Specimen collection containers can be used for collecting urine and faeces samples from animals for analysis as well as, body tissue along with various other samples for laboratory testing. Most blood collection tubes contain an additive that either accelerates clotting of the blood (clot activator) or prevents the blood from clotting (anticoagulant).
- Blood Collection Tubes
- Urine Collection Containers
- Swabs
- Stool Collection Containers
- Sputum Collection Containers
- Biopsy Containers
- Saliva Collection Devices
- CSF Collection Devices
- Devices for Specialized Specimen Collection
1. Blood Collection Tubes:
Most blood collection tubes contain an additive that either speeds up blood clotting (a coagulation activator) or prevents blood clotting (anticoagulant). A tube containing a coagulation activator will produce a serum sample when the blood is separated by centrifugation, and a tube containing an anticoagulant will produce a plasma sample after centrifugation. Some tests require the use of serum, others plasma, and still others anticoagulated whole blood.
| Tube Top Color | Tube Color and Additive | Usage |
|---|---|---|
 | Red Top – No additives | For Biochemistry and Serology |
 | Yellow Top (SST) – Gel separator | For Biochemistry and Serology |
 | Purple/Lavender Top – (EDTA (anticoagulant) | For Hematology (e.g., CBC, HbA1c) |
 | Blue Top – Sodium citrate (anticoagulant) | For Coagulation Tests (e.g., PT, APTT) |
 | Green Top – Heparin (anticoagulant) | For Biochemistry and Serology |
 | Grey Top – Sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate | For Glucose and Lactate Test |
 | Black Top – Buffered sodium citrate | Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) testing |
2. Urine Collection Containers:
Various styles of urine containers suitable for sample collection and testing demands. High sealing prevents leakage and contamination during storage and transportation.
| Container | Container Type | Usage |
|---|---|---|
 | Sterile Urine Containers | For Routine urinalysis, urine cultures, and other tests |
 | 24-Hour Urine Containers | For 24 Hours Urine Tests |
 | Urine Culture Tubes | For Urine Culture |
3. Swabs:
Swabs are used for the collection and transport of bacteriological, serological and cytological samples. Swabs can be used both on intact skin and in natural body orifices. They can also be used in the food industry for hygiene checks and sampling of different surfaces. In addition to short and long swab models, plastic, wooden or aluminium swabs are also available, as well as versions with and without a transport medium to stabilise the sample.
| Swabs | Swab Type | Uses |
|---|---|---|
 | Alcohol Swab | For disinfect the skin before injections or collection of blood. |
 | Sterile Cotton Swab | For wound, throat, or skin swabs for Culture. |
 | Calcium Alginate Swab | For Bacterial cultures. |
 | Cytology Swab | For Cytological Tests (e.g., Pap smears). |
 | Dry Transport Swab | For dry samples without any preservation medium. |
 | Flocked Swab | For respiratory and viral sample collection. |
 | Nasopharyngeal Swab | For nasopharynx for respiratory virus testing (e.g., COVID-19). |
 | Oral Swab | For saliva or oral tissue samples for testing, including DNA and drug testing. |
 | Polyester Swab | For sample collection in sensitive areas, including nasopharyngeal and viral cultures. |
4. Stool Collection Containers:
Specialized storage containers designed to collect, preserve, and stabilize stool samples; products may be available in multiple sizes, capacities, materials, etc. Products may include concentration kits/systems, indicators, reagents, etc.
| Container | Container Type | Uses |
|---|---|---|
 | Stool Cups | For General stool analysis. |
 | Ova and Parasite (O&P) Containers | For stool sample collection to detect parasites and their eggs (ova). |
 | Stool Culture Containers | For Stool cultures to detect pathogens. |
 | Fecal Fat Test Containers | For fat content for malabsorption or pancreatic insufficiency. |
5. Sputum Collection Containers:
Sputum collection containers are available at your doctor’s office or laboratory. They are sterile and should only be opened to introduce the sample. Once the sample is collected, replace the lid on the container and return it to the laboratory within two hours.
| Container | Container Type | Uses |
|---|---|---|
 | Sterile Sputum Containers | For bacterial, fungal, and general microbiological testing. |
 | Sputum Culture Containers | For Sputum Culture |
 | AFB Sputum Containers | For Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) test. |
 | Sputum Cytology Containers | For Cytology Tests. |
 | Induced Sputum Collection Containers | For sputum production is induced, often for testing lung diseases or infections. |
6. Biopsy Specimen Containers:
A semi-closed system for more secure fixation of biopsies. A slight twist of the top cap releases formalin, minimizing exposure to vapors and completely protecting it from the liquid, allowing organisms to be preserved for up to 72 hours.
| Containers | Container Type | Uses |
|---|---|---|
 | Formalin-Filled Containers | For Biopsy samples in formalin for histopathological examination. |
 | Sterile Biopsy Containers | For Biopsy samples for molecular testing or culture without preservatives. |
 | Saline-Filled Containers | For Biopsy Sample to Transporting and immediate freezing. |
 | Dry Biopsy Containers | For small tissue samples that will be processed quickly. |
 | Michel’s Transport Medium Containers | For biopsy samples for immunofluorescence studies, particularly in dermatology. |
7. Saliva Collection Devices:
Saliva collection devices are plastic tubes with a saliva funnel screwed onto the top of a tube for collecting approximately 2 ml of saliva; the corresponding tube contains 2 ml of reagent which will then be added to the collected saliva.
| Devices | Device Type | Uses |
|---|---|---|
 | Saliva Collection Tubes | For saliva samples for DNA testing, genetic analysis, or hormone testing. |
 | Saliva Swabs | For non-invasive saliva smple for drug testing or rapid diagnostics. |
 | Oral Fluid Collection Devices | For oral fluids for viral, bacterial, or drug testing. |
 | Saliva Collection Vials | For saliva-based testing of hormones. |
 | DNA Saliva Collection Kits | For preserve saliva samples for DNA analysis. |
8. CSF Collection Devices:
Most commonly, CSF is collected by lumbar puncture. In some cases, a lateral cervical puncture, ventricular puncture, or cisternal puncture2 may be used. Typically, CSF is collected in 3 or 4 sterile tubes without anticoagulant.
| Devices | Device Type | Uses |
|---|---|---|
 | Lumbar Puncture Kits | CSF collection via spinal tap. |
 | CSF Collection Tubes | Storage for CSF samples. |
 | CSF Drainage Bags | Continuous CSF drainage. |
 | CSF Shunt Kits | Drains excess CSF in hydrocephalus. |
 | CSF Pressure Monitoring Devices | Measures intracranial pressure. |
9. Devices for Specialized Specimen Collection:
| Devices | Device Type | Uses |
|---|---|---|
 | Blood Culture Bottles | Detects bacteria or fungi in blood. |
 | Viral Transport Media (VTM) Tubes | Transports viral samples. |
 | Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Needles | Aspiration of tissue or fluid. |
 | Sweat Collection Devices | Diagnoses cystic fibrosis. |
 | Bone Marrow Aspiration Needles | Collects bone marrow samples. |
 | Pleural Fluid Collection Kits | Collects fluid from pleural cavity. |
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