Sputocol™ 50 mL Freestanding Sputum Collection System — PPC Tube, HDPE Funnel & Base, 72/Bag (221-3996-G80)
The Caplugs® Evergreen Sputocol™ is a complete, pre-assembled three-component sputum collection system consisting of a 50 mL conical Polypropylene Copolymer (PPC) centrifuge tube, a wide-mouth High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) funnel, and an HDPE standing base — all individually packed and ready for immediate point-of-care deployment. Designed for tuberculosis (AFB), PCP, respiratory virology, and quantitative sputum culture workflows, the system enables patient self-collection without requiring assembly by clinical staff. Each Bag contains 72 pre-assembled units, providing consistent specimen volume, purity, and transport integrity across regulated collection programs.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Part Number (MPN) | 221-3996-G80 |
| Sub-brand | Sputocol™ (Caplugs® Evergreen) |
| Tube Volume | 50 mL |
| Tube Bottom Type | Conical |
| Tube Material | Polypropylene Copolymer (PPC) |
| Funnel Material | High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) |
| Base Material | High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) |
| Components | 50 mL PPC tube + wide-mouth HDPE funnel + HDPE standing base |
| Assembly State | Pre-assembled, individually packed |
| Sterility | Non-Sterile |
| Pack Size | 72/Bag |
| BPA / Phthalates | BPA-free; no phthalate plasticizers |
| Country of Origin | USA (California) |
Applications
- Tuberculosis (TB) / AFB culture: Primary sputum collection for acid-fast bacilli smear and culture; the wide-mouth funnel guides expectoration directly into the tube, minimizing contamination and spillage risk.
- NALC-NaOH sputum processing: The PPC tube body is chemically compatible with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC) digestion-decontamination reagents used in the standard NALC-NaOH protocol for specimen decontamination and concentration.
- Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) diagnosis: Induced sputum collection for Pneumocystis detection in immunocompromised patients.
- Respiratory virology: Sputum specimen collection for viral culture, PCR, and antigen testing workflows.
- Quantitative sputum culture: Conical tube geometry is compatible with standard centrifuge rotor positions for specimen concentration and pellet recovery.
- Outpatient and self-collection programs: The freestanding base holds the assembly upright hands-free, supporting unsupervised patient collection in clinical and outpatient settings.
Chemical Resistance
| Reagent / Condition | Material | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous buffers / saline / sputum specimens | PPC tube, HDPE funnel & base | Excellent |
| NALC-NaOH digestion-decontamination reagent | PPC tube | Compatible — intended use |
| Dilute sodium hypochlorite (bleach) — surface decontamination | HDPE funnel & base | Good — routine contact |
| 70% Ethanol — surface decontamination | HDPE funnel & base | Good — routine contact |
| Chlorinated solvents / aromatic solvents | PPC tube | Not recommended |
Quality & Procurement
Made in USA (California), Sputocol™ collection systems are manufactured under ISO 9001 quality management from BPA-free, phthalate-free resins. Individual packaging supports chain-of-custody documentation requirements common in regulated TB program specimen collection protocols. LabSupplies.com is an authorized Caplugs® Evergreen dealer and ships from USA inventory; tiered pricing is available for high-volume institutional, public health, and grant-funded laboratory programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these sputum collection systems sterile?
No — the Sputocol™ 221-3996-G80 systems are supplied non-sterile. They are individually packed to support point-of-care deployment and chain-of-custody documentation, but no sterility claim is made. Verify your institutional protocol requirements before use in applications that specify sterile collection devices.
Do the systems arrive pre-assembled, or does staff need to assemble them?
Each unit arrives fully pre-assembled — tube, wide-mouth funnel, and standing base are ready to hand directly to the patient or deploy at the collection station with no additional assembly steps required by clinical staff.
Is the PPC tube compatible with NALC-NaOH sputum processing?
Yes. The Polypropylene Copolymer tube body is chemically compatible with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC) digestion-decontamination reagents, making these systems suitable for the standard NALC-NaOH protocol used in TB and AFB specimen processing.
Can the conical tube be centrifuged directly for specimen concentration?
Yes. The conical bottom geometry is compatible with standard centrifuge rotor positions, allowing direct centrifugation for specimen concentration and pellet recovery without transferring the sample to a secondary tube.