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Blood sample collection tubes are specialized containers for collecting, transporting, and storing blood samples for various laboratory tests and analyses. These tubes are typically made of plastic or glass and come in multiple sizes and colors, each indicating a specific additive or anticoagulant used in the tube to preserve the blood sample for different types of testing.
Vacuum blood collection tubes are also known as vacutainers and are the most commonly used blood collection tubes. They are sterile glass or plastic sealed test tubes with a colored rubber stopper, and have a vacuum inside, which draws blood into the tube when a needle pierces the rubber stopper.
EDTA Blood Collection Tubes (Purple Top) contain EDTA(ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) as an anticoagulant, which acts as an anticoagulant by binding calcium ions, preventing blood clotting. These tubes are preferred for blood bank tests. They are used for complete blood count (CBC), blood typing, and certain DNA tests.
NOTE: After the tube has been filled with blood, immediately invert the tube 8-10 times to mix and ensure adequate anticoagulation of the specimen.
SST Blood Collection Tubes (Serum Separator Tubes, Gold or Red Top): These tubes contain a clot activator and serum gel separator that forms a barrier between the serum (liquid portion of blood) and the blood cells after centrifugation. They are used for various chemistry, serology, and immunology tests, such as chemistry panels, hormone assays, and certain antibody tests.
Heparin Blood Collection Tubes (Green Top) contain heparin (can either be in the form of sodium heparin, lithium heparin, or ammonium heparin), which acts as an anticoagulant by inhibiting thrombin formation. Unlike red tubes, the type of blood produced in a green tube needed for testing is not serum but plasma. They are used for plasma-based chemistry tests, such as arterial blood gas analysis, and certain therapeutic drug monitoring.
Sodium Citrate Blood Collection Tubes (Light Blue Top) contain 3.2% sodium citrate as its anticoagulant that binds calcium ions and prevents blood clotting by inhibiting coagulation factors. They are primarily used for collecting blood for performing coagulation studies, such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).
Sodium Citrate Tubes unlike EDTA tubes, are reversible, so calcium can be added back to study coagulation under controlled conditions.
Gray Top Tubes (Glycolytic Inhibitor Tubes) contain potassium oxalate as an anticoagulant and sodium fluoride (NaF) as a preservative, which inhibits glycolysis (the breakdown of glucose) in the collected blood sample. They are used to require accurate measurement of glucose levels tests and for some special chemistry tests.
These are just some of the common Blood Sample Collection Tubes. If you need other blood collection tubes for specific tests and purposes, please send us your requirements and we will provide customization services.
