Copan announced this week that it has received the Japanese patent for its use of flocking technology to manufacture its line of flocked swabs (FLOQSwabs™). The Japanese publication number for COPAN’s flocked swabs patent, number 2007-523663, is the latest addition to a growing number of patents held by COPAN across the world for flocked swab technology, including the Australian patent (N°2004226798) granted earlier this year, a European patent that covers several countries (N°1608268), a Canadian patent (N°2515205), and New Zealand patent (N°541560).

Innovative FLOQSwabsTM comprise of a solid molded plastic applicator shaft with a tip that can vary in size and shape to serve different anatomical needs. 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. Copan’s application of flocking technology has revolutionized the way biological swab samples are perceived.

“The patent granted by Japan for the invention of flocked swabs strengthens Copan’s position as a true innovator in the field of pre-analytics and Copan’s commitment to enhancing collection and transport devices to ultimately improve patients care,” concludes Norman Sharples, Copan Diagnostics’ Executive Vice-President.

About Copan

With a reputation for innovation in preanalytics, Copan is the leading manufacturer of collection and transport systems in the world. Copan offers a complete range of microbial sampling products used for traditional culture analysis and molecular diagnostic assays. For more information, visit www.copanusa.com