(serum clot tube)
Modern serum clot tube
s utilize silica particles and thrombin-based activators to accelerate coagulation by 40-60% compared to standard tubes. Third-party studies demonstrate 98.7% clot completion within 25 minutes at 37°C, enabling faster processing for critical tests like cardiac markers (troponin) and therapeutic drug monitoring.
Advanced red top serum clot activator tubes feature:
Brand | Clot Time (min) | Max Draw Volume | FDA Compliance |
---|---|---|---|
BD Vacutainer | 25 | 10 mL | 21 CFR 820 |
Greiner Bio-One | 28 | 8 mL | ISO 13485 |
Terumo | 30 | 9 mL | CE Marked |
Specialized serum tubes with clot activator can be modified for:
Massachusetts General Hospital reported 19% faster turnaround times after switching to enhanced serum clot tubes, processing 1,200 daily specimens with 0.8% repeat rates versus industry average 3.1%.
Independent testing (N=15,000 tubes) shows:
Next-generation serum clot collection systems now integrate IoT tracking for chain-of-custody documentation, while novel hydrogel barriers (patent pending) prevent platelet contamination in 99.1% of samples. Ongoing trials suggest potential for direct molecular testing without secondary aliquoting.
(serum clot tube)
A: Serum clot tubes are designed to collect blood samples and promote clot formation using additives like silica or thrombin. They separate serum for diagnostic tests such as chemistry panels. The tube is typically processed after 30 minutes of clotting.
A: The red top tube contains a clot activator but no anticoagulants, unlike lavender-top EDTA tubes or green-top heparin tubes. It’s used when serum is required instead of plasma. The absence of additives preserves analyte stability for specific tests.
A: Allowing 30 minutes for clotting prevents fibrin formation, which could interfere with test results. Premature centrifugation may cause incomplete serum separation. Follow lab protocols for exact clotting times.
A: Some serum tubes include a gel barrier to separate serum from cells during centrifugation. These are often gold or red-gray top tubes. Always verify tube specifications for compatibility with automated analyzers.
A: Excessive shaking may cause hemolysis, releasing cellular contents and skewing test results. Gently invert the tube 5-6 times to mix the clot activator. Avoid mechanical stress to ensure sample integrity.