Serum-separating tube

Serum-separating tube (SST) is a type of blood collection tube used in medical laboratory testing. It contains a special gel that separates the blood cells from the serum when centrifuged. This allows for the isolation of the serum for various diagnostic tests.

History

The serum-separating tube was first introduced in the 1970s by the company Becton Dickinson. The invention of the SST revolutionized the field of clinical chemistry by simplifying the process of serum separation and reducing the risk of contamination.

Design

The SST is a plastic or glass tube with a rubber stopper. It is typically filled with a clot activator and a gel that has a density between that of blood cells and serum. When the tube is centrifuged, the blood cells sink to the bottom, the gel forms a barrier in the middle, and the serum rises to the top.

Use

To use an SST, a healthcare professional first draws blood into the tube. The tube is then left to stand for 15-30 minutes to allow the blood to clot. After clotting, the tube is centrifuged for about 10 minutes. The centrifugation causes the denser blood cells to sink to the bottom of the tube, while the less dense serum rises to the top. The gel barrier prevents the serum and cells from mixing when the tube is moved.

Applications

The serum obtained from an SST is used in a wide range of diagnostic tests in the fields of biochemistry, immunology, serology, and endocrinology. These tests can help diagnose diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and infectious diseases.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of the SST is that it simplifies the process of serum separation and reduces the risk of contamination. However, the SST also has some disadvantages. For example, the gel barrier can sometimes trap serum, reducing the amount available for testing. In addition, the clotting process can cause the release of substances from the blood cells, which can interfere with some tests.

See Also

• Blood collection
• Clinical chemistry
• Medical laboratory

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