FLU SURVEILLANCE SWABS AVAILABLE FROM PURITAN MEDICAL PRODUCTS CO.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend clinicians test suspected cases of H1N1, novel influenza A, by obtaining an upper respiratory specimen. According to the Interim Guidance on Specimen Collection, the preferred respiratory specimens are nasopharyngeal swabs, nasal aspirates, or a combined nasopharyngeal swab with oropharyngeal swab. Specimen swabs should have synthetic tips, such as polyester, and an aluminum or plastic shaft. Swabs with cotton tips and wooden shafts are not recommended.
Nasopharyngeal swabs with synthetic tips:
Foam: 25-1406 1PF 50
Rayon: 25-800 R 50
Flock: 25-3317 1PN, 25-3316 1PN
Polyester: 25-800 D 50, 25-800 1PD 50, 25-1000 1PD
Oropharyngeal with synthetic tips:
Foam: 25-1506 1PF
Flock: 25-3306 1PN
Rayon: 25-806 1PR
Polyester: 25-806 1PD
The World Health Organization declared the alert level to be at phase 6 on June 11th because of sustained person to person transmission on several continents. Tom Freiden of the CDC stated” And really for all intents and purposes, the U.S. government has been in phase 6 of the pandemic for some time now. This, however, is important because it does send the strong message that the virus is here, it's in all likelihood here to stay, and it's important that we continue our aggressive efforts to prepare and respond. Our key goals are to determine where the virus is spreading and to reduce its impact…”
Special Announcements about Puritan’s Anti-static Dissipative Foam Swabs, Flocked Swabs and Mini-Popule Swabs.
Puritan is always launching new products, special services, and state-of-the art manufacturing techniques. Here we share innovative ways some of our customers use our products. Also view a list of our upcoming trade show appearances. And maybe even meet some of the people from our Guilford, ME facility.
Now available, a foam-tipped applicator on a rigid shaft with side spiral grooves that have the ability to trap and retain particulates in small tight areas. We also offer this item with an ESD handle, item 1283-PF ESD.
Study shows Puritan’s foam swabs provide superior influenza detection
A recent study conducted by Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio has concluded that Puritan's foam swabs outperform flocked swabs for detecting influenza. The study compared the clinical sensitivity and specifity of anterior nares specimens collected by a Puritan polyurethane foam swab vs. a nylon flocked swab. Samples of specimen were taken during the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 influenza seasons. Results showed that Puritan's high-absorbency foam swabs allowed a larger sample of reliable specimen to be collected using the Quidel QuickVue Influenza Test A & B.
Mini-Popule maximizes DNA recovery
As published in Forensic Magazine’s February/March 2008 issue, our new mini-popule (25-4660) boosts recovery of trace DNA with its foam head and 91% isopropanol solution inside its hollow shaft. And, it reduces the chance of contamination due to not having to add sterile water as well as an easily detachable head. Better yet, because it’s a one-stop sampling device it’s easy to use in the field. Plus, as Ted Silenieks of the Forensic Science South Australia Biology Lab stated, "Crime Scene Investigators are often amazed at our ability to generate DNA profiles from popule samples taken from similar items that, from their past experience, never produced DNA results using cotton swabbing methods."
Read about our Trace DNA Mini-Popule Swabs in Forensic Magazine
Flocked Swabs now available from Puritan
You asked for it and we delivered! Now available, we have specialty flock fibers and styles available (like the ones pictured above). We also have nylon flock-tipped swabs - great for collecting cell samples. The tips are comprised of Medical-Grade nylon fibers and are currently available in standard and mini-tip sizes, sterile and non-sterile versions. Plus, you can quickly snap off the tips using our scored handles. Best of all, all of our flocked swabs carry the same quality you’ve come to expect when purchasing Puritan products.
New ESD Swabs for use in microelectronics and critical environments
For those of you interested in cleaning small, confined spaces in microelectronics or other critical environments, we’ve developed electro static dissipative swabs in five of our most popular, critical-environment styles. The new products, an extension of the PurSwab line, feature ESD safe polypropylene handles, and include dissipative foam and ultra clean microfiber-tipped applicators in both three- and six-inch lengths. "Our development of these specialty swabs was driven by customer demand for a safe swab to use in electronic assembly for production of a wide range of critical, industrial and medical devices," said Timothy Templet, executive vice president of sales. "While appropriate for many environments and uses, our ESD Safe Swabs also meet the most stringent criteria for use in critical environments." Learn more about our ESD Swabs.
Mark of approval from Japan
Puritan has achieved official approval from Japan’s Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare with regards to compliance with the Japanese Pharmaceutical Affairs Law (PAL). Requiring rigorous and extensive evaluations, PAL covers all the medical devices, drugs, quasi-drugs and cosmetics entering the Japanese market. This law was passed by the Japanese Parliament for the purpose of ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of medical products in Japan. Read more about Puritan’s credentials.
25-1506 1PF TT Swab selected by California Fuel Cell Partnership
Members of the California Fuel Cell Partnership have been
collaborating with the American Society of Testing and Materials to determine a method for the collection of accumulated particulate matter in a broad range of systems. After careful testing, Puritan's foam-tipped 25-1506 1PF TT was found to collect and distribute a maximum amount of particulates, more so than any other swab tested. Additionally, with its sterile, rigid tube, the swab is transported with minimum contamination.
A contaminant-free cuticle stick for forensic use
Every precaution has been taken to keep our new cuticle stick, product 2911, contaminant-free: It’s manufactured in a controlled environment to minimize contact during production, then aseptically packaged so the user doesn’t have to handle unwrapped sticks. Transparent wrapping on the back of the stick allows for easy identification of the product being used.
“We have done our utmost to ensure that our new cuticle stick remains contaminant-free from the factory to the field,” said Timothy Templet, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing. “We believe this product will prove invaluable for forensic evidence and specimen collection.”
Come see us at these upcoming events!
| Oct 13 - 15, 2010 | HIDA MedSurg Conference & Expo, Chicago, IL |
