UNI-SEP Lymphocyte Seperation Tubes

INTRODUCTION

Density gradient centrifugation of whole blood on a polysucrose - sodium metrizoate medium is the method of choice for isolation of lymphocytes. The success of the procedure, i.e. the recovery of viable lymphocytes with the lowest proportion of contaminating granulocytes and erythrocytes, depends to a large extent on the careful layering of the blood sample onto the separation medium and the maintenance of a sharp interface between the two solutions prior to centrifugation. 

To this end UNI-SEP was developed. The UNI-SEP system allows the blood sample to be poured directly into the centrifuge tube with no special precautions required to prevent disruption of the polysucrose - sodium metrizoate layer. Thus, a large number of samples may be handled at the same time. The mechanism also reduces the length of centrifugation time required for separation of the lymphocytes.

PRINCIPLE

UNI-SEP products are sterile plastic centrifuge tubes containing a solution of 5.6% polysucrose and 9.6% sodium metrizoate (density 1.077 g/ml, osmolality 280 mOsm), which is sequestered in the bottoms of the tubes by one-way plastic inserts. Blood poured onto the insert does not disrupt the surface of the polysucrose - sodium metrizoate layer. During centrifugation the insert opens to permit mixing of the blood and polysucrose - sodium metrizoate. Aggregated red blood cells and granulocytes are sedimented to the bottom of the tube while the white blood cells migrate to the interface between the plasma and polysucrose - sodium metrizoate layers. They are readily identified as a discrete white band located above the plastic insert.

FILLING OF TUBES:

UNI-SEP: Comparison of major features with competing products

• It is a major time saver receiving the tubes with the separation medium already in place and the tubes ready for use.
• Tubes supplied without this medium need to have the medium added (supplied separately and at added cost) followed by a centrifugation step before use to displace the medium under the porous barrier before use.
• Our patented one-way barrier opens only under centrifugation and the monocyte fraction can be simply poured off after separation without fear of contamination by the trapped erythrocytes.

Product Documents
UNI-SEP Insert
UNI-SEP Comparison with competitors
UNI-SEP Brochure
UNI-SEP Unfilled Tubes Insert
UNI-SEP Schematic Instructions