The Basics of Urine Specimen Collection: From Containers to Testing

Urinalysis SystemsIt is well-known that urine specimen collection is a common method that physicians utilize to ensure their patient’s health. For most people, giving a urine sample is a routine part of any physical. More than a measure of one’s health and well-being, it can be vital in diagnosing the presence or observing the condition of disease. For example, a urine test can show whether you may have diabetes or are suffering from a urinary tract infection. Urine specimen collection is also used to detect or monitor illegal drug use in many jobs, professions, and athletic competitions. Only blood samples are used more often than urine samples for analysis in clinical laboratories.

Because urine specimen collection plays an important role in clinical diagnostics, there is a concern for pre-analytical error of the specimens. Errors are difficult to detect. As is the case with any submission of clinical laboratory specimens, the clinical information acquired from urine specimens can be affected by the collection method, handling, transport, and length of time. To ensure the best possible results of a urine test, doctors’ offices and laboratories must have protocols in place for specimen collection and analysis.

Urine specimen collection methods vary according to the type of specimen required, which can influence results. The normal make-up of urine varies considerably throughout any twenty-four-hour period. Specimens that are randomly collected are not considered specimens of choice. More than likely, because of the random time of day, the specimen is not concentrated but is diluted by other fluids consumed throughout the day. Much like a blood draw, most doctors favor a first-morning urine specimen for a urinalysis and microscopic analysis. Its volume and concentration are more uniform, and a midstream clean-catch specimen at that is preferred. Starting and then stopping at midstream to catch the urine as the patient resumes micturating is recommended for microbiological cultures and other testing. In this way, the risk of incidence of cellular and microbial contamination is greatly reduced. In some instances, quantitative measurements of specimens are necessary and will require timed collection specimens. In all of these cases, handling and transport of the specimens to laboratories for testing is important to ensure the best results.

Once a specimen is collected, the physician may do a visual check to test for clarity or color. Healthy urine is clear and the color of pale straw without any visible sediment. Once the specimen is delivered to a laboratory, it will undergo thorough diagnostic testing. A dipstick test may be utilized initially. A thin plastic strip treated with different chemicals is dipped into your urine. Each chemical on the stick reacts and changes a different color if levels such as acidity or pH, white blood cells, glucose, or protein are present or above normal. Finally, a microscopic urinalysis checks for particles or sediment too small to be seen. White or red blood cells, bacteria, or crystal clumps of minerals should not be present in urine. These particles in the urine are signs of health issues. For example, such sediment in urine can be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI), or maybe a sign of kidney stones or bladder infections.

Microscopic urinalysis is undertaken by means of a urine sedimentation system. An important diagnostic laboratory tool, urine sedimentation systems are urinalysis disposables. Kits are manufactured in sizes and configurations, designed to test sediment in urine samples for clinical analysis.

Manufacturers of High-Quality Urine Specimen Collection Containers

Urine specimen collection allows for testing which can aid in determining one’s health or detect urinary or metabolic diseases such as diabetes or liver disease. At Biomedical Polymers, we manufacture a complete system that includes a 12 mL graduated polystyrene urine tube with a cap, 12 mL Super Tube produced from special polystyrene, the Decanting Pipette, and a 10 chamber acrylic slide with an integrated coverslip. If you have questions about ordering complete urine sedimentation systems, contact one of our experts.

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Plastic Products Catalog

BMP Medical is a quality manufacturer of plastic consumables and plastic products for research and medical diagnostic laboratories. Our products are manufactured to the highest quality standards. We offer a wide selection of products sold through the world’s premier laboratory distributors.

Non-Sterile and Sterile Centrifuge Bottles

  • Available with standard caps for low-speed work and sealing caps for high-speed applications
  • Caps have a built-in gripper to facilitate removal from the rotor
  • Extra thick walls for durability-resistant to most chemicals
  • Wide mouth design makes filling and decanting easier
These precision molded centrifuge bottles are available in polycarbonate or polypropylene. For low speed applications the bottles provide excellent value for large volume/large batch centrifugation procedures. For high-speed work, the easy-to-use Noryl® (Noryl® is a registered trademark of General Electric Company) sealing caps with silicone O-rings enable leak-free processing at high centrifugal forces over long durations. Bottles must be filled to 80% of capacity. Centrifuge bottles may be autoclaved at 121ºC at 15 psi for 20 minutes. Caps should be placed on the bottles without engaging the threads. Bottles are qualified to the rated g-forces using Sorvall® (Sorvall® is a registered trademark of Kendro Laboratory Products) and Fiberlite® (Fiberlite® is a registered trademark of Piramoon Technologies Inc.) high-speed rotors, tested at 20ºC, with bottles filled to 80% of capacity. Failure to use the correct rotor cushion or adapter will shorten the life of the bottle and may prevent achievement of the maximum rated RCF and/or bottle failure. Prolonged autoclaving and reuse may cause stress cracks, crazing or bottle discoloration.
centrifuge bottle
Sterile Centrifuge Bottles 
 
centrifuge bottle
Non-sterile Centrifuge Bottles

Cytology Funnels Category

BMP Medical Cytology Funnels for the Shandon CytoSpin® Centrifuge BMP Medical Cytology Funnels are the functional equivalent of the Thermo Shandon CytoFunnel®. Fully compatible with the Shandon CytoSpin Centrifuge, BMP Medical Cytology Funnels can be used to deposit a thin layer of cells in a clearly defined area of a microscope slide. The filter card absorbs any excess fluid. Operation is identical to those supplied by Shandon and easy-to-follow instructions are included in each pack. All products sold in case quantities only.


 

metal cytology funnel clip

Metal Cytology
Funnel Clips

Double Cytology Funnels

Double Cytology Funnels

Single Cytology Funnels

Single Cytology Funnels

Hemodrop Blood Dispenser

The Hemodrop is designed to reduce the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the Hematology laboratory. To prepare a manual differential smear, a drop of blood needs to be dispensed onto a glass slide from the specimen tube. Simply puncture the rubber stopper with the Hemodrop, and then invert and press gently onto the slide. A single drop of blood will be dispensed and the slide is ready. No more removing the stopper and manually putting a drop on the slide to test blood.  
hemodrop
Hemodrop

Multipurpose Containers

These high-quality non-graduated lab containers are designed for the collection, transport, and storage of specimens and samples. Tight fitting lids prevent leaks and odors. Ideal for storing biologically hazardous samples for terminal autoclaving before disposal. Molded from various materials. The stackable containers are resistant to freezing and boiling.

centrifuge

Translucent Multipurpose
Containers

 

Polypropylene Beakers

Polypropylene Beakers are resistant to most commonly used laboratory reagents, including a variety of strong acids, bases, and organic solvents, these high quality polypropylene beakers are the premier choice for scientific laboratory applications. All beakers are transparent for clear content visibility and graduated for easily estimating volumes. Molded-in pouring spouts, and a rolled lip, for a dripless working environment. Autoclavable to 121ºC ( 248ºF).
centrifuge
Polypropylene Beaker

Specimen Collection

For specimen collection and transport, this system provides disposable products for the convenient collection, delivery, and testing of urine specimens. A plastic cup is provided for specimen collection and the pressure sensitive patient identification labels have ample writing space. The lightweight transport rack is small and easy to carry yet provides space for up to 20 tubes with labels and caps. The tubes are made of sturdy polystyrene and are safe for centrifuging. The flared top permits the use of a midget urinometer ensuring a tight cap fit.   
centrifuge
Specimen Collection Kit
 

Tissue & Ultra Tissue Grinders

We offer two lines of tissue grinders for the clinical lab and research lab. The standard product is all plastic and is designed to grind softer tissues such as liver and spleen. The Ultra tissue grinder line has a vitrified tip and is designed for tougher material such as muscle or bone. Both lines are delivered sterile sealed Tyvek® (Tyvek® is a registered trademark of DuPont) package.

tissue grinder

Tissue Grinders

ultra tissue grinder

Ultra Tissue
Grinders

Urine Sedimentation System

BMP Medical, a manufacturer of diagnostic products, has a full line of urinalysis disposables. We offer the components separately, or in various kit sizes and configurations. The line is built around our 10-chambered Decislide which is made out of optically clear acrylic. It can take 10 individual samples on the same slide eliminating the need for a new slide for each sample.

 

Urine Sedimentation

Urine Sedimentation
System