ASTM E923-97(2013)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Glass Westergren Tube, Reusable
Standard Specification for Glass Westergren Tube, Reusable
ABSTRACT
This specification covers the design and dimensional requirements for reusable glass Westergren tubes that measure the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which is the suspension stability, or amount of settling after a specified time, of red blood cells in diluted, anti-coagulated human blood. The tubes shall be fabricated from Type I, Class B borosilicate glass, or Type II soda lime glass. Tubes shall comply with requirements for graduation line length and numbering, marking permanency, grinding bevel, and workmanship. The tubes should also pass a pigmentation and amber stain test.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification describes requirements for a tube that measures the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). ESR is the suspension stability of red cells in diluted, anti-coagulated human blood.
1.1.1 The use of the term “rate” is, strictly speaking, not correct. The test measures the amount of settling of red cells after a specified time.
1.2 The tubes are used together with a special rack to ensure they remain in a vertical position during the test.
1.3 This specification includes many dimensional requirements that are, for the most part, in agreement with the British Standards Institution, German Standards Institute, International Committee for Standardization in Haematology, and the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards publications on Westergren tubes. The clinical procedure using the tube described in this specification is known as the “Westergren Method.”
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E923 −97 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Specification for
Glass Westergren Tube, Reusable
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E923; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E921 Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Appa-
ratus
1.1 This specification describes requirements for a tube that
E1133 Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Labo-
measures the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). ESR is the
ratory Apparatus for United States Government Procure-
suspension stability of red cells in diluted, anti-coagulated
ments
human blood.
E1157 Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable
1.1.1 The use of the term “rate” is, strictly speaking, not
Laboratory Glassware
correct. The test measures the amount of settling of red cells
after a specified time.
3. Terminology
1.2 The tubes are used together with a special rack to ensure
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
they remain in a vertical position during the test.
3.1.1 reusable—capable of being used again.
1.3 This specification includes many dimensional require-
3.1.2 tube—the word “tube” rather than “pipet” is used to
ments that are, for the most part, in agreement with the British
describe this instrument. The word “pipet” should be reserved
Standards Institution, German Standards Institute, Interna-
for volume-measuring instruments thus designated. A tube
tional Committee for Standardization in Haematology, and the
used for measurements of blood sedimentation rate is not a
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards publi-
volume measuring instrument. In this connection, misunder-
cations on Westergren tubes. The clinical procedure using the
standing can occur when a Westergren “tube” is described as a
tube described in this specification is known as the “Wester-
“pipet.”
gren Method.”
3.1.3 Westergren—The surname of the individual respon-
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
sible for the design of the Westergren tube and the method of
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
use.
standard.
4. Classification
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 This specification covers a tube that is intended to be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
used until it is no longer considered functional for the purpose
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
intended.The specification is specifically written for a reusable
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
item and is not to be confused with a disposable tube that is
described in other published standards.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Materials
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 The tubes made to this specification shall be fabricated
E438 Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
from borosilicate glass, Type I, Class B; or soda lime glass,
E920 Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory
Type II, in accordance with Specification E438.
Apparatus
6. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations
6.1 Design—The Westergren tube shall be made of thick-
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E41 on
walled glass tubing. It shall be of one-piece construction,
Laboratory Apparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.01 on
Apparatus
straight and with uniform bore. The ends of the tube shall be
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2013. Published December 2013. Originally
ground flat, perpendicular to the tube axis and beveled as
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E923 – 97 (2008).
specified in Fig. 1.
DOI: 10.1520/E0923-97R13.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.2 Dimensions—The tube shall be made of tubing with an
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
outside diameter (OD) of 6.5 6 0.5 mm with an inside
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. diameter (ID) of 2.55 mm 6 0.15 mm. The uniformity of the
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E923−97 (2013)
FIG. 1 Westergren Tube
bore shall be 6 0.1 mm throughout the tube. The tube shall be routine functional use of the tube without creating a difficulty
30061mmlongandgroundand beveledateachend.Thetube in setting a meniscus or reading the separation of blood cells
shall have an
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