Swab for collecting samples of biological material and associate method of production

1 . A swab configured for collecting samples of biological material, comprising:

an elongated body, having at least a portion with substantially axial development,

a collection element configured for collecting samples of the biological material, positioned on the elongated body, wherein the collection element is configured for, and destined to, being introduced within a mouth of a subject and wherein the collection element comprises an absorbing material and is configured for collecting and retaining and/or preserving the sample of biological material, optionally a saliva of the subject,

an engagement element, positioned in correspondence of a predefined portion of the elongated body, the engagement element being configured for being held, in use, by the subject and for being removably engaged with a container for the sample of biological material,

wherein the engagement element comprises a fragrance and is configured for causing, in use, a stimulation of a production of the saliva when brought near a nose of the subject.

2 . The swab according to claim 1 , wherein said fragrance is distributed in at least part of a volume of the engagement element, in particular wherein said fragrance is uniformly distributed in said at least part of the volume of the engagement element.

3 . The swab according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement element is realized by mixing and subsequent melting at least pellets and/or granule of polymeric material and at least said fragrance,

and/or wherein said fragrance is exclusively comprised in said engagement element.

4 . The swab according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement element comprises from 0.1% to 10% in weight or in volume of the fragrance or from 0.5% to 7% in weight or in volume of the fragrance, or from 1% to 6% in weight or in volume of the fragrance, or from 2% to 5% in weight or in volume of the fragrance.

5 . The swab according to claim 1 , wherein at least the engagement element comprises a dye, distributed in at least part of a volume of the engagement element, the dye being uniformly distributed in said at least part of the volume of the engagement element and/or wherein the engagement element comprises from 0.2% to 5% in weight or in volume of dye, or from 0.5% to 4% in weight or in volume of dye, or from 1% to 3% in weight or in volume of dye.

6 . The swab according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement element is realized by injection molding, compression molding or injection compression molding, or by co-molding, of pellets and/or granule of polymeric material and of at least a fragrance.

7 . The swab according to claim 1 , wherein the collection element is configured and sized for retaining in use an amount of fluid, wherein the absorbing material is configured for retaining in use an amount of the biological material, optionally saliva, comprised between 50 μl and 10 ml, or between 100 μl and 5 ml, or between 200 μl and 2 ml or between 500 μl and 1 ml, optionally wherein the collection element is a sponge element, and/or free from preserving substances.

8 . The swab according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement element is configured for being removably engaged with the container for the sample of biological material by contrast insertion and/or by screwing on said container for the sample of biological material.

9 . A kit comprising a swab according to claim 1 , and the container for the sample of biological material, said container comprising a cavity configured for containing at least a portion of said swab.

10 . A method of production of a swab for collecting samples of biological material, comprising:

a step of production of an elongated body of the swab, said elongated body having at least a portion with axial development and being configured for supporting at least a collection element of the samples of biological material, optionally said biological material being a saliva of a subject,

a step of production of the collection element, comprising realizing the collection element on the elongated body and/or followed by an assembly of the collection element on the elongated body,

a step of production of an engagement element, configured for being held, in use, by the subject and configured for, and destined to, being removably engaged with a container for the sample of biological material, comprising realizing the engagement element on the elongated body and/or followed by an assembly of the engagement element to the elongated body,

the step of production of the engagement element comprising an addition of a fragrance, such that, in use, an approaching of the engagement element to a nose of the subject determines a stimulation of a production of the saliva.

11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the step of production of the engagement element comprises a distribution of the fragrance in at least part of a volume of the engagement element.

12 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the step of production of the engagement element comprises a mixing and a subsequent melting of at least pellets and/or granule of polymeric material and of at least said fragrance;

wherein the addition of the fragrance takes place exclusively in said engagement element.

13 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the step of production of the engagement element comprises the addition of 0.1% to 10% in weight or in volume of fragrance or of 0.5% to 7% in weight or in volume of fragrance, or of 1% to 6% in weight or in volume of fragrance, or of 2% to 5% in weight or in volume of fragrance.

14 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the step of production of the engagement element comprises the addition of a dye, and comprises the distribution of the dye in at least part of a volume of the engagement element.

15 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein at least the step of production of the engagement element comprises an injection molding or a compression molding or an injection compression molding, or by co-molding, of said pellets and/or granule of polymeric material and of at least said fragrance.

16 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the addition of the fragrance comprises the addition of pellets and/or granule and/or a fluid of fragrance, optionally of pellets and/or granule and/or a fluid containing essential oil of the fragrance,

wherein said molding, optionally the injection molding or compression molding or injection compression molding, or co-molding comprises a melting of said pellets and/or granule and of said fragrance that takes place at a temperature substantially comprised between 150° C. and 300° C., or between 160° C. and 280° C., or between 220° C. and 275° C. or between 240° C. and 260° C.