DRYSWAB™ Range

Medical Wire have been making the Dry Swabs for 70 years. These are the fundamental tools used to collect specimens or samples for analysis, or simply to transfer materials during a diagnostic procedure.

Traditionally, the bud on the swab has consisted of a spun fibre such as cotton, rayon, polyester or calcium alginate wound round the end of the shaft which would be wood, plastic or wire. In recent years, novel bud materials have been introduced, such as soft cellular polyurethane foam, or flocked fibres which can give improved uptake and release of specimens. Medical Wire have extensive ranges of swabs utilising either spun fibres, cellular foam, or multifilament flock fibres, with something suitable for many applications.

MWE’s DRYSWAB™ range of products are now manufactured in the only fully automated state-of-the-art facility without any human handling.

This means it reduces the possibility of any microbial or nucleic acid contamination.

All our DRYSWAB™ are CE marked and CLSI-M40-A2 compliant. They are also FDA approved. MWE DRYSWAB™ are known worldwide for their excellent quality and ability to absorb and release microorganisms effectively for diagnostics.

Recommended applications

Clinical microbiology, Veterinary, Genetics, Environmental Sampling, Forensic

Swab types - Peel Pouch and Labelled Tubes

DRYSWAB™ in Peel Pouches: 

Individual or multiple swabs are packed sterile and ready to use within an easy open tamper evident peel pouch. These are especially suitable where the specimen is to be tested immediately or transferred to another transport container, perhaps as part of a test kit. Each peel pouch has product and batch details printed for reference and traceability.

DRYSWAB™ in Labelled Tubes: 

Each swab comes self–contained and ready to use with its own tube for easy transport to the laboratory.
The swab is mounted in the tube plug which serves as a convenient holder so there is no need for direct handling of the swab. Each tube and cap assembly is sealed with a tamper evident label for assurance of sterility and which includes the batch details for traceability. The caps are colour coded according to the type of swab.

Bud types

Rayon:

Rayon, also known as Viscose, is a processed form of cellulose and has been found to be particularly suitable for the recovery of microorganisms. The texture is similar to that of cotton, but it has none of the fatty acids or other substances that can be inhibitory to fastidious bacteria. It has also been shown to be compatible with many molecular based diagnostic tests. Rayon buds are used on most of our transport swabs.

Polyester: 

Polyester (often referred to as Dacron) is a completely synthetic material. It is frequently specified for use in particular molecular tests, as the non-biological nature ensures no interference or reactions.

Foam:

This soft sponge-like material has a regular cellular matrix. Uptake of microorganisms and other sample materials can be easily acquired from the area that’s being sampled. The structure of this swab bud allows for complete absorption & release of sample into transport media or reagents.

Flock:

With our superior quality flock swabs, the bud is formed by a layer of tiny multifilament polyester fibres of varying lengths, increasing the effective surface area of the swab. For the flock range please go to the Superior quality flock page.

Product Codes - Swab in Peel Pouch
Code Description Bud type Shaft type Flexibility Breakpoint Pack size
MW015 DRYSWAB™ Standard Tip Rayon Plastic No 79mm 1250
MW112 DRYSWAB™ Standard Tip Rayon Plastic No No 1250
MW113 DRYSWAB™ Fine Tip Rayon Plastic Yes No 1250
MW151 DRYSWAB™ ENT Rayon Straight Wire No No 1250
MW153 DRYSWAB™ ENT Rayon Twisted Wire Yes No 1250
MW155 DRYSWAB™ Pernasal Rayon Ultrafine Twisted Wire Yes No 1250
MW112D DRYSWAB™ Plastic Shaft This product is: Build to Order with a 6–8 week lead time and minimum order value. Polyester Plastic No No 1250
MW151D DRYSWAB™ ENT Straight Wire Polyester Straight Wire No No 1250
MW940 FOAM SWAB® Standard Tip Foam Plastic No No 1250
MW940/79 FOAM SWAB® Standard Tip Foam Plastic No 79mm 1250
MW940R FOAM SWAB® Red Shaft Foam Plastic No No 1250
MW943 FOAM SWAB® Mini Tip Foam Plastic Yes 85cm 1250
MW944 FOAM SWAB® Duo Foam Plastic No No 1250
MW945 FOAM SWAB® Standard + Mini Tip Foam Plastic No/Yes No/85mm 1250
MW108 DRYSWAB™ Standard Tip Cotton Wood No No 1250
MW108/2 DRYSWAB™ 2 per pouch Cotton Wood No No 600
MW108/5 DRYSWAB™ 5 per pouch Cotton Wood No No 500
MW108/10 DRYSWAB™ 10 per pouch Cotton Wood No No 300
MW108/20 DRYSWAB™ 20 per pouch This product is: Build to Order with a 6–8 week lead time and minimum order value. Cotton Wood No No 100
Product Codes - Swabs with labelled tubes

* Products with an asterisk do not have different colour caps, no plug or tamper evident seal. They are however
in a peel pouch.

Code Description Bud type Shaft type Flexibility Breakpoint Pack size
325001* DRYSWAB™ Standard Foam with labelled tube Foam Plastic No 79mm 100
325002* DRYSWAB™ Standard Flocked with labelled tube Flock Plastic No 79mm 100
325003* DRYSWAB™ Standard Rayon with labelled tube. This product is: Build to Order with a 6-8 week lead time and minimum order value. Rayon Plastic No 79mm 100
325004* DRYSWAB™ Standard Dacron with labelled tube Dacron Plastic No 79mm 100
325005* DRYSWAB™ Mini Tip Foam with labelled tube Foam Plastic Yes 78mm 100
325006* DRYSWAB™ Mini Tip Flocked with labelled tube Flock Plastic Yes 78mm 100
MW100 DRYSWAB™ Fine Tip with labelled tube Rayon Plastic Yes No 100
MW1028 DRYSWAB™ Standard Tip Rayon Plastic No No 800
MW142 DRYSWAB™ ENT Rayon Straight Wire No No 400
MW160 DRYSWAB™ Perenasal Rayon Ultrafine Twisted Wire Yes No 400
MW1028D DRYSWAB™ Standard Tip Polyester Plastic No No 800
MW941 FOAM SWAB® Standard Tip Foam Plastic No No 400
MW946 FOAM SWAB® Mini Tip Foam Plastic Yes 78cm 400
MW130 HOSPISWAB™ Albumin Coated Tip *Manufacture Discontinued* Stock still available expiry Sept. 2028 Albumin Coated Wood No No 800
MW1048 DRYSWAB™ Wood Stick Cotton Wood No No 800
MW1048J DRYSWAB™ Wood Stick Jumbo Bud Cotton Wood No No 800
Product Codes - Applicator Swabs
Code Description Bud type Shaft type Flexibility Breakpoint Pack size
MW116 DRYSWAB™ Wood Stick Non–sterile Cotton Wood No No 5000
MW116S DRYSWAB™ Wood Stick Sterile Cotton Wood No No 5000
MW118 DRYSWAB™ Plastic Stick Non–sterile Rayon Plastic No No 5000
MW118S DRYSWAB™ Plastic Stick Sterile Rayon Plastic No No 5000
Product Codes - Special Application
Code Description Bud type Shaft type Flexibility Breakpoint Pack size
MW146 CYTOTAK™ Sampling Brush Bulk Non-sterile Brush Plastic No No 100
MW147 CYTOTAK™ Sampling Brush Peel Pouch Brush Plastic No No 125
MW148 CYTOTAK™ Sampling Brush Labelled Tube This product is: Build to Order with a 6–8 week lead time and minimum order value. Brush Plastic No No 100
MW123 Equine Flu Swab 40cm Pouch This product is: Build to Order with a 6-8 week lead time and minimum order value. Rayon Plastic Yes No 100
MW123/32 Equine Flu Swab 32cm Pouch Rayon Plastic Yes No 100
MW124 Nasopharyngeal Swab with Bud 27cm Rayon Plastic Yes No 100
MW126 Nasopharyngeal Swab with Bud 27cm Brush Twisted Wire Yes No 100
MW128 Laryngeal Swab Rayon Straight Wire Yes No 100
MW100 DRYSWAB™ Fine Tip Rayon Plastic Yes No 400
MW113 DRYSWAB™ Fine Tip Rayon Plastic Yes No 1250
MW142 DRYSWAB™ ENT Rayon Straight Wire No No 400
Product Codes - Bulk Packed
Code Description Bud type Shaft type Flexibility Breakpoint Pack size
MW128 Laryngeal Swab Rayon Straight Wire Yes No 100
MW100 DRYSWAB™ Fine Tip Rayon Plastic Yes No 400
MW121 DRYSWAB™ Fine Plastic Shaft This product is Build To Order with a 6-8 week lead time and minimum order value. Rayon Plastic No No 1000
MW131 DRYSWAB™ ENT Rayon Straight Wire No No 1000
MWSTICKS Wooden Applicator Sticks Non-sterile This product is: Build to Order with a 6-8 week lead time and minimum order value. No bud Wood No No 5000
MSDS
Document Name
MSDS MW108/20 (Dryswab™ Woodstick Standard Tip Cotton)
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MSDS MW100 (Dryswab™ Fine Tip Rayon)
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MSDS MW108 (Dryswab™ Woodstick Standard Tip Cotton)
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MSDS MW108/2 (Dryswab™ Woodstick Standard Tip Cotton/2 pack)
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MSDS MW108/10 (Dryswab™ Woodstick Standard Tip Cotton/10 pack)
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MSDS MW130 (Dryswab™ Woodstick Standard Tip Cotton/ Albumin)
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MSDS MW128 (Dryswab™ Laryngeal)
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MSDS MW126 (Dryswab™ Veterinary with Brush)
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MSDS MW124 (Dryswab™ Veterinary with Rayon)
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MSDS MW121 (Dryswab™ Fine Tip Rayon)
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MSDS MW118S (Dryswab™ Standard Tip Rayon/Sterile)
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MSDS MW118 (Dryswab™ Standard Tip Rayon)
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MSDS MW116S (Dryswab™ Woodstick Standard Tip Cotton/Sterile)
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MSDS MW116 (Dryswab™ Woodstick Standard Tip Cotton)
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MSDS MW113 (Dryswab™ Fine Tip Rayon)
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MSDS MW131 (Dryswab™ ENT Rayon)
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MSDS MW142 (Dryswab™ ENT Rayon)
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MSDS MW146 (Cytotak™Cytology Sampling Brush)
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MSDS MW147 (Cytotak™Cytology Sampling Brush/Sterile)
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MSDS MW148 (Cytotak™Cytology Sampling Brush/Labelled)
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MSDS MW151 (Dryswab™ ENT Rayon)
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MSDS MW151D (Dryswab™ ENT Polyester)
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MSDS MW155 (Dryswab™ Pernasal Rayon)
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MSDS MW160 (Dryswab™ Pernasal Rayon)
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MSDS MW940 (Sigma Swab® Standard Tip)
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MSDS MW940R (Sigma Swab® Standard Tip)
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MSDS MW941 (Sigma Swab® Standard Tip)
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MSDS MW943 (Sigma Swab® Mini Tip)
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MSDS MW944 (Sigma Swab® Standard Tip Duo)
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MSDS MW945 (Sigma Swab® Standard & Mini Tip)
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MSDS MW946 (Sigma Swab® Mini Tip)
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MSDS MW910HF2ML
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MSDS MW910HF2ML
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MSDS MW910HF2ML
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MSDS MW940/79
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MSDS MW015
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MSDS MW104J
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MSDS MW108/5
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MSDS 325001
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MSDS 325002
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MSDS 325003
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MSDS 325004
Accreditation Documentation
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Quality Management Certificate ISO 13485
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Quality Management Certificate ISO 13485
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Quality Management Certificate ISO 13485
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EC Certificate Directive 93/42/EEC
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EC Certificate Directive 93/42/EEC
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EC Certificate Directive 93/42/EEC
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Latex Free Products
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Latex Free Products
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Latex Free Products
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LRQA Certificate of Approval ISO 9001
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LRQA Certificate of Approval ISO 9001
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LRQA Certificate of Approval ISO 9001
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UKCA Approval Certificate
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UKCA Approval Certificate
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UKCA Approval Certificate
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Sample Non-Website Published Document
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Sample Non-Website Published Document
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Sample Non-Website Published Document
Product Insert / IFU
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Dryswab - Industrial, Vet Product Insert English
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Dryswab - Industrial, Vet Product Insert French
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Dryswab Product Insert Italian
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Dryswab Product Insert French v.16
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Dryswab Product Insert French v.16
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Dryswab Product Insert French v.16
For articles and clinical studies on DRYSWAB™ Range

Contact us

Phone

+44 (0) 1225 810361

Address

Medical Wire & Equipment
Corsham, Wiltshire
England
SN13 9RT

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