COPAN FLOCKED SWABS Copan’s Patented* Flocked Swabs comprise of a solid molded plastic applicator shaft with a tip that can vary in size and shape. The tip of the applicator is coated with short Nylon® fibers that are arranged in a perpendicular fashion. This perpendicular arrangement results from a process called flocking, where the fibers are sprayed onto the tip of the swab, while it is held in an electrostatic field. This process creates a highly absorbent thin layer with an open structure. Unlike traditional fiber wound swabs, which resemble a mattress or cushion, Copan Flocked Swabs have no internal absorbent core to disperse and entrap the specimen– the entire sample stays close to the surface for fast and complete elution. The perpendicular Nylon® fibers act like a soft brush and allow improved collection of cell samples. Capillary action between the fiber strands facilitates strong hydraulic uptake of liquid sample, and the sample stays close to the surface allowing easy elution. Copan Flocked Swabs are versatile and ideal for bacteriology samples, virology culture, DFA testing, rapid direct testing, EIA, PCR and molecular-based assays, as well as for forensic applications.