BD Vacutainer® CPT™ Cell Preparation Tube with Sodium Heparin

Summary & Explanation

Isolation of mononuclear cells from whole blood is a first step for many in vitro assays. One currently accepted technique for mononuclear cell separation, referred to as the FICOLL™ HYPAQUE™ method, employs a liquid density gradient medium of FICOLL™ and sodium metrizoate or sodium diatrizoate solution (1,2,3). The procedure uses anticoagulated blood, collected by routine phlebotomy, which is diluted with a buffered solution, and then carefully layered onto the medium. This preparation is then centrifuged to isolate the mononuclear cells above the medium. The cells are harvested by carefully pipetting them from the liquid interface. The BD Vacutainer® CPT™ Cell Preparation Tube with Sodium Heparin combines a blood collection tube containing a sodium heparin anticoagulant with a FICOLL™ HYPAQUE™ density fluid and a polyester gel barrier which separates the two liquids. The result is a convenient, single Tube system for the collection of whole blood and the separation of mononuclear cells. The BD Vacutainer® CPT™ Cell Preparation Tube with Sodium Heparin reduces the risk of sample contamination and eliminates the need for additional tubes, pipettes, and reagents. Samples can be transported without removing them from the Tube.

FICOLL is a trademark of Amersham Biosciences AB
HYPAQUE is a trademark of Amersham Health AS