(858) 224-9100
NEMBROTHA CRISTATA
Sample Collection
Specimen collection tubes, transport media, centrifuge tubes, deep well plates, swabs, and collection kits for clinical, environmental, and research workflows.
0.5–50mL
Tube Volumes
Sterile
Options Available
FDA-listed
Transport Media
🧪
Lab Tubes vs. Collection Devices — What's the Difference?
Centrifuge tubes and deep well plates are used in the lab for processing, storing, and organizing samples after collection. They go in centrifuges, freezers, and liquid handlers. Collection devices (VTM, swabs, blood tubes, urine cups) are designed for the point of collection — the clinic, field site, or patient bedside. They preserve sample integrity during transport to the lab. Many workflows use both: collect with a device, then transfer to lab tubes for processing.
COLLECTION METHOD GUIDE
Which collection method do you need?
| Sample Type | Collection Device | Transport | Lab Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory (NP/OP) | Flocked swab + VTM | 2–8°C within 72 hrs | PCR extraction |
| Blood | Vacutainer tube (EDTA/SST) | Room temp or refrigerated | Centrifuge → serum/plasma |
| Urine | Specimen cup | Room temp (preservative optional) | Urinalysis or culture |
| Food / Environmental | Sterile sampling bag | Refrigerated | Culture or PCR |
| Saliva | Saliva collection kit | Room temp (stabilizer included) | Genomics or diagnostics |
💡VTM Temperature Matters
Viral transport media maintains pathogen viability for PCR testing, but specimens should reach the lab within 72 hours at 2–8°C. For longer transport times, freeze at -70°C. Our VTM tubes are pre-filled with 3mL of transport medium and include one flocked swab per tube.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Sample Collection FAQ
Yes. Our viral transport media tubes are FDA-listed Class I medical devices. Each lot comes with a certificate of analysis confirming sterility and pathogen recovery performance.
Conical tubes (15mL, 50mL) are used for larger volumes — cell pelleting, reagent prep, and sample storage. Microcentrifuge tubes (0.5–2.0mL) are for small-volume work — PCR reactions, enzyme assays, and sample aliquoting. Conical tubes fit floor centrifuges; microcentrifuge tubes fit benchtop microfuges.
Yes. Round-well plates are better for mixing and vortexing. Square-well plates maximize volume per well (up to 2.2mL) and are preferred for compound storage and liquid handling platforms.
Yes. Our sterile sampling bags with wire closures meet food safety testing requirements for environmental sampling, surface swabbing, and product testing per FDA BAM and AOAC methods.
Need collection supplies for a specific protocol?
We carry specimen containers, transport media, and accessories for clinical, environmental, and research collection workflows.