New 3D-printed swabs for Covid-19 testing are now being manufactured in Scotland.

The swab can collect sufficient viral material from the back of the nose – without the need for a throat swab – providing a less intrusive test compared with traditional cotton bud usage.

Additionally, the 3D-printed swabs also cut down testing time, reducing anxiety and minimising discomfort for patients. Once used, the swabs can be processed at labs including Lighthouse in Glasgow.

The Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC), based at Heriot-Watt University, and the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) at Scottish Enterprise have worked with Scottish company Abergower 3D, to help manufacture the new design.

Commenting on the swabs, Professor Marc Desmulliez, manager at the MDMC, said: “It was important to establish robust manufacturing capabilities here in Scotland for this critical type of swab and the MDMC has worked closely with Abergower to achieve large volume manufacturing of up to 25,000 swabs a day over an accelerated time frame.

“It’s easy to forget how critical the situation was last year and the challenges the country faced in getting the right type and quantity of medical devices for testing and personal protection equipment (PPE). The MDMC was funded to help companies like Abergower to accelerate medical devices to market.”

Desmulliez continued: “The success of this type of collaboration will benefit patients across the UK as testing continues but also ensures that both Scotland and the UK are more resilient, reducing our reliance on expensive inbound PPE and medical device imports.

“We are now seeing the creation of a supply chain within Scotland that can provide all the necessary items to deliver Covid-19 testing. This is a great example of a collaboration between industry, academia and the regional development agency, Scottish Enterprise”.

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Abergower received the exclusive licence to manufacture the swabs in Europe from a US Company, EnvisionTec. Over the last 10 months, the firm has worked with several organisations including the MDMC, Scottish Enterprise, and the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Services to design and develop the swabs to UK and European specification and standards.

Robin Prior, Managing Director of Abergower, said: “The advantages of using 3D printing technology to rapidly design, develop and launch a highly effective product to meet the challenge of the worldwide pandemic has been demonstrated through this collaboration.

“As the UK’s first approved manufacturer of this product, we see strong future potential in this emerging technology. It is rewarding to bring hi-tech manufacturing capability to Scotland and to build a sustainable and valued contribution to the Scottish economy going forward.

“We have worked closely with our partners to achieve the successful manufacture of a 3D produced medical device that is ground-breaking in its design and testing capability. We have adapted the design conceived in the US and developed this product specifically for the UK and European market.”