Three-Dimensional Printed Swabs for Diagnostic Testing

Abstract

A three-dimensional printed swab may include a shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the swab, and a tip portion integrally formed with the shaft. The tip portion may include a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of protrusions each extending outward from the body and transverse to the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the tip portion may include a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of recesses each defined in the body and extending inward toward the longitudinal axis. As another alternative, the tip portion may include a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a series of annular ribs each extending outward from the body and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to swabs used for sample collection and more particularly to three-dimensional printed swabs used to collect biological samples for diagnostic testing.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various types of devices may be used to collect biological samples for diagnostic testing. In many instances, swabs having a shaft and a tip portion may be used for sample collection. During use, the shaft may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion to a target location of a subject and collect a sample therefrom. For example, a tip portion of a nasopharyngeal swab may be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. For different diagnostic tests, various other types of swabs may be configured for insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom.

Existing swabs typically may be formed of two or more materials. The shaft may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion may be formed of a different, second material and attached to the shaft. For example, traditional swabs may have a wooden shaft and a cotton tip portion. Other swabs may have a shaft formed of a suitable plastic and a flocked tip portion formed of a suitable synthetic material, such as nylon. Swabs often may be provided as a part, of a test kit that also includes a vessel for containing the swab after sample collection and media for facilitating transport of the sample. For example, universal viral diagnostic test kits typically may include a minitip flocked swab and a test tube containing viral transport media. Importantly, traditional swabs formed of wood and cotton often may not be suitable due to reactions between testing chemicals and the swab materials.

The fabrication and use of existing swabs may present certain limitations. For example, during a period of increased demand for swabs, as may result from a pandemic disease, manufacturing capacity and/or a supply of material may not be sufficient to meet the demand. Additionally, for swabs having a shaft and a tip portion formed of different materials, manufacturing lead times may be impacted by the time required to attach the tip material to the shaft material. Further, the tip portions of existing swabs may not be suitable or preferable for collecting biological samples for certain diagnostic testing applications.

A need therefore exists for improved swabs for use in collecting biological samples for diagnostic testing and related methods for fabricating such swabs, which may overcome one or more of the above-mentioned limitations associated with existing swabs and their fabrication.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional printed swabs and related methods for fabricating three-dimensional printed swabs. In one aspect, a three-dimensional printed swab is provided. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional printed swab may include a shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the swab, and a tip portion integrally formed with the shaft. The tip portion may include a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of protrusions each extending outward from the body and transverse to the longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the body may have a circular cross-sectional shape, a diameter of the body may be constant along at least a portion of the body, and each of the protrusions may extend outward from the at least a portion of the body having the constant diameter. In some embodiments, the body may have a circular cross-sectional shape, a diameter of the body may vary along at least a portion of the body, and each of the protrusions may extend outward from the at least a portion of the body having the varying diameter. In some embodiments, the plurality of protrusions may include a series of circumferential arrays of protrusions positioned along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays of protrusions may include four or more protrusions having respective free ends equally spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the series of circumferential arrays of protrusions may include a first circumferential array of protrusions and a second circumferential array of protrusions positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, and the protrusions of the first circumferential array of protrusions may be offset from the protrusions of the second circumferential array of protrusions in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the series of circumferential arrays of protrusions also may include a third circumferential array of protrusions positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis with respect to the second circumferential array of protrusions, and the protrusions of the first circumferential array of protrusions may be aligned with the protrusions of the third circumferential array of protrusions in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the series of circumferential arrays of protrusions may include a first circumferential array of protrusions and a second circumferential array of protrusions positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, and the protrusions of the first circumferential array of protrusions may be aligned with the protrusions of the second circumferential array of protrusions in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the series of circumferential arrays of protrusions may include a first circumferential array of protrusions and a second circumferential array of protrusions positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, each of the protrusions of the first circumferential array of protrusions may have a first height relative to the body in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each of the protrusions of the second circumferential array of protrusions may have a second height relative to the body in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the first height may be different from the second height.

In another aspect, a three-dimensional printed swab is provided. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional printed swab may include a shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the swab, and a tip portion integrally formed with the shaft. The tip portion may include a body positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of openings each defined in the body and extending inward toward the longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the plurality of openings may include a series of circumferential arrays of openings positioned along the longitudinal axis, and each of the circumferential arrays of openings comprises four or more openings equally spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the plurality of openings may include a plurality of recesses each defined in the body, the plurality of recesses may include a first circumferential array of recesses and a second circumferential array of recesses positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, and the recesses of the first circumferential array of recesses may be aligned with the recesses of the second circumferential array of recesses in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the body may include a plurality of rings defining the plurality of openings and arranged to form a lattice, the plurality of rings may include a series of circumferential bands of rings positioned along the longitudinal axis, and each of the circumferential bands of rings may include four or more rings attached to one another in series in a circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis.

In still another aspect, a three-dimensional printed swab is provided. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional printed swab may include a shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the swab, and a tip portion integrally formed with the shaft. The tip portion may include a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a series of annular ribs each extending outward from the body and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the body may have a circular cross-sectional shape, a diameter of the body may be constant along at least a portion of the body, and each of the annular ribs may extend outward from the at least a portion of the body having the constant diameter. In some embodiments, the body may have a circular cross-sectional shape, a diameter of the body may vary along at least a portion of the body, and each of the annular ribs may extend outward from the at least a portion of the body having the varying diameter. In some embodiments, the annular ribs may be equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, consecutive pairs of the annular ribs may be positioned adjacent one another. In some embodiments, the series of annular ribs may include a first annular rib and a second annular rib positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, the first annular rib may have a first diameter, and the second annular rib may have a second diameter that is different from the first diameter. In some embodiments, the series of annular ribs may include a first annular rib and a second annular rib positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, and the first annular rib and the second annular rib may have the same diameter.

These and other aspects and improvements of the present disclosure will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 1B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 1A,

FIG. 1C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 2B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 3B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 4B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 5B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 6B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 7B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 7A,

FIG. 7C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 8B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 9B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 10B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 11B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 12B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 13B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14A is a front view of an example shaft as may be used with a three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 14B is a front view of an example shaft as may be used with a three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 15A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swab including a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 15B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 15C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 15D is a detailed, cross-sectional front view of the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 15A.

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict example embodiments of the disclosure. The drawings are provided to facilitate understanding of the disclosure and shall not be deemed to limit the breadth, scope, or applicability of the disclosure. The use of the same reference numerals indicates similar, but not necessarily the same or identical components. Different reference numerals may be used to identify similar components. Various embodiments may utilize elements or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. The use of singular terminology to describe a component or element may, depending on the context, encompass a plural number of such components or elements and vice versa.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the following description, specific details are set forth describing some embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. The specific embodiments disclosed herein are meant to be illustrative but not limiting. One skilled in the art may realize other elements that, although not specifically described here, are within the scope and the spirit of this disclosure. In addition, to avoid unnecessary repetition, one or more features shown and described in association with one embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments unless specifically described otherwise or if the one or more features would make an embodiment non-functional. In some instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

Overview

Embodiments of three-dimensional printed swabs and related methods for fabricating three-dimensional printed swabs are provided herein. The three-dimensional printed swabs may be used to collect biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. For example, the three-dimensional printed swabs may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of the three-dimensional printed swabs may be implemented for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom. In some embodiments, the three-dimensional printed swabs may be provided as a part of a test kit that also includes a vessel for containing the swab or a portion of the swab after sample collection and media for facilitating transport of the sample. For example, the three-dimensional printed swabs may be provided as a part of a universal viral diagnostic test kit that also includes a test tube containing viral transport media.

The three-dimensional printed swabs provided herein generally may include a shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the swab, and a tip portion integrally formed with the shaft. In some embodiments, the tip portion may include a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of protrusions each extending outward from the body and transverse to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the tip portion may include a body positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of openings each defined in the body and extending inward toward the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the tip portion may include a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a series of annular ribs each extending outward from the body and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis. The methods for fabricating a three-dimensional printed swab provided herein generally may include receiving a digital three-dimensional model corresponding to the swab, and integrally forming, via three-dimensional printing and based at least in part on the digital three-dimensional model, a shaft and a tip portion of the swab. The shaft may define a longitudinal axis of the swab. In some embodiments, the tip portion may include a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of protrusions each extending outward from the body and transverse to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the tip portion may include a body positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of openings each defined in the body and extending inward toward the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the tip portion may include a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a series of annular ribs each extending outward from the body and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis.

As discussed above, existing swabs for collecting biological samples for diagnostic testing and existing techniques for fabricating such swabs may have certain limitations. In some instances, during a period of increased demand for swabs, as may result from a pandemic disease, manufacturing capacity and/or a supply of material for fabricating such swabs may not be sufficient to meet the demand. Moreover, for existing swabs having a shaft and a tip portion formed of different materials, manufacturing lead times may be adversely impacted by the time required to attach the tip material to the shaft material. Further, when considering certain diagnostic testing applications, the tip portions of existing swabs may not be suitable or preferable for collecting biological samples from the respective target locations.

The three-dimensional printed swabs and related methods for fabricating three-dimensional printed swabs provided herein advantageously may overcome one or more of the limitations associated with existing swabs and techniques for their fabrication. As described herein, the swabs may be fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) printing, a form of additive manufacturing. In particular, fabrication methods may include receiving a digital three-dimensional (3D) model corresponding to the swab, and integrally forming, via three-dimensional printing and based at least in part on the digital three-dimensional model, the shaft and the tip portion of the swab. In this manner, because three-dimensional printing may utilize different equipment and materials than those used for manufacture of existing swabs, fabrication of the swabs described herein may be unaffected by limited manufacturing capacity and/or a limited supply of material for existing swabs during a period of increased demand. The fabrication of the three-dimensional printed swabs may be carried out using any three-dimensional printers and any materials that are suitable for patient use (i.e., those cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other relevant regulatory authority for patient use). The digital three-dimensional model may be a Computer Aided Design (CAD) model created using various forms of 3D modeling software. Additionally, because the shaft and the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swabs may be integrally formed with one another, fabrication of the swabs may avoid the need to separately attach the tip portion to the shaft, as is required for existing swabs. Further, in certain applications, the tip portion of the three-dimensional printed swabs may be configured to improve sample collection as compared to existing swabs. As described herein, the tip portion may include protrusions, openings, or annular ribs that are configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. In particular, the size, shape, number, and/or arrangement of the protrusions, openings, or annular ribs may be selected to maximize a surface area of the tip portion that is configured to contact a target location of a subject, thereby improving sample collection.

Still other benefits and advantages of the three-dimensional printed swabs and fabrication methods provided herein over existing swab technology will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description and the appended drawings.

Example Embodiments of Swabs

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C, an example three-dimensional printed swab 100 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”) is depicted. The three-dimensional printed swab 100 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the three-dimensional printed swab 100 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the three-dimensional printed swab 100 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the three-dimensional printed swab 100 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 102 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 104 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. In some embodiments, the swab 100, or at least a portion of the swab 100, may be flexible such that the swab 100 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The three-dimensional printed swab 100 may include a shaft 110 and a tip portion 130 that is integrally formed with the shaft 110. During use of the swab 100, the shaft 110 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 130 to a target location of a subject and collect a sample therefrom. As described below, the tip portion 130 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 110 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 110 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 130 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. As shown, the shaft 110 may extend from the proximal end 102 toward the distal end 104 of the swab 100, and the tip portion 130 may extend from the distal end 104 toward the proximal end 102 of the swab 100. In other words, a proximal end of the shaft 110 may define the proximal end 102 of the swab 100, and a distal end of the tip portion 130 may define the distal end 104 of the swab 100. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 110 and the tip portion 130 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. In some embodiments, the shaft 110 and/or the tip portion 130 may be asymmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. In some embodiments, the shaft 110 and the tip portion 130 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 110, or at least a portion of the shaft 110, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 130, or at least a portion of the tip portion 130, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 110 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape (as viewed in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100), although other shapes of the shaft 110 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 110 may include two or more portions having different diameters different maximum and/or minimum dimensions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100 in embodiments in which the cross-sectional shape of the shaft 110 is non-circular). For example, as shown, the shaft 110 may include a proximal portion 112 having a first diameter, and a distal portion 114 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. In some embodiments, the first diameter may be 2.5 mm, and the second diameter may be 1.5 mm, although other values of the first diameter and the second diameter may be used in other embodiments. The shaft 110 also may include an intermediate portion 116 and a separation portion 118. As shown, the intermediate portion 116 may be positioned between the proximal portion 112 and the distal portion 114 and may have a diameter that is equal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 112. In other embodiments, the diameter of the intermediate portion 116 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 112 or less than the first diameter of the proximal portion 112 but greater than the second diameter of the distal portion 114. As shown, the separation portion 118 may be positioned between the proximal portion 112 and the intermediate portion 116 and may have a diameter that is equal to the second diameter of the distal portion 114. In other embodiments, the diameter of the separation portion 118 may be less than the second diameter of the distal portion 114 or greater than the second diameter of the distal portion 114 but less than the first diameter of the proximal portion 112 and the intermediate portion 116. In some embodiments, each of the diameters of the proximal portion 112, the distal portion 114, the intermediate portion 116, and the separation portion 118 may be constant along the length of the respective portion. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 112, the distal portion 114, the intermediate portion 116, and the separation portion 118 may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 110. In such instances, the above-mentioned diameter of the respective portion having a varying diameter may be a maximum diameter of the respective portion of the shaft 110.

The separation portion 118 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 112 from the intermediate portion 116. In particular, the smaller diameter of the separation portion 118 may allow a user to separate the proximal portion 112 from the intermediate portion 116 (and the remainder of the swab 100) upon grasping the proximal portion 112 and the intermediate portion 116 and applying bending forces thereto until the separation portion 118 breaks. In this manner, after using the swab 100 to collect a sample, the separation portion 118 may be broken, the distal portion 114, the intermediate portion 116, and the tip portion 130 may be inserted into a transport vessel, such as a test tube, and the proximal portion 112 may be discarded. In some embodiments, the shaft 110 also may include a flange 120 extending outward from the proximal portion 112. The flange 120 may be positioned at or near the proximal end 102 of the swab 100. In this manner, the flange 120 may be configured to facilitate grasping and manipulation of the swab 100 by a user. Upon breaking the separation portion 118 of the swab 100, the flange 120 would be discarded along with the proximal portion 112.

As shown, the tip portion 130 may include a body 132 and a plurality of protrusions 140. The body 132 may extend outward from the shaft 110 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. Each of the protrusions 140 may extend outward from the body 132 and transverse to the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. The body 132 may provide a support structure for the protrusions 140. As shown, the body 132 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 132 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the body 132 may include two or more portions having different diameters (or different maximum and/or minimum dimensions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100 in embodiments in which the cross-sectional shape of the body 132 is non-circular). For example, as shown, the body 132 may include a proximal portion 134 and a distal portion 136, with the distal portion 136 having a greater diameter than the proximal portion 134. In some embodiments, as shown, the diameter of the proximal portion 134 may be equal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 112 of the shaft 110, and the diameter of the distal portion 136 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 112. In some embodiments, as shown, the diameter of the body 132 may be constant along the proximal portion 134, and the diameter of the body 132 may be constant along the distal portion 136. In other embodiments, the diameter of the body 132 may vary along one or both of the proximal portion 134 and the distal portion 136.

The protrusions 140 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusions 140 may extend outward from the distal portion 136 of the body 132, and the proximal portion 134 may be devoid of any protrusions 140 extending therefrom. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 140 may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. In other words, each of the protrusions 140 may extend in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. Each of the protrusions 140 may have a base end 142 and a free end 144, with a distance between the base end 142 and the free end 144 defining a height (which alternatively may be referred to as a “length”) of the protrusion 140 relative to the body 132. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 140 may have the same height. In other embodiments, some of the protrusions 140 may have a first height, while other protrusions 140 may have a second height that is different from the first height. As shown, the free ends 144 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, as shown, the third diameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 112 of the shaft 110 and thus also greater than the second diameter of the distal portion 114 of the shaft 110.

In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 140 may have a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 140 may have a frustoconical shape with a circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 140 may have an elongated shape with an elliptical cross-sectional shape or an oval cross-sectional shape. Still other shapes and cross-sectional shapes of the protrusions 140 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 140 may include a flat surface at the free end 144 thereof. In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 140 may include a rounded or otherwise curved surface at the free end 144 thereof. For example, in some embodiments, each of the protrusions 140 may include a protrusion base and a protrusion tip, with the protrusion base extending from the base end 142 to the protrusion tip and having a cylindrical or otherwise elongated shape, and with the protrusion tip extending from the protrusion base to the free end 144 and having a partial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical shape. In some embodiments, all of the protrusions 140 may have the same shape and the same size. In other embodiments, some of the protrusions 140 may have the same shape and the same size, while other protrusions 140 may have a different shape and/or a different size.

As shown, the plurality of protrusions 140 may include a series of circumferential arrays 150 of the protrusions 140 positioned along the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. In some embodiments, the plurality of protrusions 140 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 150 positioned in series. Although fifteen (15) circumferential arrays 150 of the protrusions 140 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferential arrays 150 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 150 may include four (4) or more protrusions 140 positioned in an array. Although twenty (20) protrusions 140 are provided for each of the circumferential arrays 150 in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more protrusions 140 for each of the circumferential arrays 150 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays 150, the respective free ends 144 of the protrusions 140 of the circumferential array 150 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. In some embodiments, for each of the circumferential arrays 150, the respective free ends 144 of the protrusions 140 of the circumferential array 150 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, as shown, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 150, the respective base ends 142 of consecutive pairs of the protrusions 140 of the circumferential array 150 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 150, the respective base ends 142 of the protrusions 140 of the circumferential array 150 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 150, the respective base ends 142 of the protrusions 140 of the circumferential array 150 may be positioned adjacent one another in the circumferential direction. In other words, the respective base ends 142 of consecutive pairs of the protrusions 140 may not be spaced apart from one another.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 150 of the protrusions 140 may include a first circumferential array 150a, a second circumferential array 150, a third circumferential array 150c, and a fourth circumferential array 150d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 140 of each consecutive pair of circumferential arrays 150 may be offset from one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 140 of the first circumferential array 150a may be offset from the protrusions 140 of the second circumferential array 150b in the circumferential direction, the protrusions 140 of the second circumferential array 150b may be offset from the protrusions 140 of the third circumferential array 150c in the circumferential direction, and the protrusions 140 of the third circumferential array 150c may be offset from the protrusions 140 of the fourth circumferential array 150d in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 140 of each pair of circumferential arrays 150 separated from one another by only a single other circumferential array 150 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 140 of the first circumferential array 150a may be aligned with the protrusions 140 of the third circumferential array 150c in the circumferential direction, and the protrusions 140 of the second circumferential array 150b may be aligned with the protrusions 140 of the fourth circumferential array 150d in the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, as shown, the circumferential arrays 150 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 150 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. In some embodiments, respective consecutive pairs of the circumferential arrays 150 may be positioned adjacent one another along the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. In other words, the respective base ends 142 of the protrusions 140 of consecutive pairs of the circumferential arrays 150 may not be spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 100. Various configurations of the series of circumferential arrays 150 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 130 also may include a tip 160. As shown, the tip 160 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 130 and may define the distal end 104 of the swab 100. The tip 160 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 130 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 100. The shape of the tip 160 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 160 may have a frustoconical shape having a tapered surface extending to a flat surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 160. In some embodiments, the tip 160 may have a rounded or otherwise curved surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 160. Still other shapes for the tip 160 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the protrusions 140 of one or more of the circumferential arrays 150 may extend outward from a portion of the tip 160. In some embodiments, as shown, the entire tip 160 may be devoid of any protrusions 140 extending therefrom.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 100 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 100 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 200 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 200 and the swab 100 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 200 and the swab 100 relate to a shape of the body of the tip portion and varying diameters defined by the free ends of the protrusions of the tip portion. The swab 200 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 200 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory, mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 200 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 200 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 202 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 204 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 200. In some embodiments, the swab 200, or at least a portion of the swab 200, may be flexible such that the swab 200 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 200 may include a shaft 210 and a tip portion 230 that is integrally formed with the shaft 210. During use, the shaft 210 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 230 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 230 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 210 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 200. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 210 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 230 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 210 may extend from the proximal end 202 toward the distal end 204 of the swab 200, and the tip portion 230 may extend from the distal end 204 toward the proximal end 202 of the swab 200. In some embodiments, as shown, the shall 210 and the tip portion 230 may be symmetric about, the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 210 and/or the tip portion 230 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 210 and the tip portion 230 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 210, or at least a portion of the shaft 210, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 230, or at least a portion of the tip portion 230, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 210 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 210 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 210 may include a proximal portion 212 having a first diameter, a distal portion 214 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 216 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 218 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 212, the distal portion 214, the intermediate portion 216, and the separation portion 218 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 210. As described above, the separation portion 218 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 212 from the intermediate portion 216. In some embodiments, the shaft 210 also may include a flange 220 extending outward from the proximal portion 212.

As shown, the tip portion 230 may include a body 232 and a plurality of protrusions 240. The body 232 may extend outward from the shaft 210 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L Each of the protrusions 240 may extend outward from the body 232 and transverse to the longitudinal axis A_L. The body 232 may provide a support structure for the protrusions 240. As shown, the body 232 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 232 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the body 232 may include two or more portions having different diameters. For example, as shown, the body 232 may include a proximal portion 234 and a distal portion 236, with the distal portion 236 having a greater diameter than the proximal portion 234. In some embodiments, the diameter of the distal portion 236 may vary along the length of the distal portion 236. For example, as shown, the diameter of the distal portion 236 may decrease from a maximum diameter at the proximal end of the distal portion 236 to a minimum diameter at the distal end of the distal portion 236, although other arrangements of a varying diameter of the distal portion 236 may be used. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the distal portion 236 (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 2B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the diameter of the proximal portion 234 may be equal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 212 of the shaft 210, and the minimum diameter of the distal portion 236 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 212.

The protrusions 240 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusions 240 may extend outward from the distal portion 236 of the body 232, and the proximal portion 234 may be devoid of any protrusions 240 extending therefrom. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 240 may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L. In other words, each of the protrusions 240 may extend in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the protrusions 240 may have a base end 242 and a free end 244, with a distance between the base end 242 and the free end 244 defining a height of the protrusion 240 relative to the body 232. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 240 may have the same height. In other embodiments, some of the protrusions 240 may have a first height, while other protrusions 240 may have a second height that is different from the first height. The free ends 244 of the protrusions 240 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the free ends 244 may vary along the length of the distal portion 236. For example, as shown, the third diameter may decrease from a maximum diameter defined by the free ends 244 of protrusions 240 positioned near or at the proximal end of the distal portion 236 to a minimum diameter defined by the free ends 244 of protrusions 240 positioned near or at the distal end of the distal portion 236, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined by the free ends 244 may be used. In some embodiments, as shown, the minimum diameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 212 of the shaft 210.

In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 240 may have a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 240 may have a frustoconical shape with a circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 240 may have an elongated shape with an elliptical cross-sectional shape or an oval cross-sectional shape. Still other shapes and cross-sectional shapes of the protrusions 240 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 240 may include a flat surface at the free end 244 thereof. In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 240 may include a rounded or otherwise curved surface at the free end 244 thereof. For example, in some embodiments, each of the protrusions 240 may include a protrusion base and a protrusion tip, with the protrusion base extending from the base end 242 to the protrusion tip and having a cylindrical or otherwise elongated shape, and with the protrusion tip extending from the protrusion base to the free end 244 and having a partial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical shape. In some embodiments, all of the protrusions 240 may have the same shape and the same size. In other embodiments, some of the protrusions 240 may have the same shape and the same size, while other protrusions 240 may have a different shape and/or a different size.

As shown, the plurality of protrusions 240 may include a series of circumferential arrays 250 of the protrusions 240 positioned along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the plurality of protrusions 240 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 250 positioned in series. Although fifteen (15) circumferential arrays 250 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferential arrays 250 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 250 may include four (4) or more protrusions 240 positioned in an array. Although twenty (20) protrusions 240 are provided for each of the circumferential arrays 250 in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more protrusions 240 for each of the circumferential arrays 250 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays 250, the respective free ends 244 of the protrusions 240 of the circumferential array 250 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 200. In some embodiments, for each of the circumferential arrays 250, the respective free ends 244 of the protrusions 240 of the circumferential array 250 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, as shown, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 250, the respective base ends 242 of consecutive pairs of the protrusions 240 of the circumferential array 250 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 250, the respective base ends 242 of the protrusions 240 of the circumferential array 250 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 250, the respective base ends 242 of the protrusions 240 of the circumferential array 250 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) in the circumferential direction.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 250 may include a first circumferential array 250a, a second circumferential array 250b, a third circumferential array 250c, and a fourth circumferential array 250d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 240 of each consecutive pair of circumferential arrays 250 may be offset from one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 240 of the first circumferential array 250a may be offset from the protrusions 240 of the second circumferential array 250b in the circumferential direction, the protrusions 240 of the second circumferential array 250b may be offset from the protrusions 240 of the third circumferential array 250c in the circumferential direction, and the protrusions 240 of the third circumferential array 250c may be offset from the protrusions 240 of the fourth circumferential array 250d in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 240 of each pair of circumferential arrays 250 separated from one another by only a single other circumferential array 250 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 240 of the first circumferential array 250a may be aligned with the protrusions 240 of the third circumferential array 250c in the circumferential direction, and the protrusions 240 of the second circumferential array 250b may be aligned with the protrusions 240 of the fourth circumferential array 250d in the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, as shown, the circumferential arrays 250 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 250 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, respective consecutive pairs of the circumferential arrays 250 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_L. Various configurations of the series of circumferential arrays 250 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 230 also may include a tip 260. As shown, the tip 260 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 230 and may define the distal end 204 of the swab 200. The tip 260 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 230 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 200. The shape of the tip 260 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 260 may have a frustoconical shape having a tapered surface extending to a flat surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 260. In some embodiments, the tip 260 may have a rounded or otherwise curved surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 260. Still other shapes for the tip 260 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the protrusions 240 of one or more of the circumferential arrays 250 may extend outward from a portion of the tip 260. In some embodiments, as shown, the entire tip 260 may be devoid of any protrusions 240 extending therefrom.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 200 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 200 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 300 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 300 and the swabs 100, 200 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 300 and the swabs 100, 200 relate to a shape of the body of the tip portion, a shape of the protrusions of the tip portion, and varying diameters defined by the free ends of the protrusions. The swab 300 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 300 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 300 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 300 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 302 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 304 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 300. In some embodiments, the swab 300, or at least a portion of the swab 300, may be flexible such that the swab 300 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 300 may include a shaft 310 and a tip portion 330 that is integrally formed with the shaft 310. During use, the shaft 310 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 330 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 330 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 310 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 300. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 310 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 330 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 310 may extend from the proximal end 302 toward the distal end 304 of the swab 300, and the tip portion 330 may extend from the distal end 304 toward the proximal end 302 of the swab 300. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 310 and the tip portion 330 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 310 and/or the tip portion 330 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 310 and the tip portion 330 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 310, or at least a portion of the shaft 310, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 330, or at least a portion of the tip portion 330, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 310 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 310 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 310 may include a proximal portion 312 having a first diameter, a distal portion 314 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 316 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 318 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 312, the distal portion 314, the intermediate portion 316, and the separation portion 318 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 310. As described above, the separation portion 318 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 312 from the intermediate portion 316. In some embodiments, the shaft 310 also may include a flange 320 extending outward from the proximal portion 312.

As shown, the tip portion 330 may include a body 332 and a plurality of protrusions 340. The body 332 may extend outward from the shaft 310 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the protrusions 340 may extend outward from the body 332 and transverse to the longitudinal axis A_L. The body 332 may provide a support structure for the protrusions 340. As shown, the body 332 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 332 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the body 332 may have a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-sectional shape having a constant diameter along the length of the body 332. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 332 may vary along the length of the body 332. In some embodiments, as shown, the diameter of the body 332 may be equal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 312 of the shaft 310. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 332 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 312.

The protrusions 340 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the protrusions 340 may extend outward from the body 332. In some embodiments, as shown, a proximal portion of the body 332 may be devoid of any protrusions 340 extending therefrom. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 340 may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L. In other words, each of the protrusions 340 may extend in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the protrusions 340 may have a base end 342 and a free end 344, with a distance between the base end 342 and the free end 344 defining a height of the protrusion 340 relative to the body 332. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusions 340 may have varying heights relative to the body 332. For example, as shown, the heights of the protrusions 340 may increase from a first height near or at the proximal end of the body 332 to a second height at an intermediate location along the length of the body 332 and may decrease from the second height at the intermediate location to a third height near or at the distal end of the body 332. In such embodiments, the first height and/or the third height may be a minimum height of the protrusions 340, and the second height may be a maximum height of the protrusions 340. Other variations of the height of the protrusions 340 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 340 may have the same height. The free ends 344 of the protrusions 340 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the free ends 344 may vary along the length of the body 332. For example, as shown, the third diameter may increase from a minimum diameter defined by the free ends 344 of protrusions 340 positioned near or at the proximal end of the body 332 to a maximum diameter defined by the free ends 344 of protrusions 340 positioned at the intermediate location and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter defined by the free ends 344 of protrusions 340 positioned near or at the distal end of the body 332, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined by the free ends 344 may be used. In some embodiments, as shown, the minimum diameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 312 of the shaft 310.

In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 340 may include a protrusion base 346 and a protrusion tip 348. The protrusion base 346 may extend from the base end 342 to the protrusion tip 348, and the protrusion tip 348 may extend from the protrusion base 346 to the free end 344. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusion base 346 may have a cylindrical shape, and the protrusion tip 348 may have a partial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical same. Other shapes of the protrusion base 346 and the protrusion tip 348 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, all of the protrusions 340 may have the same shape, although respective heights of the protrusions 340 may vary, as described above.

As shown, the plurality of protrusions 340 may include a series of circumferential arrays 350 of the protrusions 340 positioned along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the plurality of protrusions 340 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 350 positioned in series. Although twenty (20) circumferential arrays 350 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferential arrays 350 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 350 may include four (4) or more protrusions 340 positioned in an array. Although eight (8) protrusions 340 are provided for each of the circumferential arrays 350 in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more protrusions 340 for each of the circumferential arrays 350 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays 350, the respective free ends 344 of the protrusions 340 of the circumferential array 350 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, for each of the circumferential arrays 350, the respective free ends 344 of the protrusions 340 of the circumferential array 350 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays 350, the respective base ends 342 of the protrusions 340 of the circumferential array 350 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 350, the respective base ends 342 of consecutive pairs of the protrusions 340 of the circumferential array 350 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 350, the respective base ends 342 of the protrusions 340 of the circumferential array 350 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 350 may include a first circumferential array 350a, a second circumferential array 350b, a third circumferential array 350c, and a fourth circumferential array 350d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 340 of each consecutive pair of circumferential arrays 350 may be offset from one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 340 of the first circumferential array 350a may be offset from the protrusions 340 of the second circumferential array 350b in the circumferential direction, the protrusions 340 of the second circumferential array 350b may be offset from the protrusions 340 of the third circumferential array 350c in the circumferential direction, and the protrusions 340 of the third circumferential array 350c may be offset from the protrusions 340 of the fourth circumferential array 350d in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 340 of each pair of circumferential arrays 350 separated from one another by only a single other circumferential array 350 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 340 of the first circumferential array 350a may be aligned with the protrusions 340 of the third circumferential array 350c in the circumferential direction, and the protrusions 340 of the second circumferential array 350b may be aligned with the protrusions 340 of the fourth circumferential array 350d in the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, as shown, respective consecutive pairs of the circumferential arrays 350 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_L. Ira some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 350 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 350 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L. Various configurations of the series of circumferential arrays 350 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 330 also may include a tip 360. As shown, the tip 360 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 330 and may define the distal end 304 of the swab 300. The tip 360 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 330 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 300. The shape of the tip 360 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. Ira some embodiments, as shown, the tip 360 may have a cylindrical shape having a flat surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 360. As shown, a diameter of the tip 360 may be less than the diameter of the body 332. In some embodiments, the tip 360 may have a rounded or otherwise curved surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 360. Still other shapes for the tip 360 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusions 340 of one or more of the circumferential arrays 350 may extend outward from a portion of the tip 360. In some embodiments, the entire tip 360 may be devoid of any protrusions 340 extending therefrom.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 300 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 300 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 400 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 400 and the swabs 100, 200, 300 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 400 and the swab 300 relate to a configuration of the protrusions of consecutive circumferential arrays of protrusions of the tip portion. The swab 400 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 400 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 400 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 400 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 402 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 404 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 400. In some embodiments, the swab 400, or at least a portion of the swab 400, may be flexible such that the swab 400 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 400 may include a shaft 410 and a tip portion 430 that is integrally formed with the shaft 410. During use, the shaft 410 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 430 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 430 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 410 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 400. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 410 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 430 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 410 may extend from the proximal end 402 toward the distal end 404 of the swab 400, and the tip portion 430 may extend from the distal end 404 toward the proximal end 402 of the swab 400. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 410 and the tip portion 430 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 410 and/or the tip portion 430 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 410 and the tip portion 430 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 410, or at least a portion of the shaft 410, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 430, or at least a portion of the tip portion 430, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 410 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 410 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 410 may include a proximal portion 412 having a first diameter, a distal portion 414 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 416 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 418 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 412, the distal portion 414, the intermediate portion 416, and the separation portion 418 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 410. As described above, the separation portion 418 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 412 from the intermediate portion 416. In some embodiments, the shaft 410 also may include a flange 420 extending outward from the proximal portion 412.

As shown, the tip portion 430 may include a body 432 and a plurality of protrusions 440. The body 432 may extend outward from the shaft 410 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the protrusions 440 may extend outward from the body 432 and transverse to the longitudinal axis A_L. The body 432 may provide a support structure for the protrusions 440. As shown, the body 432 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 432 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the body 432 may have a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-sectional shape having a constant diameter along the length of the body 432. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 432 may vary along the length of the body 432. In some embodiments, as shown, the diameter of the body 432 may be equal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 412 of the shaft 410. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 432 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 412.

The protrusions 440 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the protrusions 440 may extend outward from the body 432. In some embodiments, as shown, a proximal portion of the body 432 may be devoid of any protrusions 440 extending therefrom. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 440 may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L. In other words, each of the protrusions 440 may extend in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the protrusions 440 may have a base end 442 and a free end 444, with a distance between the base end 442 and the free end 444 defining a height of the protrusion 440 relative to the body 432. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusions 440 may have varying heights relative to the body 432. For example, as shown, the heights of the protrusions 440 may increase from a first height near or at the proximal end of the body 432 to a second height at an intermediate location along the length of the body 432 and may decrease from the second height at the intermediate location to a third height near or at the distal end of the body 432. In such embodiments, the first height and/or the third height may be a minimum height of the protrusions 440, and the second height may be a maximum height of the protrusions 440. Other variations of the height of the protrusions 440 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 440 may have the same height. The free ends 444 of the protrusions 440 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the free ends 444 may vary along the length of the body 432. For example, as shown, the third diameter may increase from a minimum diameter defined by the free ends 444 of protrusions 440 positioned near or at the proximal end of the body 432 to a maximum diameter defined by the free ends 444 of protrusions 440 positioned at the intermediate location and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter defined by the free ends 444 of protrusions 440 positioned near or at the distal end of the body 432, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined by the free ends 444 may be used. In some embodiments, as shown, the minimum diameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 412 of the shaft 410.

In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 440 may include a protrusion base 446 and a protrusion tip 448. The protrusion base 446 may extend from the base end 442 to the protrusion tip 448, and the protrusion tip 448 may extend from the protrusion base 446 to the free end 444. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusion base 446 may have a cylindrical shape, and the protrusion tip 448 may have a partial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical same. Other shapes of the protrusion base 446 and the protrusion tip 448 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, all of the protrusions 440 may have the same shape, although respective heights of the protrusions 440 may vary, as described above.

As shown, the plurality of protrusions 440 may include a series of circumferential arrays 450 of the protrusions 440 positioned along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the plurality of protrusions 440 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 450 positioned in series. Although twenty (20) circumferential arrays 450 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferential arrays 450 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 450 may include four (4) or more protrusions 440 positioned in an array. Although eight (8) protrusions 440 are provided for each of the circumferential arrays 450 in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more protrusions 440 for each of the circumferential arrays 450 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays 450, the respective free ends 444 of the protrusions 440 of the circumferential array 450 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, for each of the circumferential arrays 450, the respective free ends 444 of the protrusions 440 of the circumferential array 450 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays 450, the respective base ends 442 of the protrusions 440 of the circumferential array 450 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 450, the respective base ends 442 of consecutive pairs of the protrusions 440 of the circumferential array 450 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 450, the respective base ends 442 of the protrusions 440 of the circumferential array 450 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 450 may include a first circumferential array 450a, a second circumferential array 450b, a third circumferential array 450c, and a fourth circumferential array 450d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 440 of each consecutive pair of circumferential arrays 450 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 440 of each of the circumferential arrays 450 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 440 of the first circumferential array 450a may be aligned in the circumferential direction with the protrusions 440 of the second circumferential array 450b, the protrusions 440 of the third circumferential array 450c, and the protrusions 440 of the fourth circumferential array 450d.

In some embodiments, as shown, respective consecutive pairs of the circumferential arrays 450 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 450 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 450 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L. Various configurations of the series of circumferential arrays 450 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 430 also may include a tip 460. As shown, the tip 460 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 430 and may define the distal end 404 of the swab 400. The tip 460 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 430 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 400. The shape of the tip 460 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 460 may have a cylindrical shape having a flat surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 460. As shown, a diameter of the tip 460 may be less than the diameter of the body 432. In some embodiments, the tip 460 may have a rounded or otherwise curved surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 460. Still other shapes for the tip 460 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusions 440 of one or more of the circumferential arrays 450 may extend outward from a portion of the tip 460. In some embodiments, the entire tip 460 may be devoid of any protrusions 440 extending therefrom.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 400 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 4A-4C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 400 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 500 (which also may be referred to as a. “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 500 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 500 and the swab 100 relate to a shape of the body of the tip portion, a shape of the protrusions of the tip portion, a configuration of the protrusions of consecutive circumferential arrays of protrusions, and varying diameters defined by the free ends of the protrusions. The swab 500 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 500 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 500 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 500 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 502 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 504 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 500. In some embodiments, the swab 500, or at least a portion of the swab 500, may be flexible such that the swab 500 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 500 may include a shaft 510 and a tip portion 530 that is integrally formed with the shaft 510. During use, the shaft 510 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 530 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 530 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 510 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 500. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 510 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 530 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 510 may extend from the proximal end 502 toward the distal end 504 of the swab 500, and the tip portion 530 may extend from the distal end 504 toward the proximal end 502 of the swab 500. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 510 and the tip portion 530 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 510 and/or the tip portion 530 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 510 and the tip portion 530 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 510, or at least a portion of the shaft 510, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 530, or at least a portion of the tip portion 530, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 510 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 510 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 510 may include a proximal portion 512 having a first diameter, a distal portion 514 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 516 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 518 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 512, the distal portion 514, the intermediate portion 516, and the separation portion 518 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 510. As described above, the separation portion 518 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 512 from the intermediate portion 516. In some embodiments, the shaft 510 also may include a flange 520 extending outward from the proximal portion 512.

As shown, the tip portion 530 may include a body 532 and a plurality of protrusions 540. The body 532 may extend outward from the shaft 510 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the protrusions 540 may extend outward from the body 532 and transverse to the longitudinal axis A_L. The body 532 may provide a support structure for the protrusions 540. As shown, the body 532 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 532 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the body 532 may include two or more portions having different diameters. For example, as shown, the body 532 may include a proximal portion 534 and a distal portion 536, with the distal portion 536 having a greater diameter than the proximal portion 534. In some embodiments, the diameter of the distal portion 536 may vary along the length of the distal portion 536. For example, as shown, the diameter of the distal portion 536 may increase from a minimum diameter at or near the proximal end of the distal portion 536 to a maximum diameter at an intermediate location along the length of the distal portion 536 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter at or near the distal end of the distal portion 536, although other arrangements of a varying diameter of the distal portion 536 may be used. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the distal portion 536 (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 5B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter of the proximal portion 534 may vary along the length of the proximal portion 534. In some embodiments, as shown, a maximum diameter of the proximal portion 534 may be equal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 512 of the shaft 510, and the maximum diameter of the distal portion 536 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 512.

The protrusions 540 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusions 540 may extend outward from the distal portion 536 of the body 532, and the proximal portion 534 may be devoid of any, protrusions 540 extending therefrom. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 540 may extend perpendicular to a respective surface of the distal portion 536 at which the protrusion 540 is positioned. Each of the protrusions 540 may have a base end 542 and a free end 544, with a distance between the base end 542 and the free end 544 defining a height of the protrusion 540 relative to the body 532. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 540 may have the same height. In other embodiments, some of the protrusions 540 may have a first height, while other protrusions 540 may have a second height that is different from the first height. The free ends 544 of the protrusions 540 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the free ends 544 may vary along the length of the distal portion 536. For example, as shown, the third diameter may increase from a minimum diameter defined by the free ends 544 of protrusions 540 positioned near or at the proximal end of the distal portion 536 to a maximum diameter defined by the free ends 544 of protrusions 540 positioned at an intermediate location along the length of the distal portion 536 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter defined by the free ends 544 of protrusions 540 positioned near or at the distal end of the distal portion 236, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined by the free ends 544 may be used. In some embodiments, the minimum diameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 512 of the shaft 510.

In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 540 may have a partial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical shape. Other shapes of the protrusions 540 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, all of the protrusions 540 may have the same shape and the same size. In other embodiments, some of the protrusions 540 may have the same shape and the same size, while other protrusions 540 may have a different shape and/or a different size.

As shown, the plurality of protrusions 540 may include a series of circumferential arrays 550 of the protrusions 540 positioned along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the plurality of protrusions 540 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 550 positioned in series. Although twenty-four (24) circumferential arrays 550 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferential arrays 550 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 550 may include four (4) or more protrusions 540 positioned in an array. In some embodiments, some of the circumferential arrays 550 each may include a first number of the protrusions 540, while other circumferential arrays 550 each may include a different, second number of the protrusions 540. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, some of the circumferential arrays 550 each may include sixteen (16) protrusions 540, while other circumferential arrays 550 each may include eight (8) protrusions 540. Fewer or more protrusions 540 for each of the circumferential arrays 550 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays 550, the respective free ends 544 of the protrusions 540 of the circumferential array 550 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, for each of the circumferential arrays 550, the respective free ends 544 of the protrusions 540 of the circumferential array 550 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, as shown, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 550, the respective base ends 542 of consecutive pairs of the protrusions 540 of the circumferential array 550 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 550 the respective base ends 542 of the protrusions 540 of the circumferential array 550 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 550, the respective base ends 542 of the protrusions 540 of the circumferential array 550 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) in the circumferential direction.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 550 may include a first circumferential array 550a, a second circumferential array 550b, a third circumferential array 550c, and a fourth circumferential array 550d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 540 of each consecutive pair of circumferential arrays 550 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 540 of each of the circumferential arrays 550 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 540 of the first circumferential array 550a may be aligned in the circumferential direction with the protrusions 540 of the second circumferential array 550b, the protrusions 540 of the third circumferential array 550c, and the protrusions 540 of the fourth circumferential array 550d.

In some embodiments, as shown, the circumferential arrays 550 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 550 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, respective consecutive pairs of the circumferential arrays 550 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_L. Various configurations of the series of circumferential arrays 550 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 530 also may include a tip 560. As shown, the tip 560 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 530. The tip 560 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 530 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 500. The shape of the tip 560 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 560 may have a rounded or otherwise curved surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 560. Other shapes for the tip 560 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusions 540 of one or more of the circumferential arrays 550 may extend outward and/or distally from a portion of the tip 560. In some embodiments, the entire tip 560 may be devoid of any protrusions 540 extending therefrom. In some embodiments, as shown, one or more of the protrusions 540 extending from the tip 560 may define the distal end 504 of the swab 500. In some embodiments, the tip 560 may define the distal end 504 of the swab 500.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 500 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 5A-5C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 500 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 600 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 600 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 600 and the swab 500 relate to the tip portion including a plurality of recesses instead of protrusions. The swab 600 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 600 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 600 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 600 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 602 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 604 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 600. In some embodiments, the swab 600, or at least a portion of the swab 600, may be flexible such that the swab 600 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 600 may include a shaft 610 and a tip portion 630 that is integrally formed with the shaft 610. During use, the shaft 610 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 630 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 630 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 610 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 600. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 610 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 630 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 610 may extend from the proximal end 602 toward the distal end 604 of the swab 600, and the tip portion 630 may extend from the distal end 604 toward the proximal end 602 of the swab 600. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 610 and the tip portion 630 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 610 and/or the tip portion 630 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 610 and the tip portion 630 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 610, or at least a portion of the shaft 610, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 630, or at least a portion of the tip portion 630, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 610 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 610 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 610 may include a proximal portion 612 having a first diameter, a distal portion 614 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 616 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 618 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 612, the distal portion 614, the intermediate portion 616, and the separation portion 618 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 610. As described above, the separation portion 618 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 612 from the intermediate portion 616. In some embodiments, the shaft 610 also may include a flange 620 extending outward from the proximal portion 612.

As shown, the tip portion 630 may include a body 632 and a plurality of recesses 640 (which also may be referred to as “openings”) defined in the body 632. The body 632 may extend outward from the shaft 610 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the recesses 640 may extend inward toward the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the body 632 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 632 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the body 632 may include two or more portions having different diameters. For example, as shown, the body 632 may include a proximal portion 634 and a distal portion 636, with the distal portion 636 having a greater diameter than the proximal portion 634. In some embodiments, the diameter of the distal portion 636 may vary along the length of the distal portion 636. For example, as shown, the diameter of the distal portion 636 may increase from a minimum diameter at or near the proximal end of the distal portion 636 to a maximum diameter at an intermediate location along the length of the distal portion 636 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter at or near the distal end of the distal portion 636, although other arrangements of a varying diameter of the distal portion 636 may be used. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the distal portion 636 (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 6B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter of the proximal portion 634 may vary along the length of the proximal portion 634. In some embodiments, a maximum diameter of the proximal portion 634 may be equal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 612 of the shaft 610, and the maximum diameter of the distal portion 636 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 612.

The recesses 640 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample therein. In some embodiments, as shown, the recesses 640 may be defined in the distal portion 636 of the body 632, and the proximal portion 634 may be devoid of any recesses 640 defined therein. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the recesses 640 may extend perpendicular to a respective surface of the distal portion 636 at which the recess 640 is positioned. Each of the recesses 640 may have an open end 642 and a closed end 644, with a distance between the open end 642 and the closed end 644 defining a depth of the recess 640. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the recesses 640 may have the same depth. In other embodiments, some of the recesses 640 may have a first depth, while other recesses 640 may have a second depth that is different from the first depth. The closed ends 644 of the recesses 640 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the closed ends 644 may vary along the length of the distal portion 636. For example, as shown, the third diameter may increase from a minimum diameter defined by the closed ends 644 of recesses 640 positioned near or at the proximal end of the distal portion 636 to a maximum diameter defined by the closed ends 644 of recesses 640 positioned at an intermediate location along the length of the distal portion 636 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter defined by the closed ends 644 of recesses 640 positioned near or at the distal end of the distal portion 636, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined by the closed ends 644 may be used. In some embodiments, the minimum diameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 612 of the shaft 610.

In some embodiments, each of the recesses 640 may have a partial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical shape. Other shapes of the recesses 640 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, all of the recesses 640 may have the same shape and the same size. In other embodiments, some of the recesses 640 may have the same shape and the same size, while other recesses 640 may have a different shape and/or a different size.

As shown, the plurality of recesses 640 may include a series of circumferential arrays 650 of the recesses 640 positioned along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the plurality of recesses 640 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 650 positioned in series. Although twenty-four (24) circumferential arrays 650 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferential arrays 650 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 650 may include four (4) or more recesses 640 positioned in an array. In some embodiments, some of the circumferential arrays 650 each may include a first number of the recesses 640, while other circumferential arrays 650 each may include a different, second number of the recesses 640. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, some of the circumferential arrays 650 each may include seven (7) recesses 640, while other circumferential arrays 650 each may include fourteen (14) recesses 640. Fewer or more recesses 640 for each of the circumferential arrays 650 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays 650, the respective open ends 642 of the recesses 640 of the circumferential array 650 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, for each of the circumferential arrays 650, the respective open ends 642 of the recesses 640 of the circumferential array 650 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 650, the respective open ends 642 of the recesses 640 of the circumferential array 650 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) in the circumferential direction.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 650 may include a first circumferential array 650a, a second circumferential array 650b, a third circumferential array 650c, and a fourth circumferential array 650d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the respective recesses 640 of each consecutive pair of circumferential arrays 650 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respective recesses 640 of each of the circumferential arrays 650 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the recesses 640 of the first circumferential array 650a may be aligned in the circumferential direction with the recesses 640 of the second circumferential array 650b, the recesses 640 of the third circumferential array 650c, and the recesses 640 of the fourth circumferential array 650d.

In some embodiments, as shown, the circumferential arrays 650 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 650 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, respective consecutive pairs of the circumferential arrays 650 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_L. Various configurations of the series of circumferential arrays 650 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 630 also may include a tip 660. As shown, the tip 660 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 630 and may define the distal end 604 of the swab 600. The tip 660 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 630 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 600. The shape of the tip 660 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 660 may have a rounded or otherwise curved surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 660. Other shapes for the tip 660 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the recesses 640 of one or more of the circumferential arrays 650 may be defined in a portion of the tip 660. In some embodiments, as shown, an additional, single recess 640 may be defined in the tip 660 and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the entire tip 660 may be devoid of any recesses 640 defined therein.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 600 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 6A-6C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 600 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 700 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 700 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 700 and the swab 600 relate to a shape of the body of the tip portion and a shape of the tip of the tip portion. The swab 700 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 700 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 700 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 700 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 702 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 704 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 700. In some embodiments, the swab 700, or at least a portion of the swab 700, may be flexible such that the swab 700 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 700 may include a shaft 710 and a tip portion 730 that is integrally formed with the shaft 710. During use, the shaft 710 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 730 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 730 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 710 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 700. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 710 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 730 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 710 may extend from the proximal end 702 toward the distal end 704 of the swab 700, and the tip portion 730 may extend from the distal end 704 toward the proximal end 702 of the swab 700. In some embodiments, as shown, the shall 710 and the tip portion 730 may be symmetric about, the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 710 and/or the tip portion 730 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 710 and the tip portion 730 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 710, or at least a portion of the shaft 710, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 730, or at least a portion of the tip portion 730, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 710 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 710 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 710 may include a proximal portion 712 having a first diameter, a distal portion 714 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 716 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 718 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 712, the distal portion 714, the intermediate portion 716, and the separation portion 718 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 710. As described above, the separation portion 718 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 712 from the intermediate portion 716. In some embodiments, the shaft 710 also may include a flange 720 extending outward from the proximal portion 712.

As shown, the tip portion 730 may include a body 732 and a plurality of recesses 740 (which also may be referred to as “openings”) defined in the body 732. The body 732 may extend outward from the shaft 710 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the recesses 740 may extend inward toward the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the body 732 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 732 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 732 may vary along the length of the body 732. For example, as shown, the diameter of the body 732 may increase from a minimum diameter at or near the proximal end of the body 732 to a maximum diameter at an intermediate location along the length of the body 732 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter at or near the distal end of the body 732, although other arrangements of a varying diameter of the body 732 may be used. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the body 732 (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 7B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, a maximum diameter of the body 732 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 712 of the shaft 710.

The recesses 740 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample therein. In some embodiments, as shown, the recesses 740 may be defined in a distal portion of the body 732, and a proximal portion of the body 732 may be devoid of any recesses 740 defined therein. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the recesses 740 may extend perpendicular to a respective surface of the body 732 at which the recess 740 is positioned. Each of the recesses 740 may have an open end 742 and a closed end 744, with a distance between the open end 742 and the closed end 744 defining a depth of the recess 740. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the recesses 740 may have the same depth. In other embodiments, some of the recesses 740 may have a first depth, while other recesses 740 may have a second depth that is different from the first depth. The closed ends 744 of the recesses 740 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the closed ends 744 may vary along the length of the body 732. For example, as shown, the third diameter may increase from a minimum diameter defined by the closed ends 744 of recesses 740 positioned near or at the proximal end of the body 732 to a maximum diameter defined by the closed ends 744 of recesses 740 positioned at an intermediate location along the length of the body 732 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter defined by the closed ends 744 of recesses 740 positioned near or at the distal end of the body 732, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined by the closed ends 744 may be used. In some embodiments, the minimum diameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 712 of the shaft 710.

In some embodiments, each of the recesses 740 may have a partial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical shape. Other shapes of the recesses 740 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, all of the recesses 740 may have the same shape and the same size. In other embodiments, some of the recesses 740 may have the same shape and the same size, while other recesses 740 may have a different shape and/or a different size.

As shown, the plurality of recesses 740 may include a series of circumferential arrays 750 of the recesses 740 positioned along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the plurality of recesses 740 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 750 positioned in series. Although twenty-three (23) circumferential arrays 750 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferential arrays 750 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 750 may include four (4) or more recesses 740 positioned in an array. Although fourteen (14) recesses 740 are provided for each of the circumferential arrays 750 in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more recesses 740 for each of the circumferential arrays 750 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays 750, the respective open ends 742 of the recesses 740 of the circumferential array 750 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, for each of the circumferential arrays 750, the respective open ends 742 of the recesses 740 of the circumferential array 750 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 750, the respective open ends 742 of the recesses 740 of the circumferential array 750 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) in the circumferential direction.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 750 may include a first circumferential array 750a, a second circumferential array 750b, a third circumferential array 750c, and a fourth circumferential array 750d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the respective recesses 740 of each consecutive pair of circumferential arrays 750 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respective recesses 740 of each of the circumferential arrays 750 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the recesses 740 of the first circumferential array 750a may be aligned in the circumferential direction with the recesses 740 of the second circumferential array 750b, the recesses 740 of the third circumferential array 750c, and the recesses 740 of the fourth circumferential array 750d.

In some embodiments, as shown, the circumferential arrays 750 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 750 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, respective consecutive pairs of the circumferential arrays 750 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_L. Various configurations of the series of circumferential arrays 750 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 730 also may include a tip 760. As shown, the tip 760 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 730 and may define the distal end 704 of the swab 700. The tip 760 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 730 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 700. The shape of the tip 760 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 760 may have a flat surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 760. Other shapes for the tip 760 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 760 may be devoid of any recesses 740. In some embodiments, one or more of the recesses 740 may be defined in a portion of the tip 760.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 700 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 7A-7C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 700 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 800 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 800 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 800 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 relate to the tip portion having annular ribs instead of protrusions or recesses. The swab 800 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 800 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 800 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 800 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 802 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 804 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 800. In some embodiments, the swab 800, or at least a portion of the swab 800, may be flexible such that the swab 800 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 800 may include a shaft 810 and a tip portion 830 that is integrally formed with the shaft 810. During use, the shaft 810 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 830 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 830 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 810 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 800. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 810 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 830 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 810 may extend from the proximal end 802 toward the distal end 804 of the swab 800, and the tip portion 830 may extend from the distal end 804 toward the proximal end 802 of the swab 800. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 810 and the tip portion 830 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 810 and/or the tip portion 830 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 810 and the tip portion 830 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 810, or at least a portion of the shaft 810, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 830, or at least a portion of the tip portion 830, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 810 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 810 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 810 may include a proximal portion 812 having a first diameter, a distal portion 814 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 816 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 818 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 812, the distal portion 814, the intermediate portion 816, and the separation portion 818 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 810. As described above, the separation portion 818 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 812 from the intermediate portion 816. In some embodiments, the shaft 810 also may include a flange 820 extending outward from the proximal portion 812.

As shown, the tip portion 830 may include a body 832 and a series of annular ribs 840. The body 832 may extend outward from the shaft 810 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 840 may extend outward from the body 832 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the body 832 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 832 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 832 may vary along the length of the body 832. For example, as shown, the diameter of the body 832 may increase from a minimum diameter at or near the proximal end of the body 832 to a maximum diameter at an intermediate location along the length of the body 832 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter at or near the distal end of the body 832, although other arrangements of a varying diameter of the body 832 may be used. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the body 832 (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 8B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 832 may be constant along the length of the body 832. In some embodiments, a maximum diameter of the body 832 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 812 of the shaft 810.

The annular ribs 840 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon and/or therebetween. As shown, each of the annular ribs 840 may extend around the entire circumference of the body 832 and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 840 may have a proximal end 842 and a distal end 844 positioned opposite one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, as shown, the proximal end 842 may be defined by a proximal surface of the annular rib 840 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L, and the distal end 844 may be defined by a distal surface of the annular rib 840 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 840 may include an outer surface 846 (which also may be referred to as an “outer circumferential surface”) that extends from the proximal end 842 to the distal end 844 and defines a radially-outer extent of the annular rib 840. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the outer surface 846 (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 8B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, all of the annular ribs 840 may have the same shape and different sizes. In other embodiments, some of the annular ribs 840 may have the same shape and the same size, while other annular ribs 840 may have a different shape and/or a different size.

Each of the annular ribs 840 may have a height defined as a distance between the outer surface 846 of the annular rib 840 and the respective portion of the body 832 from which the annular rib 840 radially extends. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 840 may have a height that is constant along the length of the annular rib 840. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 840 may have a height that varies along the length of the annular rib 840. The outer surfaces 846 of the annular ribs 840 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the outer surfaces 846 may vary along the length of the body 832. For example, as shown, the third diameter may increase from a minimum diameter defined by the outer surface 846 of one of the annular ribs 840 positioned near or at the proximal end of the body 832 to a maximum diameter defined by the outer surface 846 of one of the annular ribs 840 positioned at an intermediate location along the length of the body 832 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter defined by the outer surface 846 of one of the annular ribs 840 positioned near or at the distal end of the body 832, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined by the outer surfaces 846 may be used. In some embodiments, the minimum diameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 812 of the shaft 810.

In some embodiments, the series of annular ribs 840 may include four (4) or more annular ribs 840 positioned in series along the longitudinal axis A_L. Although eight (8) annular ribs 840 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more annular ribs 840 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the annular ribs 840 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In this manner, an annular groove 850 may be defined between each consecutive pair of the annular ribs 840. In some embodiments, the annular ribs 840 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, respective consecutive pairs of the annular ribs 840 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_L. Various configurations of the series of annular ribs 840 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 830 also may include a tip 860. As shown, the tip 860 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 830 and may define the distal end 804 of the swab 800. The tip 860 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 830 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 800. The shape of the tip 860 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 860 may have a frustoconical shape, although other shapes for the tip 860 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 860 may be devoid of any annular ribs 840. In some embodiments, one or more of the annular ribs 840 may extend from a portion of the tip 860.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 800 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 8A-8C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 800 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 9A-9C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 900 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 900 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 900 and the swab 800 relate to a shape of the body of the tip portion, a shape of the annular ribs of the tip portion, and an arrangement of the annular ribs along the body. The swab 900 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 900 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 900 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 900 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 902 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 904 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 900. In some embodiments, the swab 900, or at least a portion of the swab 900, may be flexible such that the swab 900 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 900 may include a shaft 910 and a tip portion 930 that is integrally formed with the shaft 910. During use, the shaft 910 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 930 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 930 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 910 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 900. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 910 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 930 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 910 may extend from the proximal end 902 toward the distal end 904 of the swab 900, and the tip portion 930 may extend from the distal end 904 toward the proximal end 902 of the swab 900. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 910 and the tip portion 930 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 910 and/or the tip portion 930 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 910 and the tip portion 930 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 910, or at least a portion of the shaft 910, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 930, or at least a portion of the tip portion 930, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 910 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 910 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 910 may include a proximal portion 912 having a first diameter, a distal portion 914 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 916 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 918 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 912, the distal portion 914, the intermediate portion 916, and the separation portion 918 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 910. As described above, the separation portion 918 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 912 from the intermediate portion 916. In some embodiments, the shaft 910 also may include a flange 920 extending outward from the proximal portion 912.

As shown, the tip portion 930 may include a body 932 and a series of annular ribs 940. The body 932 may extend outward from the shaft 910 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 940 may extend outward from the body 932 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the body 932 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 932 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the body 932 may include two or more portions having different diameters. For example, as shown, the body 932 may include a proximal portion 934 and a distal portion 936, with the distal portion 936 having a greater diameter than the proximal portion 934. In some embodiments, the diameter of the distal portion 936 may vary along the length of the distal portion 936. For example, as shown, the diameter of the distal portion 936 may increase from a minimum diameter at or near the proximal end of the distal portion 936 to a maximum diameter at an intermediate location along the length of the distal portion 936 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter at or near the distal end of the distal portion 936, although other arrangements of a varying diameter of the distal portion 936 may be used. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the distal portion 936 (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 9B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter of the proximal portion 934 may vary along the length of the proximal portion 934. In some embodiments, a maximum diameter of the proximal portion 934 may be equal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 912 of the shaft 910, and the maximum diameter of the distal portion 936 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 912.

The annular ribs 940 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon and/or therebetween. As shown, each of the annular ribs 940 may extend around the entire circumference of the body 932 and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 940 may have a proximal end 942 and a distal end 944 positioned opposite one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the proximal end 942 may be defined by a proximal surface of the annular rib 940 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L, and the distal end 944 may be defined by a distal surface of the annular rib 940 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 940 may include one or more outer surfaces 946 (which also may be referred to as an “outer circumferential surface”) that extend(s) from the proximal end 942 to the distal end 944 and define(s) a radially-outer extent of the annular rib 940. As shown, for example, each of the annular ribs 940 may include a proximal outer surface 946a (which also may be referred to as a “first outer surface”) and a distal outer surface 946b (which also may be referred to as a “second outer surface”). In some embodiments, an outer profile of the proximal outer surface 946a (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 9B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the distal outer surface 946b (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 9B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, all of the annular ribs 940 may have the same shape and different sizes. In other embodiments, some of the annular ribs 940 may have the same shape and the same size, while other annular ribs 940 may have a different shape and/or a different size.

Each of the annular ribs 940 may have a first height defined as a distance between the proximal outer surface 946a of the annular rib 940 and the respective portion of the body 932 from which the annular rib 940 radially extends, and a second height defined as a distance between the distal outer surface 946b of the annular rib 940 and the respective portion of the body 932 from which the annular rib 940 radially extends. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 940 may have a first height and/or a second height that is constant along the length of the annular rib 940. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 940 may have a first height and/or a second height that varies along the length of the annular rib 940. The outer surfaces 946 of the annular ribs 940 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the outer surfaces 946 may vary along the length of the body 932. For example, as shown, the third diameter may increase from a minimum diameter defined by the outer surface 946 of one of the annular ribs 940 positioned near or at the proximal end of the body 932 to a maximum diameter defined by the outer surface 946 of one of the annular ribs 940 positioned at an intermediate location along the length of the body 932 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter defined by the outer surface 946 of one of the annular ribs 940 positioned near or at the distal end of the body 932, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined by the outer surfaces 946 may be used. In some embodiments, the minimum diameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 912 of the shaft 910.

In some embodiments, the series of annular ribs 940 may include four (4) or more annular ribs 940 positioned in series along the longitudinal axis A_L. Although seven (7) annular ribs 940 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more annular ribs 940 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, respective consecutive pairs of the annular ribs 940 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the annular ribs 940 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In this manner, an annular groove may be defined between each consecutive pair of the annular ribs 940. In some embodiments, the annular ribs 940 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L. Various configurations of the series of annular ribs 940 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 930 also may include a tip 960. As shown, the tip 960 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 930 and may define the distal end 904 of the swab 900. The tip 960 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 930 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 900. The shape of the tip 960 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 960 may have a rounded or curved shape, although other shapes for the tip 960 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 960 may be devoid of any annular ribs 940. In some embodiments, one or more of the annular ribs 940 may extend from a portion of the tip 960.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 900 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 9A-9C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 900 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 10A-10C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 1000 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 1000 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 1000 and the swab 800 relate to a shape of the body of the tip portion, a shape of the annular ribs of the tip portion, and an arrangement of the annular ribs along the body. The swab 1000 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 1000 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 1000 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 1000 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 1002 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 1004 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 1000. In some embodiments, the swab 1000, or at least a portion of the swab 1000, may be flexible such that the swab 1000 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 1000 may include a shaft 1010 and a tip portion 1030 that is integrally, formed with the shaft 1010. During use, the shaft 1010 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 1030 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 1030 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 1010 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 1000. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 1010 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 1030 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 1010 may extend from the proximal end 1002 toward the distal end 1004 of the swab 1000, and the tip portion 1030 may extend from the distal end 1004 toward the proximal end 1002 of the swab 1000. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1010 and the tip portion 1030 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 1010 and/or the tip portion 1030 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 1010 and the tip portion 1030 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 1010, or at least a portion of the shaft 1010, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 1030, or at least a portion of the tip portion 1030, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 1010 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 1010 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1010 may include a proximal portion 1012 having a first diameter, a distal portion 1014 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 1016 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 1018 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 1012, the distal portion 1014, the intermediate portion 1016, and the separation portion 1018 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 1010. As described above, the separation portion 1018 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 1012 from the intermediate portion 1016. In some embodiments, the shaft 1010 also may include a flange 1020 extending outward from the proximal portion 1012.

As shown, the tip portion 1030 may include a body 1032 and a series of annular ribs 1040. The body 1032 may extend outward from the shaft 1010 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 1040 may extend outward from the body 1032 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the body 1032 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 1032 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the diameter of the body 1032 may be constant along the length of the body 1032. In this manner, the body 1032 may have a cylindrical shape and an outer profile (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 10B) having a linear shape. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 1032 may vary along the length of the body 1032, with an outer profile of the body 1032 having a curved shape or a linear, tapered shape. In some embodiments, a maximum diameter of the body 1032 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 1012 of the shaft 1010.

The annular ribs 1040 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon and/or therebetween. As shown, each of the annular ribs 1040 may extend around the entire circumference of the body 1032 and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 1040 may have a proximal end 1042 and a distal end 1044 positioned opposite one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the proximal end 1042 may be defined by a proximal surface of the annular rib 1040 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L, and the distal end 1044 may be defined by a distal surface of the annular rib 1040 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 1040 may include an outer surface 1046 (which also may be referred to as an “outer circumferential surface”) that extends from the proximal end 1042 to the distal end 1044 and defines a radially-outer extent of the annular rib 1040. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the outer surface 1046 (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 10B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, all of the annular ribs 1040 may have the same shape and different sizes. In other embodiments, some of the annular ribs 1040 may have the same shape and the same size, while other annular ribs 1040 may have a different shape and/or a different size.

Each of the annular ribs 1040 may have a height defined as a distance between the outer surface 1046 of the annular rib 1040 and the respective portion of the body 1032 from which the annular rib 1040 radially extends. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 1040 may have a height that varies along the length of the annular rib 1040. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 1040 may have a height that is constant along the length of the annular rib 1040. The outer surfaces 1046 of the annular ribs 1040 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the outer surfaces 1046 may vary along the length of the body 1032. For example, as shown, the third diameter may increase from a minimum diameter defined by the outer surface 1046 of one of the annular ribs 1040 positioned near or at the proximal end of the body 1032 to a maximum diameter defined by the outer surface 1046 of one of the annular ribs 1040 positioned at an intermediate location along the length of the body 1032 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter defined by the outer surface 1046 of one of the annular ribs 1040 positioned near or at the distal end of the body 1032, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined by the outer surfaces 1046 may be used. In some embodiments, the minimum diameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 1012 of the shaft 1010.

In some embodiments, the series of annular ribs 1040 may include four (4) or more annular ribs 1040 positioned in series along the longitudinal axis A_L. Although twelve (12) annular ribs 1040 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more annular ribs 1040 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, respective consecutive pairs of the annular ribs 1040 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the annular ribs 1040 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In this manner, an annular groove may be defined between each consecutive pair of the annular ribs 1040. In some embodiments, the annular ribs 1040 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L. Various configurations of the series of annular ribs 1040 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 1030 also may include a tip 1060. As shown, the tip 1060 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 1030 and may define the distal end 1004 of the swab 1000. The tip 1060 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 1030 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 1000. The shape of the tip 1060 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 1060 may have a frustoconical shape, although other shapes for the tip 1060 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 1060 may be devoid of any annular ribs 1040. In some embodiments, one or more of the annular ribs 1040 may extend from a portion of the tip 1060.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 1000 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 10A-10C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 1000 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 11A-11C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 1100 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 1100 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 1100 and the swab 1000 relate to a shape and relative size of the annular ribs of the tip portion, and a shape of the tip of the tip portion. The swab 1100 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 1100 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 1100 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 1100 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 1102 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 1104 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 1100. In some embodiments, the swab 1100, or at least a portion of the swab 1100, may be flexible such that the swab 1100 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 1100 may include a shaft 1110 and a tip portion 1130 that is integrally formed with the shaft 1110. During use, the shaft 1110 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 1130 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 1130 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 1110 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 1100. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 1110 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 1130 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 1110 may extend from the proximal end 1102 toward the distal end 1104 of the swab 1100, and the tip portion 1130 may extend from the distal end 1104 toward the proximal end 1102 of the swab 1100. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1110 and the tip portion 1130 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 1110 and/or the tip portion 1130 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 1110 and the tip portion 1130 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 1110, or at least a portion of the shaft 1110, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 1130, or at least a portion of the tip portion 1130, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 1110 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 1110 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1110 may include a proximal portion 1112 having a first diameter, a distal portion 1114 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 1116 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 1118 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 1112, the distal portion 1114, the intermediate portion 1116, and the separation portion 1118 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 1110. As described above, the separation portion 1118 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 1112 from the intermediate portion 1116. In some embodiments, the shaft 1110 also may include a flange 1120 extending outward from the proximal portion 1112.

As shown, the tip portion 1130 may include a body 1132 and a series of annular ribs 1140. The body 1132 may extend outward from the shaft 1110 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 1140 may extend outward from the body 1132 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the body 1132 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 1132 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the diameter of the body 1132 may be constant along the length of the body 1132. In this manner, the body 1132 may have a cylindrical shape and an outer profile (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 11B) having a linear shape. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 1132 may vary along the length of the body 1132, with an outer profile of the body 1132 having a curved shape or a linear, tapered shape. In some embodiments, a maximum diameter of the body 1132 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 1112 of the shaft 1110.

The annular ribs 1140 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon and/or therebetween. As shown, each of the annular ribs 1140 may extend around the entire circumference of the body 1132 and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 1140 may have a proximal end 1142 and a distal end 1144 positioned opposite one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the proximal end 1142 may be defined by a proximal surface of the annular rib 1140 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L, and the distal end 1144 may be defined by a distal surface of the annular rib 1140 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 1140 may include an outer surface 1146 (which also may be referred to as an “outer circumferential surface”) that extends from the proximal end 1142 to the distal end 1144 and defines a radially-outer extent of the annular rib 1140. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the outer surface 1146 (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 11B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, all of the annular ribs 1140 may have the same shape and different sizes. In other embodiments, some of the annular ribs 1140 may have the same shape and the same size, while other annular ribs 1140 may have a different shape and/or a different size.

Each of the annular ribs 1140 may have a height defined as a distance between the outer surface 1146 of the annular rib 1140 and the respective portion of the body 1132 from which the annular rib 1140 radially extends. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 1140 may have a height that varies along the length of the annular rib 1140. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 1140 may have a height that is constant along the length of the annular rib 1140. The outer surfaces 1146 of the annular ribs 1140 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the outer surfaces 1146 may vary along the length of the body 1132. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the outer surfaces 1146 may be constant along the length of the body 1132. In some embodiments, a minimum diameter defined by the outer surfaces 1146 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 1112 of the shaft 1110.

In some embodiments, the series of annular ribs 1140 may include four (4) or more annular ribs 1140 positioned in series along the longitudinal axis A_L. Although nineteen (19) annular ribs 1140 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more annular ribs 1140 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, respective consecutive pairs of the annular ribs 1140 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the annular ribs 1140 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In this manner, an annular groove may be defined between each consecutive pair of the annular ribs 1140. In some embodiments, the annular ribs 1140 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L. Various configurations of the series of annular ribs 1140 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 1130 also may include a tip 1160. As shown, the tip 1160 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 1130 and may define the distal end 1104 of the swab 1100. The tip 1160 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 1130 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 1100. The shape of the tip 1160 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 1160 may have a partial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical shape, although other shapes for the tip 1160 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 1160 may be devoid of any annular ribs 1140. In some embodiments, one or more of the annular ribs 1140 may extend from a portion of the tip 1160.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 1100 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 11A-11C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 1100 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 12A-12C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 1200 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 1200 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 1200 and the swab 1100 relate to a shape of the annular ribs of the tip portion, and an arrangement of the annular ribs. The swab 1200 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 1200 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 1200 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 1200 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 1202 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 1204 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L, of the swab 1200. In some embodiments, the swab 1200, or at least a portion of the swab 1200, may be flexible such that the swab 1200 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 1200 may include a shaft 1210 and a tip portion 1230 that is integrally formed with the shaft 1210. During use, the shaft 1210 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 1230 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 1230 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 1210 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 1200. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 1210 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 1230 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 1210 may extend from the proximal end 1202 toward the distal end 1204 of the swab 1200, and the tip portion 1230 may extend from the distal end 1204 toward the proximal end 1202 of the swab 1200. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1210 and the tip portion 1230 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 1210 and/or the tip portion 1230 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 1210 and the tip portion 1230 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 1210, or at least a portion of the shaft 1210, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 1230, or at least a portion of the tip portion 1230, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 1210 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 1210 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1210 may include a proximal portion 1212 having a first diameter, a distal portion 1214 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 1216 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 1218 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 1212, the distal portion 1214, the intermediate portion 1216, and the separation portion 1218 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 1210. As described above, the separation portion 1218 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 1212 from the intermediate portion 1216. In some embodiments, the shaft 1210 also may include a flange 1220 extending outward from the proximal portion 1212.

As shown, the tip portion 1230 may include a body 1232 and a series of annular ribs 1240. The body 1232 may extend outward from the shaft 1210 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 1240 may extend outward from the body 1232 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the body 1232 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 1232 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the diameter of the body 1232 may be constant along the length of the body 1232. In this manner, the body 1232 may have a cylindrical shape and an outer profile (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 12B) having a linear shape. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 1232 may vary along the length of the body 1232, with an outer profile of the body 1232 having a curved shape or a linear, tapered shape. In some embodiments, a maximum diameter of the body 1232 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 1212 of the shaft 1210.

The annular ribs 1240 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon and/or therebetween. As shown, each of the annular ribs 1240 may extend around the entire circumference of the body 1232 and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 1240 may have a proximal end 1242 and a distal end 1244 positioned opposite one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, as shown, the proximal end 1242 may be defined by a proximal surface of the annular rib 1240 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L, and the distal end 1244 may be defined by a distal surface of the annular rib 1240 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the annular ribs 1240 may include an outer surface 1246 (which also may be referred to as an “outer circumferential surface”) that extends from the proximal end 1242 to the distal end 1244 and defines a radially-outer extent of the annular rib 1240. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the outer surface 1246 (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 12B) may have a linear shape extending parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, although a curved shape or a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, all of the annular ribs 1240 may have the same shape and different sizes. In other embodiments, some of the annular ribs 1240 may have the same shape and the same size, while other annular ribs 1240 may have a different shape and/or a different size.

Each of the annular ribs 1240 may have a height defined as a distance between the outer surface 1246 of the annular rib 1240 and the respective portion of the body 1232 from which the annular rib 1240 radially extends. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 1240 may have a height that varies along the length of the annular rib 1240. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 1240 may have a height that is constant along the length of the annular rib 1240. The outer surfaces 1246 of the annular ribs 1240 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the outer surfaces 1246 may vary along the length of the body 1232. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the outer surfaces 1246 may be constant along the length of the body 1232. In some embodiments, a minimum diameter defined by the outer surfaces 1246 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 1212 of the shaft 1210.

In some embodiments, the series of annular ribs 1240 may include four (4) or more annular ribs 1240 positioned in series along the longitudinal axis A_L. Although nineteen (19) annular ribs 1240 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more annular ribs 1240 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the annular ribs 1240 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In this manner, an annular groove 1250 may be defined between each consecutive pair of the annular ribs 1240. In some embodiments, the annular ribs 1240 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, respective consecutive pairs of the annular ribs 1240 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_L. Various configurations of the series of annular ribs 1240 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 1230 also may include a tip 1260. As shown, the tip 1260 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 1230 and may define the distal end 1204 of the swab 1200. The tip 1260 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 1230 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 1200. The shape of the tip 1260 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 1260 may have a partial-spherical shape, although other shapes for the tip 1260 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, one or more of the annular ribs 1240 may extend from a portion of the tip 1260. In some embodiments, the tip 1260 may be devoid of any annular ribs 1240.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 1200 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 12A-12C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 1200 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 13A-13C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 1300 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 1300 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 1300 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200 relate to the tip portion including a plurality of rings instead of protrusions, recesses, or annular ribs. The swab 1300 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 1300 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 1300 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 1300 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 1302 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 1304 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 1300. In some embodiments, the swab 1300, or at least a portion of the swab 1300, may be flexible such that the swab 1300 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 1300 may include a shaft 1310 and a tip portion 1330 that is integrally formed with the shaft 1310. During use, the shaft 1310 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 1330 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 1330 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 1310 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 1300. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 1310 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 1330 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 1310 may extend from the proximal end 1302 toward the distal end 1304 of the swab 1300, and the tip portion 1330 may extend from the distal end 1304 toward the proximal end 1302 of the swab 1300. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1310 and the tip portion 1330 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 1310 and/or the tip portion 1330 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 1310 and the tip portion 1330 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 1310, or at least a portion of the shaft 1310, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 1330, or at least a portion of the tip portion 1330, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 1310 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 1310 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1310 may include a proximal portion 1312 having a first diameter, a distal portion 1314 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 1316 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 1318 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 1312, the distal portion 1314, the intermediate portion 1316, and the separation portion 1318 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 1310. As described above, the separation portion 1318 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 1312 from the intermediate portion 1316. In some embodiments, the shaft 1310 also may include a flange 1320 extending outward from the proximal portion 1312.

As shown, the tip portion 1330 may include a lattice body 1332 (which also may be referred to as simply a “body”) and a plurality of openings 1342, 1344 (which also may be referred to as “through-holes”) defined in the body 1332. The lattice body 1332 may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the lattice body 1332 may extend around the longitudinal axis A_L and may define an open interior space within the body 1332. The lattice body 1332 may include a plurality of rings 1340 that are arranged to form a lattice structure of the body 1332. Each of the rings 1340 may define one of the openings 1342 therethrough, while the openings 1344 may be defined by a plurality of adjacent rings 1340. As shown, each of the openings 1342, 1344 may extend inward toward the longitudinal axis A_L, from an outer surface to an inner surface of the lattice body 1332. In this manner, each of the openings 1342, 1344 may be in communication with the interior space of the lattice body 1332. As shown, the body 1332 may have an elongated shape with a generally circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 1332 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the body 1332 may include two or more portions having different diameters. As shown, the body 1332 may include a proximal portion 1334, a distal portion 1336, and an intermediate portion 1338. In some embodiments, the diameter of the proximal portion 1334 may vary along the length of the proximal portion 1334, the diameter of the distal portion 1336 may vary along the length of the distal portion 1336, and the diameter of the intermediate portion 1338 may be constant along the length of the intermediate portion 1338. As shown, the diameter of the proximal portion 1334 may increase from a minimum diameter at the proximal end of the proximal portion 1334 to a maximum diameter at the distal end of the proximal portion 1334, and the diameter of the distal portion 1336 may decrease from a maximum diameter at the proximal end of the distal portion 1336 to a minimum diameter at the distal end of the distal portion 1336, although other arrangements of a varying diameter of the proximal portion 1334 and the distal portion 1336 may be used. In some embodiments, outer profiles of the proximal portion 1334 and the distal portion 1336 (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L, for example, as in FIG. 13B) may have a generally curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profiles may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, a maximum diameter of the lattice body 1332 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 1312.

The rings 1340 and the openings 1342, 1344 of the lattice body 1332 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample on and/or in the body 1332. In some embodiments, the lattice body 1332 may include two or more rings 1340 having different sizes. For example, as shown, the proximal portion 1334 may include a plurality of rings 1340 having a first size, the distal portion 1336 may include a plurality of rings 1340 having the first size, and the intermediate portion 1338 may include a plurality of rings 1340 having a second size that is larger than the first size. Other variations in size of the rings 1340 may be used in other embodiments. Likewise, the respective sizes of the openings 1342 and the openings 1344 may vary in some embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown each of the rings 1340 may have a circular shape and a circular cross-sectional shape (as viewed from a plane that includes and extends radially from the longitudinal axis A_L), although other shapes and cross-sectional shapes, such as square, rectangular, diamond, hexagonal, octagonal, or rhomboid shapes and/or cross-sectional shapes, may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of the openings 1342 may have a circular shape, although other shapes resulting from the corresponding shape of the rings 1340 may be used in other embodiments. Various shapes of the openings 1344 also may be used, as may result from the arrangement of adjacent rings 1340 and the shapes of the rings 1340.

As shown, the plurality of rings 1340 may include a series of circumferential bands 1350 of the rings 1340 positioned along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the intermediate portion 1338 may include four (4) or more circumferential bands 1350 positioned in series. Although six (6) circumferential bands 1350 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferential bands 1350 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential bands 1350 may include four (4) or more rings 1340 positioned in an array. According to the illustrated embodiment, each of the circumferential bands 1350 of the intermediate portion 1338 may include seven (7) rings 1340, although fewer or more rings 1340 for each of the circumferential bands 1350 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, some of the circumferential bands 1350 each may include a first number of the rings 1340, while other circumferential bands 1350 each may include a different, second number of the rings 1340. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential bands 1350, adjacent pairs of the rings 1340 may overlap or intersect one another in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential bands 1350, adjacent pairs of the rings 1340 may abut one another in the circumferential direction. As shown, the arrangement of the circumferential bands 1350 of the rings 1340 may result in circumferential arrays of the openings 1342 and circumferential arrays of the openings 1344.

As shown, the series of circumferential bands 1350 may include a first circumferential band 1350a, a second circumferential band 1350b, a third circumferential band 1350c, and a fourth circumferential band 1350d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the respective rings 1340 and openings 1342 of each consecutive pair of circumferential bands 1350 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respective rings 1340 and openings 1342 of all of the circumferential bands 1350 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the rings 1340 of the first circumferential band 1350a may be aligned in the circumferential direction with the rings 1340 of the second circumferential band 1350b, the rings 1340 of the third circumferential band 1350c, and the rings 1340 of the fourth circumferential band 1350d. Likewise, the openings 1342 of the first circumferential band 1350a may be aligned in the circumferential direction with the openings 1342 of the second circumferential band 1350b, the openings 1342 of the third circumferential band 1350c, and the openings 1342 of the fourth circumferential band 1350d.

In some embodiments, as shown, consecutive pairs of the circumferential bands 1350 may overlap or intersect one another in the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, consecutive pairs of the circumferential bands 1350 may abut one another in the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, consecutive pairs of the circumferential bands 1350 may be spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction but connected to one another by one or more connecting members extending therebetween. Various configurations of the series of circumferential bands 1350 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 1330 also may include a tip 1360. As shown, the tip 1360 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 1330 and may define the distal end 1304 of the swab 1300. The tip 1360 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 1330 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 1300. The shape of the tip 1360 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 1360 may be formed as a ring-shaped member, similar to the rings 1340. Other shapes and configurations for the tip 1360 may be used in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 1300 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 13A-13C. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 1300 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 14A and 14B depict additional examples of a shaft 1410 as may be used with any of the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300 described above instead of the shafts 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310. As shown, the shaft 1410 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 1410 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1410 may include a proximal portion 1412 having a first diameter, a distal portion 1414 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 1416 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 1418 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 1412, the distal portion 1414, the intermediate portion 1416, and the separation portion 1418 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 1410. As described above, the separation portion 1418 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 1412 from the intermediate portion 1416. In some embodiments, the shaft 1410 also may include a flange extending outward from the proximal portion 1412. In some embodiments, the respective features of the shaft 1410 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIG. 14A or FIG. 14B. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the shaft 1410 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 15A-15D depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 1500 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a “swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 1500 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between the swab 1500 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 relate to a shape of the body of the tip portion, a shape of the protrusions of the tip portion, and inclusion of a central channel, lateral ports, and an end port defined in the body. The swab 1500 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 1500 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 1500 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 1500 may have an elongated, linear shape with a proximal end 1502 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and a distal end 1504 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_L, of the swab 1500. In some embodiments, the swab 1500, or at least a portion of the swab 1500, may be flexible such that the swab 1500 may be elastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to its original, linear shape.

The swab 1500 may include a shaft 1510 and a tip portion 1530 that is integrally formed with the shaft 1510. During use, the shaft 1510 may be grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 1530 to a target location. As described below, the tip portion 1530 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the shaft 1510 may define the longitudinal axis A_L of the swab 1500. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 1510 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. Similarly, a longitudinal axis of the tip portion 1530 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. As shown, the shaft 1510 may extend from the proximal end 1502 toward the distal end 1504 of the swab 1500, and the tip portion 1530 may extend from the distal end 1504 toward the proximal end 1502 of the swab 1500. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1510 and the tip portion 1530 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_L, although asymmetric configurations of the shaft 1510 and/or the tip portion 1530 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 1510 and the tip portion 1530 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 1510, or at least a portion of the shaft 1510, may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 1530, or at least a portion of the tip portion 1530, may be formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 1510 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 1510 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1510 may include a proximal portion 1512 having a first diameter, a distal portion 1514 having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, an intermediate portion 1516 having the first diameter, and a separation portion 1518 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 1512, the distal portion 1514, the intermediate portion 1516, and the separation portion 1518 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respective portion of the shaft 1510. As described above, the separation portion 1518 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion 1512 from the intermediate portion 1516. In some embodiments, the shaft 1510 also may include a flange 1520 extending outward from the proximal portion 1512.

As shown, the tip portion 1530 may include a body 1532 and a plurality of protrusions 1540. The body 1532 may extend outward from the shaft 1510 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the protrusions 1540 may extend outward from the body 1532 and transverse to the longitudinal axis A_L. The body 1532 may provide a support structure for the protrusions 1540. As shown, the body 1532 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 1532 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the body 1532 may have a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-sectional shape having a constant diameter along the length of the body 1532. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 1532 may vary along the length of the body 1532. In some embodiments, as shown, the diameter of the body 1532 may be equal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 1512 of the shaft 1510. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 1532 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 1512.

As shown in FIG. 15D, the body 1532 may define a central channel 1534, a plurality of lateral ports 1536, and an end port 1538. The central channel 1534 may extend axially through at least a portion of the body 1532, from the distal end 1504 toward the proximal end 1502 of the swab 1500. In some embodiments, as shown, the central channel 1534 may extend through greater than half of the axial length of the body 1532. In some embodiments, the central channel 1534 may extend through the entire axial length of the body 1532. As shown, each of the lateral ports 1536 may extend from the outer circumferential surface of the body 1532 to the central channel 1534, such that the lateral ports 1536 are in fluid communication with the central channel 1534. Each of the lateral ports 1536 may extend transverse to the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the lateral ports 1536 may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L. Although four (4) lateral ports 1536 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more lateral ports 1536 may be used in other embodiments. The lateral ports 1536 may be arranged in two or more sets of the lateral ports 1536 at different locations along the axial length of the body 1532. Although two (2) sets of the lateral ports 1536, with two (2) lateral ports 1536 per set, are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more sets of the lateral ports 1536 and/or more of the lateral ports 1536 per set may be used in other embodiments. As shown, the end port 1538 may extend from the distal end 1504 to the central channel 1534, such that the end port 1538 is in fluid communication with the central channel 1534. In some embodiments, as shown, the end port 1538 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, more than one (1) end port 1538 may be provided. The central channel 1534, the lateral ports 1536, and the end port 1538 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample on and/or in the body 1532. For example, a biological sample may be collected within the central channel 1534, the lateral ports 1536, and/or the end port 1538.

The protrusions 1540 may be configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. As shown, the protrusions 1540 may extend outward from the body 1532. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 1540 may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L. In other words, each of the protrusions 1540 may extend in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis A_L. Each of the protrusions 1540 may have a base end 1542 and a free end 1544, with a distance between the base end 1542 and the free end 1544 defining a height of the protrusion 1540 relative to the body 1532. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 1540 may have the same height. In other embodiments, the protrusions 1540 may have varying heights relative to the body 1532. The free ends 1544 of the protrusions 1540 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, as shown, the third diameter defined by the free ends 1544 may be constant along the length of the body 1532. In other embodiments, the third diameter defined by the free ends 1544 may vary along the length of the body 1532.

In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 1540 may include a protrusion base 1546 and a protrusion tip 1548. The protrusion base 1546 may extend from the base end 1542 to the protrusion tip 1548, and the protrusion tip 1548 may extend from the protrusion base 1546 to the free end 1544. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusion base 1546 may have a cylindrical shape, and the protrusion tip 1548 may have a partial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical same. Other shapes of the protrusion base 1546 and the protrusion tip 1548 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, all of the protrusions 1540 may, have the same shape.

As shown, the plurality of protrusions 1540 may include a series of circumferential arrays 1550 of the protrusions 1540 positioned along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the plurality of protrusions 1:540 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 1550 positioned in series. Although twenty-two (22) circumferential arrays 1550 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferential arrays 1550 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each or at least a majority of the circumferential arrays 1550 may include four (4) or more protrusions 1540 positioned in an array. Although eight (8) protrusions 15540 are provided for a majority of the circumferential arrays 1550 in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more protrusions 1540 for each or a majority of the circumferential arrays 1550 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each or at least a majority of the circumferential arrays 1550, the respective free ends 1544 of the protrusions 1540 of the circumferential array 1550 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, for each or at least some of the circumferential arrays 1550, the respective free ends 1544 of the protrusions 1540 of the circumferential array 1550 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, as shown, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 1550, the respective base ends 1542 of consecutive pairs of the protrusions 1540 of the circumferential array 1550 may be equally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 1550, the respective base ends 1542 of the protrusions 1540 of the circumferential array 1550 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 1550, the respective base ends 1542 of the protrusions 1540 of the circumferential array 1550 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, as shown, one or more of the lateral ports 1536 may be aligned with one or more of the circumferential arrays 1550 along the axial length of the body 1532, such that those circumferential arrays 1550 include fewer protrusions 1540 and/or such that the protrusions 1540 of those circumferential arrays 1550 are unequally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 1550 may include a first circumferential array 1550a, a second circumferential array 1550b, a third circumferential array 1550c, and a fourth circumferential array 1550d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 1540 of each consecutive pair of circumferential arrays 1550 may be offset from one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 1540 of the first circumferential array 1550a may be offset from the protrusions 1540 of the second circumferential array 1550b in the circumferential direction, the protrusions 1540 of the second circumferential array 1550b may be offset from the protrusions 1540 of the third circumferential array 1550c in the circumferential direction, and the protrusions 1540 of the third circumferential array 1550c may be offset from the protrusions 1540 of the fourth circumferential array 1550d in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 1540 of each pair of circumferential arrays 1550 separated from one another by only a single other circumferential array 1550 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 1540 of the first circumferential array 1550a may be aligned with the protrusions 1540 of the third circumferential array 1550c in the circumferential direction, and the protrusions 1540 of the second circumferential array 1550b may be aligned with the protrusions 1540 of the fourth circumferential array 1550d in the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, as shown, the circumferential arrays 1550 may be positioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 1550 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_L. In some embodiments, respective consecutive pairs of the circumferential arrays 1550 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_L. Various configurations of the series of circumferential arrays 1550 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 1530 also may include a tip 1560. As shown, the tip 1560 may be positioned at the distal end of the tip portion 1530 and may define the distal end 1504 of the swab 1500. The tip 1560 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide the tip portion 1530 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab 1500. The shape of the tip 1560 may be configured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 1560 may have an annular shape having a curved surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 1560. As shown, the tip 1560 may surround the end port 1538, and a diameter of the tip 1560 may be greater than the diameter of the body 1532. In some embodiments, the tip 1560 may have a tapered or otherwise contoured surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 1560. Still other shapes for the tip 1560 may be used in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 1500 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIGS. 15A-15D. Various other suitable relative dimensional relationships between respective features of the three-dimensional printed swab 1500 may be used in other embodiments.

Although the embodiments of three-dimensional printed swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300 are described above and depicted in the drawings as not including a central channel, lateral ports, or an end port, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of swabs may include such features arranged in a manner similar to the central channel 1534, the lateral ports 1536, and the end port 1538 described above and depicted in the drawings for swab 1500. Furthermore, although the embodiments of three-dimensional printed swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1500 are described above and depicted in the drawings as including a tip portion having protrusions, recesses, annular ribs, or rings, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of swabs may include a tip portion having any combination of protrusions, recesses, annular ribs, and rings, as may be desired in certain instances to facilitate collection of a biological sample with the tip portion.

Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, while various illustrative implementations and structures have been described in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that numerous other modifications to the illustrative implementations and structures described herein are also within the scope of this disclosure.

Although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional printed swab comprising: a shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the swab; anda tip portion integrally formed with the shaft, wherein the tip portion comprises: a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis; anda plurality of protrusions each extending outward from the body and transverse to the longitudinal axis.

2. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 1, wherein the body has a circular cross-sectional shape, wherein a diameter of the body is constant along at least a portion of the body, and wherein each of the protrusions extends outward from the at least a portion of the body having the constant diameter.

3. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 1, wherein the body has a circular cross-sectional shape, wherein a diameter of the body varies along at least a portion of the body, and wherein each of the protrusions extends outward from the at least a portion of the body having the varying diameter.

4. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions comprises a series of circumferential arrays of protrusions positioned along the longitudinal axis.

5. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 4, wherein each of the circumferential arrays of protrusions comprises four or more protrusions having respective free ends equally spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis.

6. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 4, wherein the series of circumferential arrays of protrusions comprises a first circumferential array of protrusions and a second circumferential array of protrusions positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the protrusions of the first circumferential array of protrusions are offset from the protrusions of the second circumferential array of protrusions in the circumferential direction.

7. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 6, wherein the series of circumferential arrays of protrusions further comprises a third circumferential array of protrusions positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis with respect to the second circumferential array of protrusions, and wherein the protrusions of the first circumferential array of protrusions are aligned with the protrusions of the third circumferential array of protrusions in the circumferential direction.

8. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 4, wherein the series of circumferential arrays of protrusions comprises a first circumferential array of protrusions and a second circumferential array of protrusions positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the protrusions of the first circumferential array of protrusions are aligned with the protrusions of the second circumferential array of protrusions in the circumferential direction.

9. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 4, wherein the series of circumferential arrays of protrusions comprises a first circumferential array of protrusions and a second circumferential array of protrusions positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the protrusions of the first circumferential array of protrusions has a first height relative to the body in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the protrusions of the second circumferential array of protrusions has a second height relative to the body in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first height is different from the second height.

10. A three-dimensional printed swab comprising: a shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the swab; anda tip portion integrally formed with the shaft, wherein the tip portion comprises: a body positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis; anda plurality of openings each defined in the body and extending inward toward the longitudinal axis.

11. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 10, wherein the plurality of openings comprises a series of circumferential arrays of openings positioned along the longitudinal axis, and wherein each of the circumferential arrays of openings comprises four or more openings equally spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis.

12. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 10, wherein the plurality of openings comprises a plurality of recesses each defined in the body, wherein the plurality of recesses comprises a first circumferential array of recesses and a second circumferential array of recesses positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the recesses of the first circumferential array of recesses are aligned with the recesses of the second circumferential array of recesses in the circumferential direction.

13. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a plurality of rings defining the plurality of openings and arranged to form a lattice, wherein the plurality of rings comprises a series of circumferential bands of rings positioned along the longitudinal axis, and wherein each of the circumferential bands of rings comprises four or more rings attached to one another in series in a circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis.

14. A three-dimensional printed swab comprising: a shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the swab; anda tip portion integrally formed with the shaft, wherein the tip portion comprises: a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis; anda series of annular ribs each extending outward fro the body and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis.

15. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 14, wherein the body has a circular cross-sectional shape, wherein a diameter of the body is constant along at least a portion of the body, and wherein each of the annular ribs extends outward from the at least a portion of the body having the constant diameter.

16. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 14, wherein the body has a circular cross-sectional shape, wherein a diameter of the body varies along at least a portion of the body, and wherein each of the annular ribs extends outward from the at least a portion of the body having the varying diameter.

17. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 14, wherein the annular ribs are equally, spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis.

18. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 14, wherein consecutive pairs of the annular ribs are positioned adjacent one another.

19. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 14, wherein the series of annular ribs comprises a first annular rib and a second annular rib positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first annular rib has a first diameter, and wherein the second annular rib has a second diameter that is different from the first diameter.

20. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 14, wherein the series of annular ribs comprises a first annular rib and a second annular rib positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first annular rib and the second annular rib have the same diameter.