Hematocrit tube cutter

[christyn]

Is there a device to facilitate cutting hematocrit tubes? I am interested in how others go about the process.

[khalidm3]

In Blood Bank, in routine, we stopped all disposable glasswares including slide blood grouping other than slides for Malaria. Long ago in hematology I was used to borrow cutter from Pharmacy, the one supplied with glass ampules by some manufacturers.

[ksmith]

The last facility I worked at, we still used glass microhematocrit tubes for cell separations. We went to the local hardware store and purchased a small 3 sided metal file. The edge worked well to score the glass. If you apply too much pressure when you slice the glass, it may shatter.

[christyn]

Thanks to both who responded.

[Mabel Adams]

If you are old enough in this business you will remember the little saws we all kept in our pockets (right in there with the ****** tubes, right?). I am sure I have one in my stuff somewhere. Anyway, the file should work fine since I doubt you can get the little saws anymore.

[adiescast]

We always used a file.

[Mabel Adams]

Interesting the words this site censors. I guess s-u-c-ker tubes are taboo.

[adiescast]

Yep and lots of body part words also. I see that, as a good hacker, you found a way around the obstacle.

[Ruth Hugeback]

Instead of a fancy tool, you can use the edge of a glass slide to score the tube. That worked well with glass hematocrit tubes. I just tested it on a plastic hematocrit tube and it works - with a little effort.

[Mabel Adams]

Well, aren't you smart, Ruth. Wish I'd have thought of that. The old saws didn't work too well on the mylar coated tubes either but they did work. I don't think I tried it on plastic.