Standard Specification for Glass Westergren Tube, Reusable

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, anticoagulated 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." Note-For packaging standards, choose among the following standards: Specification E920, Specification E921; Practice E1133, and Specification E1157.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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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Historical
Publication Date
31-Dec-1992
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM E923-97 - Standard Specification for Glass Westergren Tube, Reusable
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 923 – 97
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Specification for
Glass Westergen Tube, Reusable
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 923; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.1 reusable—capable of being used again.
3.1.2 tube—the word “tube” rather than “pipet” is used to
1.1 This specification describes requirements for a tube that
describe this instrument. The word “pipet” should be reserved
measures the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). ESR is the
for volume-measuring instruments thus designated. A tube
suspension stability of red cells in diluted, anti-coagulated
used for measurements of blood sedimentation rate is not a
human blood.
volume measuring instrument. In this connection, misunder-
1.1.1 The use of the term “rate” is, strictly speaking, not
standing can occur when a Westergren “tube” is described as a
correct. The test measures the amount of settling of red cells
“pipet.”
after a specified time.
3.1.3 Westergren—The surname of the individual respon-
1.2 The tubes are used together with a special rack to ensure
sible for the design of the Westergren tube and the method of
they remain in a vertical position during the test.
use.
1.3 This specification includes many dimensional require-
ments that are, for the most part, in agreement with the British
4. Classification
Standards Institution, German Standards Institute, Interna-
4.1 This specification covers a tube that is intended to be
tional Committee for Standardization in Haematology, and the
used until it is no longer considered functional for the purpose
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards publi-
intended. The specification is specifically written for a reusable
cations on Westergren tubes. The clinical procedure using the
item and is not to be confused with a disposable tube that is
tube described in this specification is known as the “Wester-
described in other published standards.
gren Method.”
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Materials
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.1 The tubes made to this specification shall be fabricated
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
from borosilicate glass, Type I, Class B; or soda lime glass,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Type II, in accordance with Specification E 438.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations
2. Referenced Documents
6.1 Design—The Westergren tube shall be made of thick-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
walled glass tubing. It shall be of one-piece construction,
E 438 Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
straight and with uniform bore. The ends of the tube shall be
E 920 Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory
ground flat, perpendicular to the tube axis and beveled as
Apparatus
specified in Fig. 1.
E 921 Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Appa-
6.2 Dimensions—The tube shall be made of tubing with an
ratus
outside diameter (OD) of 6.5 6 0.5 mm with an inside
E 1133 Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Labo-
diameter (ID) of 2.55 mm 6 0.15 mm. The uniformity of the
ratory Apparatus for United States Government Procure-
2 bore shall be 6 0.1 mm throughout the tube. The tube shall be
ments
3006 1 mm long and ground and beveled at each end. The tube
E 1157 Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable
2 shall have an inscribed graduated scale extending over the
Laboratory Glassware
lower 200 6 0.35 mm of the tube. The tube should contain
3. Terminology approximately 1 mL of blood when filled and adjusted to the
200 mm line. The word “Westergren” must be inscribed on the
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
top portion of the tube together with the maker’s or vendor’s
name or mark.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-41 on
6.3 Graduation Lines—The graduation lines shall be of
Laboratory Apparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E 41.01 on
uniform thickness with a maximum thickness of 0.25 mm for
Glass Apparatus.
etched and filled lines and 0.4 mm for amber stain lines that are
Curr
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