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Low cost, injection molded, nasopharyngeal swabs for addressing global diagnostic supply shortages

Flores, M. R.; Mendoza, R.; Perry, D.; Gabutan, E.; Fyke, W.; Faber, E.; Saggi, S. J.; Tam, J.; Chico-Calero, I.; Engelthaler, D. M.; Goetz, L.; McDaniel, T. K.; Murakami, N.; Libien, J.; Ingber, D. E.; Novak, R.

2021-07-22 infectious diseases
10.1101/2021.07.19.21260235 medRxiv
Show abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic revealed the fragility of global supply chains, resulting in shortages of essential clinical supplies for the detection and treatment of COVID-19, including nasopharyngeal swabs (NP) commonly used to collect clinical samples for respiratory disease diagnostics. Groups around the world led a response to find alternatives to these shortages. Here, we describe the development of a single-component nasopharyngeal swab (GrooveSwab) composed of medical grade polypropylene that can be mass manufactured using conventional injection molding. The design inspired by cat tongue papillae consists of a non-absorbent stacked ring structure that allows for efficient and comfortable collection of viscous mucus samples and faster release into collection medium compared to traditional absorbent swabs. GroveSwabs were evaluated in 2 clinical studies in the US and Peru and demonstrated 90% or better concordance with commercial swabs. The simplified NP swab offers a reliable, lower cost, and more manufacturable alternative to absorbent swabs to avoid future shortages.

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