Abstract: A shaft for a cell collection swab has a plurality of anchors protruding from its tip which facilitate attaching swab material to the shaft.

Abstract: A swab for collecting specimens from patients has an elongate handle with an absorbent fabric swab tip at one end. The swab tip is releasably attached to the handle, and a sleeve, which slidably fits on the handle, can be pushed against the swab tip after a specimen has been collected to displace the swab tip from the handle and deposit it into a collection device.

Abstract: A specimen collection system includes a swab having an elongate handle with an absorbent fabric tip releasably attached to one end. A container has an opening, located at one end that the swab can be inserted into. A stop, which covers a portion of the opening, has a channel which receives the handle when the swab is placed in the container. The channel is sized to allow the handle to be pulled through it out of the container, but not allow the tip to pass. Thus,. the tip is displaced from the swab and drops into the container when the handle is pulled out of the container.