Abstract: A device for separating plasma from whole blood is provided having an evacuated primary collection chamber capable of fluid communication through a porous filter to an evacuated secondary collection chamber. An agglutinating agent is provided within the primary collection chamber so as to aggregate blood cells within a whole blood sample. The porous filter has a pore size which is small enough to capture the aggregated blood cells therein, yet large enough to permit plasma to transfer therethrough under pressures associated with conventional evacuated blood collection tubes. The primary and secondary collection chambers may be provided in separate containers or tubes, with transfer occurring therebetween through a transfer device including the porous filter therein.

Abstract: A device and method for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising a deformable bellows, a ballast mounted to the lower end of the bellows, and a float is engageable with an upper end of the bellows. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the ballast to move toward the bottom of the tube and causes an elongation and narrowing of the bellows. The separator then moves down the tube and stabilizes in a position between the separated phases of the fluid sample. Termination of the centrifugal load enables the bellows to return to its original condition in sealing engagement with the walls of the tube.

Abstract: A device and method for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising a deformable bellows, a ballast mounted to the lower end of the bellows, and a float is engageable with an upper end of the bellows. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the ballast to move toward the bottom of the tube and causes an elongation and narrowing of the bellows. The separator then moves down the tube and stabilizes in a position between the separated phases of the fluid sample. Termination of the centrifugal load enables the bellows to return to its original condition in sealing engagement with the walls of the tube.

Abstract: A blood collection device comprising formed additive particles. The additive particles are an improvement over available additive formulations that are powder blended in that the components of the additive particles of the present invention are in each formed particle. The formed additive particles comprise a fluoride salt and an ethylenediaminetetraacetate salt or a heparin salt to consistently minimize glycolysis and coagulation of a blood specimen with low hemolysis.