Product Name: Heparin Tube |
Keywords: heparinized vacutainer tubes, sodium heparin blood collection tubes, sodium heparin blood tube, sodium heparin tube, capillary tube with heparin
1. Introduction: Why Heparinized Vacutainer Tubes Matter
Heparinized vacutainer tubes are a cornerstone in modern clinical diagnostics, biochemistry, and analytical laboratories. Designed to prevent blood coagulation during specimen collection and processing, these tubes are essential for high-precision plasma analyses. With a global market projected to reach $1.28 billion by 2026 (source), their demand is driven by innovations in pre-analytical sample quality, automation, and regulatory compliance. Related products, such as sodium heparin blood collection tubes, capillary tubes with heparin, and sodium heparin tubes, address a variety of clinical and research applications where plasma samples are required without clot formation.
Industry Fact: Over
90% of hospital laboratories worldwide use heparin-based anticoagulant blood collection tubes for plasma-based testing (
Clinical Laboratory Review).
2. Technical Parameters and Comparative Data
Heparinized vacutainer tubes utilize either lithium heparin or sodium heparin as active anticoagulants. Their technical performance is gauged by material purity, additive homogeneity, sterility, tube volume accuracy, and certified quality controls such as ISO 6710 and FDA 510(k) clearance.
Product Specification Table: Comparison of Heparinized Vacutainer Tubes
Product |
Anticoagulant |
Tube Volume (mL) |
Material |
Certification |
Color Code |
Closure Type |
Reference Standard |
Shelf Life |
Heparin Tube |
Sodium heparin |
2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 |
PET/Glass |
ISO 6710 / CE |
Green |
Rubber stopper |
CLSI GP39 |
2 years |
BD Vacutainer® Lithium Heparin |
Lithium heparin |
2.0, 4.0, 6.0 |
PET |
FDA 510(k) |
Green |
Hemogard™ |
ISO 6710 |
18 months |
Sarstedt S-Monovette® |
Heparin sodium |
2.7, 4.9 |
PET/PP |
CE |
Green |
Screw cap |
ISO 6710 |
2 years |
Greiner Bio-One MiniCollect |
Lithium heparin |
0.25–1.0 |
PET |
IVD, CE |
Green |
Rubber |
CLSI GP39 |
1.5 years |
★ Note: PET = Polyethylene Terephthalate, CLSI = Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute
3. Technology Process: Manufacturing Heparinized Vacutainer Tubes
Step-by-step Manufacturing Process
- Raw Material Selection ➔ High-purity PET/Glass sourced, ensuring chemical stability and transparency.
- Tubing Formation ➔ CNC forming or glass tubing casting for precise internal diameter and wall thickness.
- Cleaning & De-pyrogenation ➔ Automated line washing & heat sterilization (ISO 11137 compliant).
- Anticoagulant Coating ➔ Even distribution of sodium heparin or lithium heparin via robotic spray, achieving ±5% dosing precision.
- Sealing & Stoppering ➔ Insertion of low-permeability rubber stoppers in ISO-classified environment.
- Batch Quality Testing ➔ Vacuum integrity, additive assay, and endotoxin screening (USP & ISO 13485 checklists).
- Packing & Traceable Labeling ➔ Automated packaging with serialization, batch control.
4. Technical Advantages & Industry Certifications
Certified Materials
- High-clarity PET or borosilicate glass tubes for robust chemical resistance.
- Sterilization: ISO 11137 — gamma/radiation based validation.
Advanced Manufacturing
- Robotic CNC machining for geometric precision (±0.03mm tolerance).
- Automated anticoagulant (sodium heparin) spraying ensures uniform coating.
Quality Standards
- Regulatory: ISO 13485, ISO 6710, FDA 510(k), CE.
- Batch endotoxin testing to USP & CLSI GP39-A standards.
Long Service Life
- Stable vacuum for up to 2 years shelf-life.
- Excellent seal integrity under varied transport/storage conditions.
5. Industry Trends and Market Insights
- Automation: Transition toward automated phlebotomy and closed-loop blood collection systems increases demand for precise, additive-coated tubes.
- Compliance Focus: Stringent adherence to ISO 6710:2017 and FDA requirements for traceability & product labeling.
- Miniaturization: Growth in pediatric/geriatric and capillary sampling (capillary tube with heparin Ø0.5–1.2mm) enabled by advanced micro-manufacturing.
- Eco-conscious Production: Use of recyclable PET and biodegradable stoppers in leading manufacturer pipelines.
- Globalization: Strategic partnerships with global distributors and reference labs to ensure consistent supply chain (BioWorld News).
6. Use Scenarios: Clinical and Industrial Applications
Clinical Chemistry Panels
Used for plasma-based assays: electrolytes, liver & renal function, cardiac markers, and ammonia analysis. Sodium heparin blood collection tubes enable rapid centrifugation and plasma extraction, minimizing pre-analytical errors.
Pharmaceutical R&D
Extensively applied for pharmacokinetic studies, toxicology plasma samples and compatibility with high-throughput automated analyzers.
Environmental & Industrial Testing
Heparinized tubes support heavy metal and trace element quantification (e.g., lead, mercury) with no interference from EDTA or other anticoagulants.
Pediatric & Capillary Sampling
Micro-sized capillary tube with heparin (as small as 70µL volume) reduces injury and is ideal for infants and rare specimen scenarios.
7. Third-Party Manufacturer Comparison
★ Bar chart: Comparison of top brands by purity, service life, tube volume.
8. Heparin Tube Technical Data & Performance Visualization
Heparin Tube Market Distribution by Type: PET dominates global use for automated and manual sampling.
Annual Growth Curve: ✦ The
heparinized vacutainer tubes global output grew by 104% since 2019 (Source:
Markets & Markets).
9. Customization & Tailored Solutions
- Volume Range: 0.25–10.0mL (macro- and micro-tubes available).
- Anticoagulant Type: Sodium heparin & lithium heparin dosing options for specialized analytical compatibility.
- Private Labeling: Available for OEM contracts, supporting global hospitals and laboratory chains.
- Packaging: Bulk blister, rack pack, and sterile single-pouch for different workflow needs.
- Color Coding: Custom closure and label printing meet hospital and research labeling workflows.
- Material Choices: PET, glass, or composite for tailored chemical compatibility.
10. Use Case Highlights & Customer Experience
Case 1: Large Hospital Laboratory (Europe)
"By switching to heparinized vacutainer tubes with improved vacuum stability, we reduced pre-analytical hemolysis by 30% and increased daily sample throughput by 55%."
(Source: Lab Operations Director, 2023 Feedback Audit)
Case 2: Water Quality Laboratory
Sodium heparin blood collection tubes were customized to resist heavy metal contamination, enabling precise trace mercury testing (Analytical Quality Review).
Case 3: Field Research (Africa)
Capillary tube with heparin enabled mobile blood collection in high-temperature conditions with >96% stability after 48 hours of transport.
11. Delivery, Warranty, and Customer Support
- Delivery Cycle: Standard products ready for shipment within 5–8 days; custom/OEM cycles within 14–18 days.
- Warranty: Two-year integrity guarantee, batch replacement for integrity failures.
- ISO/CE Compliance: Quality endorsed by ISO 13485, ISO 6710, CE marking.
- 24/7 Support: Technical helpline, user documentation, on-site training available for distributors/clients worldwide.
- Traceable Batches: Barcoded serials for anti-counterfeiting and full manufacturing traceability.
12. Professional FAQ on Heparinized Vacutainer Tubes
- Q1: What materials are used for heparinized vacutainer tubes?
- A1: High-purity PET (polyethylene terephthalate), borosilicate glass, and medical-grade stoppers ensure biocompatibility and chemical resistance.
- Q2: What is the standard tube volume?
- A2: Common options range from 2.0 mL to 5.0 mL for venous samples, with capillary tubes as low as 0.25–1.0 mL for pediatric applications.
- Q3: Which anticoagulant is used, and can it be customized?
- A3: Sodium heparin and lithium heparin are routinely offered. Dosing is precisely calibrated (±5%) and can be tailored for specific analytic requirements.
- Q4: Is the product compliant with global standards?
- A4: Yes. All products conform to ISO 13485, ISO 6710:2017, FDA 510(k), and European IVD CE directives.
- Q5: How is vacuum integrity maintained?
- A5: Tubes undergo in-line vacuum testing, and feature double-seal rubber stoppers that preserve integrity for up to 24 months under recommended storage.
- Q6: What are the labeling and traceability options?
- A6: Tubes come with barcoded, batch-numbered labels for digital inventory control and anti-counterfeiting verification.
- Q7: What is unique about capillary tube with heparin for micro-sampling?
- A7: Ultra-fine bore (0.5–1.2mm) tubes with medical-grade heparin pre-coating, optimized for pediatric, avian, or rare specimen research with minimal blood loss.
13. Why Choose Heparin Tube?
- Industry expertise: Over 15 years in high-precision blood tube manufacturing.
- Trusted by hospitals, research institutes, and international laboratory networks.
- Authoritative Quality: Full compliance with global standards: FDA, ISO, CE.
- Continuous R&D: Ongoing improvement programs, real-world data feedback integration.
- Competitive pricing and tailored delivery.
14. References & Further Reading