5 mL Sera-Separa® Blood Tube Columns with Fine Filter (15–45 µm) — LDPE, Natural, BD® Compatible (208-3193-020)
These Caplugs® Evergreen Sera-Separa® Blood Tube Columns are designed for gravity-flow serum and plasma separation inside standard 13×75 mm (5 mL) blood collection tubes, making them the ideal choice for pediatric draws, small-volume stat collections, and any workflow where a centrifuge is unavailable or impractical. Each column features a fine-filter disk rated at 15–45 microns that retains cells and fibrin while allowing clarified serum or plasma to pass through in 5–10 minutes under gravity alone. Supplied non-sterile in 100/Bag packaging, part number 208-3193-020 is manufactured from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in a natural (translucent) color.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Part Number (MPN) | 208-3193-020 |
| Product Format | Sera-Separa® Blood Tube Column |
| Volume / Tube Format | 5 mL (fits 13×75 mm blood collection tubes) |
| Filter Pore Size | 15–45 microns (fine filter) |
| Material | Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) |
| Color | Natural |
| Sterility | Non-Sterile |
| Pack Size | 100/Bag |
| BPA / Phthalate / Latex | BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free, Latex-Free |
| Country of Origin | USA |
Applications
- Gravity-flow serum separation from SST, red-top, and PST tubes — no centrifuge required
- Plasma preparation from lithium heparin (green-top) and EDTA (lavender-top) 5 mL tubes for immunoassay, coagulation, and chemistry panels
- Pediatric and neonatal blood collection workflows where draw volume is limited to 5 mL or less
- Point-of-care and satellite lab settings where centrifuge access is restricted or time-sensitive
- Stat testing protocols requiring rapid serum or plasma clarification within 5–10 minutes
- Parallel plasma preparation alongside CBC workflows using EDTA tubes
Compatibility
These columns are dimensioned for standard 13×75 mm (5 mL) blood collection tubes and serve as a centrifuge-free separation solution across the most common tube formats in clinical use. Compatible tube types include the BD Vacutainer® SST II (gold-top), BD Vacutainer® plain red-top, BD Vacutainer® PST II (light-green), BD Vacutainer® K2EDTA (lavender), and BD Vacutainer® lithium heparin (green-top), as well as equivalent 13×75 mm formats from Greiner Bio-One and Sarstedt (S-Monovette). The flexible LDPE column body seats conformally within the tube without requiring precision-fit tolerances, accommodating the slight dimensional variation that occurs across tube manufacturers and production lots. Laboratories currently using the 9 mL Sera-Separa® format (208-3084-020) for adult draws can adopt these 5 mL columns as the direct pediatric and small-draw counterpart within the same workflow.
Chemical Resistance
| Reagent / Condition | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Aqueous buffers / saline | Excellent |
| EDTA (K2/K3 anticoagulant) | Excellent |
| Lithium heparin | Excellent |
| Sodium citrate | Excellent |
| Serum separator gel matrices | Excellent |
| Dilute acids and bases | Good |
| Ethanol / alcohols | Good — short-term contact |
| Chlorinated solvents (chloroform, DCM) | Not recommended |
| Aromatic solvents (toluene, xylene) | Not recommended |
Quality & Procurement
Made in USA, these Sera-Separa® columns are produced at a Caplugs® Evergreen U.S. manufacturing facility operating under ISO 9001 quality management controls. The LDPE resin is FDA-compliant and free of BPA, phthalates, and latex, ensuring minimal extractables that could interfere with downstream immunoassay, coagulation, or clinical chemistry testing. LabSupplies.com is an authorized dealer of Caplugs® Evergreen laboratory consumables and ships from USA inventory, typically same business day for stocking items. Volume pricing and written quotes are available for multi-bag orders and hospital-system standing orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these columns require a centrifuge to separate serum or plasma?
No — the Sera-Separa® design uses gravity flow through the 15–45 micron fine-filter disk. After allowing the tube to clot or anticoagulate, inserting the column and waiting approximately 5–10 minutes delivers clarified serum or plasma without any centrifugation step.
Which blood collection tube brands and types are compatible with these columns?
The columns are sized for standard 13×75 mm (5 mL) tubes and have been noted as compatible with BD Vacutainer® SST II, red-top, PST II, lithium heparin, and K2EDTA formats, as well as equivalent tubes from Greiner Bio-One and Sarstedt. Always verify dimensional fit against your specific tube lot before full implementation.
Are these columns sterile, and can they be used for clinical patient samples?
These columns are supplied non-sterile and are intended for in-vitro laboratory use. Sterility requirements for your specific application should be evaluated according to your laboratory's standard operating procedures and applicable regulatory guidelines.
Is there a larger-volume version available for adult blood draws?
Yes — the companion 9 mL Sera-Separa® Blood Tube Column (208-3084-020) is designed for standard adult-draw tubes. Laboratories can deploy both formats side by side, using the 5 mL columns for pediatric and small-draw specimens and the 9 mL columns for routine adult collections.