Swab and method of manufacturing and using it

A swab comprising:

• an applicator pad;
• an elongated handle;
• said handle including a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end on said longitudinal axis and a plurality of barb means extending away from said longitudinal axis and from said first end toward said second end;
• said pad including an opening substantially conforming in size to the region of said handle adjacent to said first end;
• said plurality of barb means being chevron-shaped and formed on the first end of said handle;
• said opening being sufficient in size to receive said first end of said handle and the adjacent portion through at least 25 percent of said applicator pad, whereby said barbs, once inserted, engage said applicator pad material within said opening to resist removal of said handle;
• said applicator pad and handle being made of a material which is autoclavable without deterioration;
• said handle being flat with a length of at least one inch, a width of at least 1/8 th inch and a thickness of at least 1/64 th inch;
• said first end of said handle having a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle including four corners and said plurality of barb means being in rows located at each of said corners.