Puritan Medical Products, North America´s largest manufacturer of single-use specimen collection devices, announced today that it has been granted two new European patents for its high-performance PurFlock® Ultra and HydraFlock® swabs.

The latest patents are the fourth and fifth specimen collection device patents Puritan has been awarded worldwide. Puritan´s latest European patent for PurFlock® Ultra is No. 2263549 and the European patent for HydraFlock® is No. 2263548.

"These new patents solidify Puritan´s global reputation as the specialty swab manufacturer," said Puritan EVP of Global Sales Timothy Templet. "Puritan has once again proven its ability to invent and manufacture high-performing products for use as specimen collection devices."

Puritan´s latest patents position the United States company as a leader in flocked swab technology. Puritan´s swabs produce superior sample collection, rapid elution, and increased test sensitivity by combining a unique microstructure with innovative fibers proven to be more effective than older-style nylon products. Both the PurFlock® Ultra and HydraFlock® swabs are used in viral and bacterial transport systems and have been validated around the world with automated systems and manual laboratory testing practices.

A Canadian device and method patent (No. 2744282) was previously awarded for the HydraFlock® swab; as well as U.S. patents for the HydraFlock® swab (No. 8,334,134) and the PurFlock® Ultra (No. 8,420,385). Patents for both swab products are also pending in other countries. Additionally, device and method patents have been issued in the United States for both swabs.

Puritan manufactures more than 35 types of specimen collection devices including PurFlock® Ultra and HydraFlock® swabs, along with media filled transport systems such as Liquid Amies and UTM-RT (Universal Transport Media) transport systems. Puritan´s on-site state-of-the-art microbiology laboratory conforms to stringent U.S. quality system regulations. All research and development, as well as product testing, approval and release take place in Guilford, ME.