ASTM E923-97(2003)
(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 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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Designation: E 923 – 97 (Reapproved 2003)
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. Terminology
1.1 This specification describes requirements for a tube that 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
measures the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). ESR is the 3.1.1 reusable—capable of being used again.
suspension stability of red cells in diluted, anti-coagulated 3.1.2 tube—the word “tube” rather than “pipet” is used to
human blood. describe this instrument. The word “pipet” should be reserved
1.1.1 The use of the term “rate” is, strictly speaking, not for volume-measuring instruments thus designated. A tube
correct. The test measures the amount of settling of red cells used for measurements of blood sedimentation rate is not a
after a specified time. volume measuring instrument. In this connection, misunder-
1.2 The tubes are used together with a special rack to ensure standing can occur when a Westergren “tube” is described as a
they remain in a vertical position during the test. “pipet.”
1.3 This specification includes many dimensional require- 3.1.3 Westergren—The surname of the individual respon-
ments that are, for the most part, in agreement with the British sible for the design of the Westergren tube and the method of
Standards Institution, German Standards Institute, Interna- use.
tional Committee for Standardization in Haematology, and the
4. Classification
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards publi-
cations on Westergren tubes. The clinical procedure using the 4.1 This specification covers a tube that is intended to be
used until it is no longer considered functional for the purpose
tube described in this specification is known as the “Wester-
gren Method.” intended.The specification is specifically written for a reusable
item and is not to be confused with a disposable tube that is
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the described in other published standards.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Materials
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.1 The tubes made to this specification shall be fabricated
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
from borosilicate glass, Type I, Class B; or soda lime glass,
2. Referenced Documents
Type II, in accordance with Specification E 438.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 6. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations
E 438 Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
6.1 Design—The Westergren tube shall be made of thick-
E 920 Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory
walled glass tubing. It shall be of one-piece construction,
Apparatus
straight and with uniform bore. The ends of the tube shall be
E 921 Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Appa-
ground flat, perpendicular to the tube axis and beveled as
ratus
specified in Fig. 1.
E 1133 Practice for PerformanceTesting of Packaged Labo-
6.2 Dimensions—The tube shall be made of tubing with an
ratory Apparatus for United States Government Procure-
outside diameter (OD) of 6.5 6 0.5 mm with an inside
ments
diameter (ID) of 2.55 mm 6 0.15 mm. The uniformity of the
E 1157 Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable
bore shall be 6 0.1 mm throughout the tube. The tube shall be
Laboratory Glassware
30061mmlongandgroundand beveledateachend.Thetube
shall have an inscribed graduated scale extending over the
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E41 on
lower 200 6 0.35 mm of the tube. The tube should contain
Laboratory Apparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.01 on
approximately 1 mL of blood when filled and adjusted to the
Glass Apparatus.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1997. Published February 1998. Originally
published as E 923 – 83. Last previous edition E 923 – 93.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 14.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E 923 – 97 (2003)
FIG. 1 Westergren Tube
200 mm line. The word “Westergr
...
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