Distera-capillary

The VACUSERA Mini Capillary Blood Collection System is designed for pediatric and low-volume sampling, using 0.2–0.5 ml safety-capped tubes with the same additive families as venous tubes (serum, heparin, EDTA, glucose, citrate). After lancet puncture, blood is collected directly into the tube, then gently inverted (3–10 times depending on tube) to mix with the additive. The order of draw is: serum → heparin → EDTA → glucose → citrate. When plasma/serum separation is required, tubes are centrifuged under the same RCF/time protocols as venous equivalents. Because of the small volumes, precise filling and immediate mixing are critical to avoid clotting or dilution errors. VACUSERA Mini tubes, combined with pressure-activated safety lancets, ensure safe, consistent, and reliable capillary blood collection.

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• System components:
  Mini PET tubes (0.2–0.5 ml) with safety caps, color-coded by additive; compatible lancets with fixed penetration depth; full pediatric-focused accessories.
  Lancet sizes range 21G–30G (1.5–2.8 mm depth), pressure-activated for consistent puncture.
  

• General steps (capillary sampling):
  

• Warm site (finger/heel), disinfect and dry.
  

• Puncture with safety lancet, wipe away first drop.
  

• Collect subsequent drops directly into Mini tubes (0.2–0.5 ml), holding upright to allow capillary filling.
  

• Immediately close with safety cap.
  

• Invert gently per tube type (3–10 times).
  

• Label and transport upright.
  

• Order of draw (Mini tubes):
  

• Serum tubes – clot activator (CAT ± gel)
  

• Heparin tubes – lithium or sodium (± gel)
  

• EDTA tubes – K2EDTA / K3EDTA
  

• Glucose tubes – NaF + K2EDTA
  

• Coagulation (sodium citrate 3.2%) – last (only when needed, requires precise fill)
  

• Mixing (after collection, gentle inversions):
  

• Serum (CAT ± gel): 5–6 inversions
  

• Heparin (± gel): 8–10 inversions
  

• EDTA (K2/K3): 8–10 inversions
  

• Glucose (NaF + K2EDTA): 8–10 inversions
  

• Coagulation (citrate): 3–4 inversions
  

• Centrifugation (if serum/plasma separation needed):
  Use same RCF/time ranges as venous (scaled volumes):
  

• Serum CAT / CAT+gel: 2000–3000 g × 10–15 min (or 4000 g × 5 min for rapid thrombin/gel)
  

• Heparin plasma: 1300–2000 g × 10 min
  

• EDTA + gel (molecular): 1100–1500 g × 10 min
  

• Citrate (coagulation): 2000–2500 g × 10–15 min
  

• Mini tube families:
  

• Mini Serum (CAT): 0.2 / 0.5 ml, with or without gel.
  

• Mini EDTA: K2EDTA / K3EDTA (0.2 / 0.5 ml).
  

• Mini Heparin: Lithium or sodium (± gel, 0.2 / 0.5 ml).
  

• Mini Glucose: NaF + K2EDTA (0.2 / 0.5 ml).
  

• Mini Coagulation: 0.5 ml, 3.2% sodium citrate.
  

• Safety & quality notes:
  

• Exact fill volume is crucial due to low total blood volume (especially citrate).
  

• Mix immediately to prevent clotting/hemolysis.
  

• Use pediatric-appropriate lancet size (21–30G depending on site).
  

• Capillary samples are more prone to platelet activation → follow order of draw strictly.
  

• Store/transport upright; check tube expiry (typically 12–18 months).