Flocked Nylon Swabs (iClean Base) | Routine medical specimen collection (e.g., throat, nasal) | Medical-grade nylon fibers (ISO 10993 compliant) ▲ 2-year shelf life (ISO 11607) ▲ Molded break point handle (EN 17144) | High specimen retention (50% more than cotton) Sterile packaging (EPR Germany) Affordable baseline option | Shorter shelf life than Advanced tier No ESD protection (vs. Advanced) |
Flocked Nylon Swabs (iClean Advanced) | Critical lab diagnostics (e.g., PCR testing) | Medical-grade nylon fibers (ISO 10993) ▲▲ 3-year shelf life (ISO 11607) ▲▲ Molded break point handle + ESD protection (IEC 61340-5-1) | Extended shelf life ▲ ESD protection for sensitive samples ▲ FDACertified (Registration #FDA-12345) | Higher cost than Base tier Requires specialized storage for ESD features |
Cotton Swabs (Industry Standard) | General swabbing (non-critical samples) | Cotton tip (ASTM D543 compliant) 1-year shelf life (ISO 11607) | Cost-effective Widely available | Low specimen retention (20% less than flocked) Higher contamination risk (non-breakable handle) |
Foam-Tipped Swabs | Environmental sampling (e.g., surface testing) | Polyurethane foam tip (ASTM E1762) 1.5-year shelf life | High absorption capacity for liquids Resistant to breakage | Not sterile-ready out of packaging Less precise for delicate specimens |
Eco-Friendly Swabs | Sustainable healthcare settings | Biodegradable cellulose (TÜV OK Compost IND) ▲ 1.8-year shelf life | Environmentally sustainable ▲ Compostable packaging (EPR Germany) | Lower specimen retention (30% less than nylon) Shorter shelf life than nylon-based swabs |
Premium Break Point Swabs (Competitor) | High-risk clinical labs | Stainless steel handle (ISO 7153-1) 2-year shelf life | Durable handle design Corrosion-resistant | Non-sterile packaging (requires autoclaving) Higher material cost |