BD Microtainer™ Tubes with Microgard™ Closure K2EDTA 250–500µL

Becton Dickinson

In vitro diagnostic device – capillary blood collection tube

K2EDTA capillary blood collection microtube with Microgard\u2122 safety closure (lavender cap)

CE Marked in vitro diagnostic medical device (CE IVD) in applicable regions.
Manufactured under an ISO 13485 Compliant quality management system for medical devices.
Designed and labelled in accordance with relevant standards for blood collection tubes, including requirements on tube identification, additives and fill marking.
Produced by BD, a global medical technology company operating under corporate environmental and quality standards (e.g. ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 at relevant sites).

CE Marked in vitro diagnostic medical device (CE IVD) in applicable regions.
Manufactured under an ISO 13485 Compliant quality management system for medical devices.
Designed and labelled in accordance with relevant standards for blood collection tubes, including requirements on tube identification, additives and fill marking.
Produced by BD, a global medical technology company operating under corporate environmental and quality standards (e.g. ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 at relevant sites).

K2EDTA capillary blood collection microtube with Microgard\u2122 safety closure (lavender cap)

Description

BD Microtainer™ K2EDTA tubes with Microgard™ closure (catalogue number 365975) are single-use, non-sterile, plastic microcollection tubes designed for the collection, transport and processing of small capillary or venous blood samples obtained by skin puncture. Each lavender-capped tube contains K2EDTA anticoagulant and is intended for hematology and blood profile analysis when only 250–500µL of blood is required. The wider 8 mm internal-diameter polypropylene tube incorporates visible fill lines to help maintain the correct blood-to-additive ratio, and uses the BD Microgard™ safety closure with an integrated collection scoop to simplify collection and mixing while substantially reducing blood splashes upon opening. The tubes are colour coded in line with BD Vacutainer® venous blood collection tubes and are particularly suited for infants, children, geriatric and critical-care patients where venous sampling or larger volumes may be difficult.

Bnefits

Designed specifically for collection, transport and storage of small-volume capillary blood samples (250–500µL), minimising patient blood loss.
K2EDTA anticoagulant ensures preservation of whole blood for hematology and blood profile analysis when the recommended fill range is respected.
Wider internal diameter (approx. 8 mm) and integrated collection scoop help blood flow easily into the tube and improve mixing, supporting high-quality specimens.
BD Microgard™ safety closure substantially reduces the risk of blood splatter when opening the tube, helping to protect healthcare workers from exposure.
Clearly marked fill lines assist users in achieving the correct blood-to-additive ratio for reliable and reproducible laboratory test results.
Colour-coded lavender closure matches standard BD Vacutainer® coding, supporting easy additive identification and consistent pre-analytical workflows.
Unbreakable polypropylene construction reduces the risk of breakage compared with glass microtubes, enhancing safety in clinical and laboratory environments.
Compatible with BD Microtainer® tube extenders so tubes can be used in standard 13 mm × 75 mm racks and many automated laboratory workflows.
Supplied as a box of 200 tubes, suitable for routine use in hospitals, laboratories, GP practices and aesthetic/dermatology clinics that perform capillary sampling.

Indications

Collection, transport and processing of capillary blood specimens obtained via skin puncture for hematology testing (e.g. complete blood count) where K2EDTA anticoagulant is indicated.
Collection of small-volume venous blood samples into K2EDTA when venous access is possible but only a limited sample volume is required.
Use in pediatric, neonatal, geriatric and critically ill patients from whom standard-volume venous blood samples may be difficult or inappropriate to obtain.
Capillary blood sampling in outpatient, GP, community, laboratory and point-of-care settings where microcollection tubes are preferred.
Use in aesthetic and dermatology practice where small EDTA blood volumes are required (for example, laboratory hematology monitoring alongside aesthetic procedures).

Composition

Tube material: medical-grade polypropylene microtube designed for capillary blood collection.
Closure material: BD Microgard™ safety closure made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with integrated collection scoop and twist-assist design.
Additive: K2EDTA (dipotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) anticoagulant in a quantity appropriate for a 250–500µL fill volume, for hematology and blood profile analysis.
Approximate tube size: microcollection tube designed for ~250–500µL capacity (10 mm outer diameter microtube form factor).
Non-sterile, single-use construction for in vitro diagnostic use only (not intended for injection or infusion).
Printed labelling (on relevant packaged variants) includes lot number, expiry date and fill marks to support identification and traceability.

Formulation

K2EDTA capillary blood collection microtube with BD Microgard™ safety closure, lavender colour-coded cap, polypropylene tube, capacity 250–500µL, non-sterile, single-use, in vitro diagnostic device.

Packaging

Medisave sales unit: box of 200 BD Microtainer™ K2EDTA tubes with Microgard™ closure (SKU/REF 365975).
Manufacturer master pack configuration: typically 50 tubes per inner pack, 4 inners per case (50/200 format) for a total of 200 tubes per case.
Each tube supplied with an attached BD Microgard™ safety closure and printed fill lines; many supply-chain packs include lot number and expiry on outer carton.
Outer case and inner packaging labelled with BD Microtainer® branding, catalogue number 365975, K2EDTA additive, lavender cap, Microgard™ closure and CE IVD marking (in applicable regions).

Usage

Verify that the tube additive and closure colour (lavender, K2EDTA) are appropriate for the requested tests before collection.
Prepare the puncture site and perform capillary skin puncture (e.g. heel, finger, or other approved site) according to institutional and CLSI guidelines.
Allow the first drop of blood to be wiped away if required by local protocol, then use the integrated collection scoop on the Microgard™ closure to guide subsequent drops into the tube.
Fill the tube so that the blood level is within the marked fill lines (between approximately 250 and 500µL) to ensure the correct blood-to-anticoagulant ratio.
Immediately after filling, gently invert the tube several times (following local hematology guidelines, commonly 8–10 gentle inversions) to mix blood with the K2EDTA and prevent clotting.
Label the tube with patient identifiers and other required information; a tube extender may be fitted if necessary for use in 13 mm × 75 mm racks and for attaching longer labels.
Transport and store the sample under appropriate conditions and time limits for hematology testing according to local laboratory procedures.
Do not freeze or excessively heat the filled tube; avoid vigorous shaking, which may cause hemolysis.
Single use only: do not reuse tubes. Dispose of used tubes as biohazardous waste in accordance with local regulations and institutional policies.

Contraindications

Not intended for collection of blood for tests incompatible with K2EDTA anticoagulant (e.g. certain coagulation or chemistry assays where EDTA is known to interfere).
Do not use if packaging is damaged, if tubes appear cracked, deformed or contaminated, or if the expiry date has passed.
Not for direct injection or infusion into patients; for in vitro diagnostic use only.
Use only for recommended fill range (250–500µL); significant underfilling or overfilling can lead to incorrect blood-to-additive ratios and potentially unreliable test results.
Not intended for layperson self-testing; use only by trained healthcare professionals.

Adverse Effects

Improper filling or mixing can lead to sample clotting, potentially causing invalid test results and the need for sample recollection.
Excessive blood-to-additive ratio (due to underfilling) may alter certain hematology parameters and affect clinical interpretation.
As with all blood collection, there is a risk of sample leakage or breakage if the tube is mishandled, though risk is reduced by the unbreakable plastic construction.
Potential occupational exposure to blood if the Microgard™ closure is opened improperly or if standard biosafety procedures are not followed.

Storage Conditions

Store empty tubes in their original packaging until use, in a clean, dry location.
Maintain at room temperature as recommended for BD Microtainer® tubes; avoid extreme temperatures, freezing, and excessive heat.
Protect from direct sunlight and sources of ozone or chemicals that might degrade plastic materials or closure performance.
Do not use tubes beyond the manufacturer’s indicated expiry date.
Keep out of reach of unauthorised persons; handle and dispose of used tubes as biohazardous waste.