, the sample surface is slightly convex. In an embodiment, the sample surface is smooth. In an embodiment, the sample surface is rough. In an embodiment, the Ra of the sample surface is 50 microns or less. In an embodiment, the Ra of the sample surface is greater than 50 microns.

As depicted in Fig. 4, the sample surface extends to the tip of the collector portion. As depicted, the cross-rib 24 forms a portion of the sample surface. In an embodiment, each rib is substantially quarter-circular. In an embodiment, the tip is substantially a quarter-sphere of primarily open space. In an embodiment a substantially quarter-sphere tip extending from the most distal surface of the base to the end of the tip comprises at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, or at least 80%, and at most 90% open volume relative to the total volume of the substantial quarter-sphere.

Fig. 5 depicts an embodiment of a swab that may be useful testing a sample via mass spectrometry. The depicted swab comprises a sample surface 30 divided into a plurality of sections and a plurality of partial, semi-circular discs angled with respect to the longitudinal axis. A plurality of the discs comprise a baffle on each of two opposing sides of the disc. A plurality of adjacent discs comprise an interior baffle 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39. The interior baffles extend from the interior of the disc as opposed to the perimeter baffles, for example, 40 and 41 , that extend from the perimeter of the disc.

A sample surface may comprise a pattern, as depicted in Fig. 5B. In an embodiment, a sample surface comprises a surface roughness. In an embodiment, a sample surface comprises a smooth surface. In an embodiment, a sample surface comprises a patterned surface. As depicted in Fig. 5B, the sample surface is present as separate sections along the collector portion to improve flexibility of the collector portion.

As depicted in Fig. 5C, the tip comprises a reservoir defined by a sample surface, a perimeter rib 42, perimeter baffle 43, perimeter baffle 44, disc 45, and interior baffle 31. Perimeter rib 40 runs along a portion of the perimeter of the tip, leaving a gap between perimeter baffles 43 and 44 and perimeter rib 42.

A gap in the wall of the reservoir between the perimeter baffles 43, 44 and the perimeter rib 42 allows for the entry of mucus for capture within the reservoir. Holes may also be present in the sample surface or perimeter rib to allow for entry of mucus into the reservoir. The swab in Fig. 5 comprises two holes, of which only one hole 46 is pictured in Fig. 5C. The holes may also have the benefit of allowing air to escape from the reservoir so that mucus may enter.

A potential advantage of the inventive swabs is that they may be formed by an industrial-scale process, such as by injection molding. As such, most materials that may be suitable for injection molding may be useful for forming the swab. The swab may be formed of one or a plurality of materials. In an embodiment, the swab comprises more than one material and is formed by multi-component injection molding. In an embodiment, the collector portion is formed from a different material than the elongate member. In an embodiment, the handle is formed from a different material than the elongate member.

The swab may be inserted into the nasal or oral cavity of a patient. In doing so, the elongate member may bend to conform to the patient’s anatomy. The collector portion may be contacted with e.g. mucus from a patient and collect a sample of mucus. Upon withdrawing the swab from the nasal or oral cavity of the patient, the mucus may be analyzed using known means.

Additional Description of Exemplary Embodiments

1. A swab comprising an elongate member comprising a longitudinal axis, the elongate member comprising a collector portion, the collector portion present along a length of the elongate member, the collector portion comprising a plurality of discs spaced about the elongate member and arranged coaxially around the longitudinal axis, the plurality of discs being angled relative to the longitudinal axis. 2. A swab comprising: a. an elongate member comprising a longitudinal axis, the elongate member comprising a collector portion, the collector portion present along a length of the elongate member, b. the collector portion comprising a plurality of discs spaced about the elongate member and arranged coaxially around the longitudinal axis, the plurality of discs comprising a baffle on each of two opposing sides of the disc on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis.

3. A swab comprising: an elongate member comprising a longitudinal axis, the elongate member comprising a collector portion, the collector portion present along a length of the elongate member at one end of the elongate member, the collector portion comprising a plurality of discs spaced about the elongate member and arranged coaxially around the longitudinal axis, the plurality of discs comprising a baffle on each of two opposing sides of the disc on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis.

4. A swab comprising: an elongate member comprising a longitudinal axis, the elongate member comprising a collector portion, the collector portion present along a length of the elongate member, the collector portion comprising: a plurality of discs spaced about the elongate member and arranged coaxially around the longitudinal axis.

5. A swab comprising: an elongate member comprising a longitudinal axis, the elongate member comprising a collector portion, the collector portion present along a length of the elongate member, the collector portion comprising: a plurality of discs spaced about the elongate member and arranged coaxially around the longitudinal axis, wherein the collector portion comprises a sample surface, the sample surface subdividing at least two of the plurality of discs in the collector portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and wherein the plurality of discs subdivided by the sample surface each comprise less than a full disc, preferably from a half-disc to a quarter-disc in size.

6. A swab comprising: an elongate member comprising a longitudinal axis, the elongate member comprising a collector portion, the collector portion present along a length of the elongate member, the collector portion comprising: a plurality of partial discs spaced about the elongate member and arranged coaxially around the longitudinal axis, wherein the collector portion comprises a sample surface, the sample surface forming a base of at least two of the plurality of discs in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and wherein more than one of the plurality of partial discs comprise a baffle, the baffle being a protrusion extending from the surface of the disc in the direction of the longitudinal axis. 7. A swab comprising: an elongate member comprising a longitudinal axis, the elongate member comprising a collector portion, the collector portion present along a length of the elongate member, the collector portion comprising: a plurality of discs spaced about the elongate member and arranged coaxially around the longitudinal axis, wherein the collector portion comprises a sample surface, the sample surface subdividing at least two of the plurality of discs in the collector portion along the direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein the plurality of discs subdivided by the sample surface each comprise less than a full disc, and wherein more than one or all of the plurality of discs comprise a baffle, the baffle being a protrusion extending from the surface of the disc in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

8. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion is present at one end of the elongate member.

9. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion comprises a tip at the end of the elongate member, the tip comprising a plurality of ribs.

10. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion comprising a tip at the end of the elongate member, the tip comprising a plurality of ribs substantially in the shape of a sector or segment of a disc.

11 . The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion comprising a tip at the end of the elongate member, the tip being rounded and comprising a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings defined by a plurality of ribs.

12. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion comprising a tip at the end of the elongate member, the tip being in the shape of a hemisphere with a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings defined by a plurality of ribs.

13. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the plurality of discs each comprise a baffle on each of two opposing sides of the disc on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis.

14. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein more than one or all of the plurality of discs comprise a baffle on each of two opposing sides of the disc on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis.

15. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the plurality of discs comprises from 5 to 25 discs.

16. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the plurality of discs comprises from 10 to 20 discs. 17. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the space between each disc is at least 100 microns, as measured along the longitudinal axis.

18. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the space between each disc is between 1 mm and 8 mm.

19. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sector or segment of each disc making up the plurality of ribs are coaxial to one another.

20. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion comprises a tip at the end of the elongate member, the tip being in the shape of a hemisphere with a plurality of symmetrical openings.

21 . The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein each rib is substantially semicircular.

22. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sector or segment of each disc making up the plurality of ribs are coaxial about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

23. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip further comprises a base, the base being centered about the longitudinal axis and the base of each rib intersecting with a surface of the base.

24. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, further comprising an annular base, the annular base being coaxial to the longitudinal axis and the base of each rib intersecting with a surface of the annular base.

25. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, further comprising a cross rib that is perpendicular to the plurality of ribs and intersects at least one of the plurality of ribs.

26. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, further comprising a cross rib that is perpendicular to the plurality of ribs and intersects at least two of the plurality of ribs.

27. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, further comprising a cross rib that is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of ribs and intersects at least one of the plurality of ribs.

28. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, further comprising a cross rib that intersects each rib at an angle that is not perpendicular to each rib.

29. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, further comprising a plurality of cross ribs.

30. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, further comprising a plurality of cross ribs that are substantially perpendicular to each rib. 31 . The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, further comprising a cross rib that is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of ribs and intersects at least two of the plurality of ribs.

32. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, further comprising a cross rib that intersects the plurality of ribs, wherein the cross rib is substantially in the shape of a sector or segment of a disc.

33. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip comprises substantially the shape of a hemisphere of primarily open space.

34. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip is substantially in the shape of a hemisphere and comprises at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, or at least 80%, and at most 95% of open volume relative to the total theoretical volume of the substantial hemisphere.

35. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion further comprises a plurality of discs along the elongate member and coaxial with the longitudinal axis.

36. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion further comprises a plurality of discs along the elongate member and coaxial with the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the plurality of discs are approximately the same diameter.

37. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein at least 80% of the plurality of discs are approximately the same diameter.

38. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein one more of the discs are partial discs.

39. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein one more of the discs comprises a cut-out.

40. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein one more of the discs are half-discs.

41 . The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein one more of the discs are substantially semicircular in cross-section.

42. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion further comprises a plurality of circular discs.

43. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion comprises a plurality of oblong discs.

44. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the discs vary in shape. - IQ -

45. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the spacing between discs increases moving distally along the longitudinal axis.

46. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the spacing between discs decreases moving distally along the longitudinal axis.

47. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the plurality of discs are angled relative to the longitudinal axis.

48. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein more than one of the plurality of discs is a partial disc, such as a half disc, a disc comprising multiple cut-outs, or three-quarters of a disc.

49. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the more than one or all of the plurality of discs are angled relative to the longitudinal axis and the angle is from 0 to 45 degrees relative to a plane normal to the longitudinal axis.

50. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the more than one or all of the plurality of discs are angled relative to the longitudinal axis and the angle is from 5 to 45 degrees relative to a plane normal to the longitudinal axis.

51 . The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein more than one or all of the plurality of discs are angled at an angle of from 10 to 35 degrees relative to a plane normal to the longitudinal axis.

52. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion further comprises a plurality of discs coaxial with the longitudinal axis, wherein more than one or all of the plurality of discs are angled at from 5 to 45 degrees.

53. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein more than one or all of the plurality of discs are spaced evenly along the length of the collector portion.

54. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein at least two of the plurality of discs comprise a baffle.

55. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein a baffle extends from a first disc toward a second disc and does not touch the second disc.

56. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein more than one of the plurality of discs comprise a baffle, the baffle being a protrusion extending from the surface of the disc in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

57. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein at least two of the plurality of discs coaxial with the longitudinal axis comprise a baffle on each of two opposing sides of the disc.

58. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein at least two of the plurality of discs coaxial with the longitudinal axis comprise a baffle on each of two opposing sides of the disc, each baffle extending in opposite directions from the surface of the disc approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis.

59. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein at least two of the plurality of discs coaxial with the longitudinal axis comprise a baffle on each of two opposing sides of the disc, wherein a first baffle extends in a first direction along the longitudinal axis and a second baffle extends in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

60. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the disc most proximate the tip comprises a third baffle opposite the second baffle and the third baffle extends in the first direction.

61 . The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the outer surface of the baffle is equal to the outer surface of the disc on which it sits.

62. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein at least two of the plurality of discs comprise a protrusion extending from the surface of the disc in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

63. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein a at least two of the plurality of discs comprise a first protrusion extending from the surface of the disc in the direction of the longitudinal axis toward the tip.

64. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein at least two of the plurality of discs comprise a second protrusion extending from the surface of the disc in the direction of the longitudinal axis away from the tip.

65. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein a first protrusion protrudes from a first surface of a disc and the second protrusion protrudes from an opposite surface of the disc.

66. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the protrusions do not contact adjacent discs.

67. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the baffles do not contact adjacent discs.

68. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the baffles are perimeter baffles.

69. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, further comprising an interior baffle extending from a disc.

70. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, further comprising an interior baffle that does not contact the adjacent disc.

71 . The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip comprises 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , or 12 openings. 72. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the outer diameter of the swab along the longitudinal axis is at least 1 mm. 1.5 mm, or 2 mm.

73. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the outer diameter of the swab along the longitudinal axis is at most 5 mm, 4 mm, or 3 mm.

74. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, further comprising handle, the handle present along a length of the elongate member at a second end of the elongate member opposite the collector portion.

75. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the elongate member comprises a notch.

76. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the elongate member comprises a notch and the notch is present on the elongate member more proximal that the plurality of discs.

77. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the elongate member comprises a notch and the notch is present between the most proximal and second most proximal of the plurality of discs.

78. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion comprises a sample surface.

79. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface is a surface present between two or more of the plurality of discs.

80. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface contains a plane containing the longitudinal axis or a plane parallel thereto.

81 . The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface subdivides the plurality of discs in the collector portion of the swab along the direction of the longitudinal axis.

82. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface subdivides the plurality of discs in the collector portion of the swab along a plane containing the longitudinal axis, or a plane parallel thereto.

83. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface extends at least partially through the plurality of discs and is present in a plane comprising the longitudinal axis or a plane parallel to the plane comprising the longitudinal axis.

84. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion comprises a sample surface, the sample surface subdividing at least two of the plurality of discs in the collector portion along a plane containing the longitudinal axis or along a plane substantially parallel thereto. 85. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface intersects at least two baffles of the plurality of discs.

86. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface extends fully across the collector portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

87. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface does not extend fully across the collector portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

88. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion comprises a plurality of separate sections along the direction of the longitudinal axis, each separate section comprising a sample surface that does not extend across separate sections.

89. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface is substantially flat.

90. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface is convex.

91 . The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface is smooth.

92. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface is rough.

93. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface comprises a surface roughness.

94. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein a sample surface comprises a patterned surface.

95. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the Ra of the sample surface is 50 microns or less.

96. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the Ra of the sample surface is greater than 50 microns.

97. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface extends to the tip of the collector portion.

98. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface extends to the tip of the collector portion and a cross-rib of the tip forms a portion of the sample surface.

99. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the sample surface extends to the tip of the collector portion, a cross-rib of the tip forms a portion of the sample surface and each rib on the tip is substantially quarter-circular. 100. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip is substantially a quarter-sphere of primarily open space.

101. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein a substantially quarter-sphere tip extending from the most distal surface of the base to the end of the tip comprises at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, or at least 80%, and at most 90% open volume relative to the total volume of the substantial quarter- sphere.

102. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip comprises a reservoir.

103. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip comprises a reservoir defined by a perimeter rib, a disc, and the sample surface.

104. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip comprises a reservoir defined by a perimeter rib, a first perimeter baffle, a second perimeter baffle, a disc, and the sample surface.

105. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip comprises a reservoir defined by a perimeter rib, a disc, an interior baffle, and the sample surface.

106. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip comprises a reservoir defined by a perimeter rib, a first perimeter baffle, a second perimeter baffle, a disc, an interior baffle, and the sample surface.

107. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip comprises a perimeter rib extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

108. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip comprises at least one thru hole in the sample surface.

109. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip comprises a reservoir and at least one thru hole in the sample surface.

110. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the tip comprises a reservoir and the reservoir comprises a gap in its perimeter wall.

111. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the reservoir is at least partially defined by the most distal disc or partial disc.

112. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, formed by the process of injection molding.

113. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the swab comprises more than one material and is formed by multi-component injection molding. 114. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the collector portion is formed from a different material than the elongate member.

115. The swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments, wherein the handle is formed from a different material than the elongate member.

116. A method of obtaining a sample from a patient comprising the steps of: inserting the swab according to any one of the previous exemplary embodiments into the oral or nasal cavity of a patient, contacting the swab against a surface of a tissue of the patient, and removing the swab from the oral or nasal cavity of the patient.

117. The use of the swab according to any one of the previously exemplary embodiments for harvesting a sample from the oral or nasal cavity of a patient.

118. The swab according to any one of the previously exemplary embodiments, for use in harvesting a sample from the oral or nasal cavity of a patient.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. While certain optional features are described as embodiments of the invention, the description is meant to encompass and specifically disclose all combinations of these embodiments unless specifically indicated otherwise or physically impossible.