Description
Vacutainer® Plasma Tube
The Vacutainer® Plasma Tube is an evacuated blood collection tube designed to obtain plasma specimens for routine clinical chemistry, immunochemistry, and other laboratory analyses that require anticoagulated whole blood and rapid plasma separation. By combining a precisely controlled vacuum with a validated internal additive system, the tube supports consistent fill volume, reliable mixing, and efficient specimen processing in high-throughput and point-of-collection workflows.
Vacutainer® Plasma Tubes are commonly offered with an anticoagulant such as spray-dried lithium heparin to prevent clot formation and preserve analyte availability in the plasma fraction. Many configurations also include a polymer gel separator that, after centrifugation, forms a stable barrier between plasma and cellular components to help reduce cellular metabolism effects and support specimen integrity during handling and transport.
Key features
- Evacuated tube technology to help achieve target draw volume and improve collection consistency.
- Anticoagulant additive (commonly heparin-based, configuration dependent) to enable plasma testing without clotting delays.
- Optional gel separator to create a physical barrier after centrifugation and help maintain plasma quality.
- Standardized dimensions designed for compatibility with common tube holders, centrifuge buckets (with appropriate adapters), and many automated analyzers.
- Single-use, sterile tube intended for professional clinical collection and laboratory environments.
Intended use
Vacutainer® Plasma Tubes are intended for venous blood collection when plasma is the preferred specimen type, including applications where rapid turnaround is important. Using an anticoagulated tube can reduce wait time compared with serum collection by eliminating the clotting step, which may help accelerate processing for time-sensitive testing when validated by the laboratory’s procedures.
Typical workflow
- Perform venipuncture using an appropriate safety needle and tube holder.
- Allow the tube to fill completely to the intended vacuum draw volume.
- Gently invert the tube the recommended number of times per institutional policy to mix blood with the additive; do not shake.
- Centrifuge according to the laboratory’s validated settings and the tube’s instructions for use.
- Following centrifugation, plasma may be separated (or retained above the gel barrier, if present) for analysis or aliquoting.
Quality and specimen considerations
For optimal results, follow the recommended order of draw, avoid prolonged tourniquet time, and minimize hemolysis through proper technique. Tube additive type can influence certain assays; laboratories should verify tube selection, centrifugation parameters, and stability claims in accordance with method requirements, analyzer manufacturer guidance, and local regulatory standards.
Configuration overview
| Option | Specimen type | Key component | Common use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heparin plasma | Plasma | Anticoagulant (e.g., lithium heparin) | Routine chemistry requiring plasma |
| Plasma separator tube | Plasma | Anticoagulant + gel separator | Plasma testing with barrier separation after centrifugation |
Vacutainer® Plasma Tubes support standardized, efficient plasma specimen collection and separation while fitting seamlessly into established phlebotomy and laboratory processing systems. Always consult the tube’s labeling and instructions for use for specific additive, fill volume, mixing, centrifugation, storage, and disposal requirements.
