Blood Collection Tubes: Features, Types, and Uses

Blood collection tubes are a critical component of modern healthcare, playing a pivotal role in diagnostic testing, research, and patient management. These tubes are designed to collect, preserve, and transport blood samples safely and effectively. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the top blood collection tubes available in the market worldwide, detailing their features, applications, and the latest advancements in the field.

1. Vacutainer Tubes by Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)
BD Vacutainer tubes are among the most widely used blood collection tubes globally. BD offers a range of tubes tailored for various tests and applications:

• Serum Tubes: These tubes contain a clot activator and are used for serum determinations in chemistry, serology, and immunohematology.
• EDTA Tubes: Designed for hematology procedures, these tubes contain an anticoagulant (EDTA) that preserves the shape and size of cells.
• Citrate Tubes: Used for coagulation studies, these tubes contain sodium citrate, which binds calcium ions to prevent blood clotting.
• Heparin Tubes: Containing lithium or sodium heparin, these tubes are used for plasma determinations in chemistry.

BD Vacutainer tubes are renowned for their reliability, quality, and extensive range, making them a staple in clinical laboratories worldwide.

2. Greiner Bio-One VACUETTE® Tubes
Greiner Bio-One's VACUETTE® tubes are another leading choice for blood collection. These tubes are designed with safety and ease of use in mind:

• Serum Tubes with Clot Activator: Ideal for obtaining serum for diagnostic testing.
• K3EDTA Tubes: Used primarily for hematology and blood bank testing.
• Sodium Fluoride/Potassium Oxalate Tubes: Designed for glucose testing, these tubes prevent glycolysis.
• Citrate Tubes: Utilized for coagulation studies.

VACUETTE® tubes feature a range of sizes and draw volumes, catering to various testing requirements. Their high-quality materials and manufacturing standards ensure accurate and reliable results.

3. Terumo VENOSAFE® Blood Collection Tubes
Terumo's VENOSAFE® blood collection tubes are known for their innovative design and user-friendly features. These tubes are available in several variants:

• Plain Tubes: Used for serum testing and other applications that do not require additives.
• EDTA Tubes: Essential for hematology testing, containing EDTA as an anticoagulant.
• Heparin Tubes: Suitable for plasma determinations, with lithium or sodium heparin.
• Citrate Tubes: Designed for coagulation testing, containing sodium citrate.

VENOSAFE® tubes are designed with a focus on safety and patient comfort, featuring a unique safety cap and ergonomic design.

4. Sarstedt S-Monovette® Blood Collection System
Sarstedt's S-Monovette® system is a versatile blood collection solution that combines vacuum and aspiration techniques:

• Serum Tubes: Contain a clot activator for serum testing.
• EDTA Tubes: Used for hematological examinations.
• Lithium Heparin Tubes: Ideal for plasma-based analyses.
• Citrate Tubes: Utilized for coagulation studies.

The S-Monovette® system is designed to minimize hemolysis and ensure precise blood sample volumes, offering reliable results and ease of use.

5. Sekisui Medical SERAPREP® Blood Collection Tubes
Sekisui Medical offers SERAPREP® blood collection tubes, known for their high quality and performance:

• Clot Activator Tubes: Used for serum separation and various biochemical tests.
• EDTA Tubes: Suitable for hematology testing.
• Heparin Tubes: Used for plasma testing with lithium or sodium heparin.
• Citrate Tubes: Designed for coagulation studies.

SERAPREP® tubes are designed to ensure accurate and consistent results, making them a trusted choice in clinical laboratories.

6. Greiner Bio-One MiniCollect® Capillary Blood Collection System
The MiniCollect® system by Greiner Bio-One is specifically designed for capillary blood collection, ideal for pediatric and geriatric patients:

• Serum Separator Tubes: Contain a gel barrier for serum separation.
• EDTA Tubes: Designed for capillary blood hematology testing.
• Lithium Heparin Tubes: Used for plasma testing in capillary blood samples.
• Citrate Tubes: Suitable for capillary blood coagulation studies.

MiniCollect® tubes offer a gentle and efficient way to collect blood from patients with difficult venous access, ensuring accurate and reliable results.

7. BD Microtainer® Tubes
BD Microtainer® tubes are designed for micro blood collection, offering a reliable solution for small volume samples:

• Serum Separator Tubes: Contain a gel barrier for serum separation.
• EDTA Tubes: Used for hematology testing.
• Lithium Heparin Tubes: Suitable for plasma determinations.
• Fluoride Tubes: Designed for glucose testing, preventing glycolysis.

These tubes are ideal for pediatric and geriatric patients, as well as for situations where only small blood samples are available.

8. Vacutest® Kima Blood Collection Tubes
Vacutest® Kima tubes, manufactured by Kima Srl, are known for their reliability and precision:

• Serum Tubes with Clot Activator: Used for various serum-based diagnostic tests.
• EDTA Tubes: Designed for hematology testing.
• Heparin Tubes: Suitable for plasma determinations.
• Citrate Tubes: Utilized for coagulation studies.

Vacutest® Kima tubes are designed to meet the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, making them a trusted choice in clinical settings.

9. Nipro Medical Corporation Blood Collection Tubes
Nipro Medical offers a range of blood collection tubes designed for various diagnostic applications:

• Serum Separator Tubes: Contain a gel barrier for serum separation.
• EDTA Tubes: Used for hematology testing.
• Heparin Tubes: Suitable for plasma determinations.
• Citrate Tubes: Designed for coagulation studies.

Nipro's blood collection tubes are known for their high quality and consistency, ensuring reliable diagnostic results.

10. FL Medical Blood Collection Tubes
FL Medical, an established manufacturer of laboratory products, offers a wide range of blood collection tubes:

• Serum Tubes with Clot Activator: Used for serum-based diagnostic tests.
• EDTA Tubes: Designed for hematology testing.
• Heparin Tubes: Suitable for plasma determinations.
• Citrate Tubes: Utilized for coagulation studies.

FL Medical tubes are designed to meet the highest standards of quality and performance, ensuring accurate and reliable results in clinical laboratories.

Latest Advancements in Blood Collection Tubes
The field of blood collection tubes is continually evolving, with new advancements aimed at improving sample integrity, safety, and ease of use. Some of the latest innovations include:

• Improved Gel Barriers: Enhanced gel formulations in serum separator tubes to prevent sample contamination and ensure reliable separation.
• Safety Features: Innovative cap designs and materials to prevent accidental needlestick injuries and improve user safety.
• Micro-Collection Systems: Development of advanced capillary blood collection systems for easier and more efficient sample collection from difficult patients.
• Environmental Sustainability: Use of eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes to reduce the environmental impact of blood collection tubes.

Conclusion
Blood collection tubes are an essential component of the diagnostic process, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of blood samples for various tests. The top blood collection tubes in the market, including those from BD, Greiner Bio-One, Terumo, Sarstedt, Sekisui Medical, and others, offer a range of features and benefits that cater to the diverse needs of healthcare professionals. With ongoing advancements and innovations, the future of blood collection tubes looks promising, with improvements in safety, efficiency, and sustainability.