Description

The BD Vacutainer® Sodium Heparin Tube is an essential tool for clinical laboratories, designed to facilitate the collection, transport, and processing of venous blood. Its primary function is to provide reliable anticoagulation through sodium heparin, preventing blood clotting and enabling accurate analysis of plasma or whole blood.

Key Features

• Anticoagulant Efficacy: The tube contains sodium heparin, effectively inhibiting thrombin to prevent clotting, crucial for various laboratory analyses.
• Color-Coded Cap: Available with a dark green or green cap, ensuring easy identification among other collection tubes.
• Material Options: Offered in both plastic (PET) and glass, catering to different laboratory preferences.
• Sterility: Each tube is sterile, with interiors sterilized by gamma radiation or autoclave, ensuring contamination-free blood collection.
• Single-Use Design: Intended for single use, maintaining hygiene and preventing cross-contamination.
• Evacuated System: The evacuated design allows for direct blood draw, compatible with standard BD Vacutainer® needle holders.

Usage Instructions

Proper mixing after blood collection is required to ensure even distribution of the anticoagulant. This tube is particularly suited for:

• Clinical chemistry determinations
• Immunology and serology testing
• Cytogenetics and flow cytometry
• Toxicology and blood gas analysis

Variants and Options

BD Vacutainer® Sodium Heparin Tubes come in various draw volumes, such as 2 mL, 8 mL, and 10 mL, and different tube sizes, including 13x75 mm, 13x100 mm, 16x100 mm, and 16x125 mm. Some variants include a gel separator for specific applications like mononuclear cell preparation.

Closure and Labeling

Closure types include conventional stoppers, with color-coding options. Labels are available in paper or Mylar, providing flexibility for different laboratory needs.

Additive Specifications

The sodium heparin concentration is typically between 132–158 USP units per tube. Certain variants may include additional components like polyester gel and Ficoll Hypaque solution for specialized cell separation tasks.

Storage and Handling

• Store upright at room temperature (18–25°C), away from direct light.
• Ensure proper venipuncture technique and gentle mixing post-collection.
• Follow specific centrifugation instructions for optimal results.

Limitations and Precautions

These tubes are not recommended for electrolyte testing, hematology tests, or trace element analysis. They should not be used if damaged or expired and are intended solely for single use.

Common Use Environments

Ideal for clinical laboratories, hospital emergency departments, and research labs, the BD Vacutainer® Sodium Heparin Tube supports rapid and accurate blood analysis, contributing significantly to effective patient care and research outcomes.