Sanderson-MacLeod, Inc.

cytology brushes

Optimizing Cytopathology Cell Collection for Patient Safety and Comfort The clinical sampling process for collecting cells involves strict guidelines and best practices. Proper collection and handling, coupled with keeping patients safe and comfortable, requires the precise use of complex tools. Using inferior equipment can impact the integrity of a specimen and result in patient injury. The American Society of Cytopathology cites several techniques for collecting cell specimens, including using twisted wire brushes. Specimens can be acquired from any surface of a patient’s body and transferred to examination slides. A cell collection brush must be manufactured in such a way as to maintain sample integrity, maximize safety, and minimize patient discomfort or bleeding, especially in internal sample collection. Sanderson MacLeod’s reusable and disposable cytology brushes optimize sample collection and maintain patient safety and comfort. The brushes are available in lengths of up to 250 centimeters. Brush part diameters are 1 to 7 millimeters and can be custom shaped and trimmed for maximum sample collection. Additional cytology brush features include: stainless steel wire diameters between .012 and .032 inch to reduce the risk of kinking fiber diameters between .0025 and .006 inch to allow for application-specific customization brush tapering and shaping to ensure maximum brush-surface contact for enhanced cell collection Our industry-leading, world-class twisted wire cytology cell collection brushes provide distinct features not found in other brushes. As a large-quantity contract manufacturer for OEMs in the medical field, we have worked diligently with our customers to reach beyond the demands of the marketplace. One advancement is the option of using polypropylene fibers in our endoscope cleaning, cytology, and interdental brushes. Polypropylene fiber is a thermoplastic polymer, which is extremely durable and resistant to many chemical solvents. It is softer and gentler than traditional nylon fiber. Polypropylene fibers are available in all standard diameters and a wide variety of colors. Our polypropylene fiber medical brushes are available for all medical applications. All medical brush products use FDA-approved materials and are individually documented to ensure regulatory compliance. Both nylon and polypropylene brushes come standard with antimicrobial fibers. The Z-Tip Prevents Patient Injury During Cytological Cell Collection Sanderson MacLeod has been an innovator in the twisted wire brush industry by constantly researching better ways to solve customer problems. When the company set out to fix flaws in medical brush tips, we revolutionized the brush industry. Patients experience discomfort or risk injury during cell collection when a brush tip falls off or has a sharp protrusion. Traditional brush tips can fall off, sharp core wires can protrude from the tip, and the tips can bend and break. We solved these problems by looking outside of the brush industry and collaborating with experts in materials joining engineering. We conducted hundreds of hours of research, trials, and testing to create a new manufacturing process that uses high-energy, fusion-welding technologies. The result is an entirely new protective brush tip that melts the brush’s preconstructed core wire into a consistent, smooth, and inseparable protective tip, known as the Z-Tip. In addition to this innovative design, we produce a brush tip with a mirror-like smooth surface, so the tip can’t fall off, the core wire won’t protrude through the tip, and the dimensions and orientation are always consistent. The Z-Tip twisted wire medical brush is created in one in-line, fully automated process, which reduces internal inspection time and costs. The most important aspect of the Z-Tip is that it will not create microscopic scars while cleaning endoscope equipment. By not creating scars that trap contaminants, the Z-Tip promotes endoscope sterility. The Z-Tip is available for all commonly used twisted wire medical brush applications. Domestically Produced: Twisted Wire Medical Brushes Made in the USA Sanderson MacLeod made the decision early on to manufacture only for OEM customers. This allows us to develop strong partnerships with customers, keep costs down, and invest in people, equipment, and technology to continually improve operations in terms of speed, quality, reliability, cost savings, and engineering design. All of our design, manufacturing, and distribution happens at our plant in Palmer, Massachusetts. The driving factor for maintaining all production and operations in the United States is that we can meet exacting standards and manufacture the highest-quality twisted wire brushes on the market. Design Breakthroughs: Sanderson MacLeod’s Efforts in Perfecting Cytology Cell Collection Brushes The twisted wire brush designers and engineers at Sanderson MacLeod continuously pursue ways to perfect the cytology cell collection brush. Their efforts have resulted in countless improvements and innovations. Through close collaboration with our customers, we leverage advanced planning, design, engineering, production, and delivery methodologies for all of our brushes. It’s through these collaborative efforts that our brush design innovation and breakthroughs happen. We work with customers to achieve desired results faster and with more accuracy, often leading to new and exciting features and products. In-House Twisted Wire Brush Scientific Research and Design Capabilities Advances in technology, automation, and computer-aided design and manufacturing have helped propel Sanderson MacLeod’s ability to deliver world-class products to our OEM customers. But being a world leader means constantly striving to do things better. That’s why we are proud to have dedicated a part of our plant to research and science. In our one-of-a-kind laboratory, customers can work directly with Sanderson MacLeod’s design engineers on current and future brush designs. Those designs can then be rapidly put into production to help meet customers’ needs.