IntelliFlow™Platelet Stabilization Tube · Human Cat. No. ZK202601 · 50 tubes / pack · Red cap
FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY · NOT FOR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

Platelet Stabilization Tube

Provides a validated pre-analytical solution for flow cytometric analysis of human platelet activation. The stabilization reagent halts further ex vivo platelet activation immediately after specimen transfer, preserving CD62P (P-selectin) and other surface glycoprotein epitopes in their state at the time of collection — addressing the sample-handling delays that published studies have shown to cause artifactual platelet activation in flow cytometry.

Product Features

Five core capabilities

  • Improved state stabilityInhibits platelet activation in vitro and maintains the platelet activation state present at the time of specimen collection.
  • Extended sample validityStable for 7 days at room temperature (22–28°C), enabling domestic multi-site collection and transport without cold chain. Also stable at 2–8°C for applications requiring refrigerated or international shipment.
  • Simple transfer workflowCollect a specimen into a standard 3.2% sodium citrate tube, then transfer 0.5 mL into the Stabilization Tube using a specimen transfer device. Gentle inversion to mix — no pipetting, no manual reagent addition.
  • Multi-scenario applicationsSuitable for research experiments, multi-center studies, and settings requiring extended storage or long-distance transport.
  • Simpler, safer handlingPre-filled and vacuum-sealed: during normal specimen transfer, the reagent stays enclosed, reducing routine open reagent-handling steps.
Scope of Application

Research settings

Research Laboratories

Sample preparation for platelet flow cytometry at research institutions and academic laboratories.

Research Platform

Platelet function research, drug screening, and sample processing for related research studies.

Multi-Center Projects

Standardized processing of samples requiring extended storage or transport across multiple collection sites.

Direction for Use

Workflow

1

Collect & Transfer

Collect a specimen into a standard 3.2% sodium citrate vacuum collection tube using standard venipuncture technique for research specimen collection. Within 5 minutes of collection, use a specimen transfer device to transfer specimen from the citrate collection tube into the Platelet Stabilization Tube. The tube vacuum is factory-calibrated to draw exactly 0.5 mL of specimen. Once the vacuum draw stops, do not force additional specimen into the tube.

2

Mix

Gently invert the tube 5 to 8 times to ensure thorough mixing of the specimen with the stabilization solution. Do not shake.

3

Store / Analyze

Store at room temperature (22–28°C) or refrigerated (2–8°C). Samples remain stable for up to 7 days under either condition. No cold chain required for shipping at room temperature; refrigerated conditions (2–8°C) suitable for applications requiring refrigerated or international shipment.

Important information: For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. Do not use for direct venipuncture — specimen transfer only. Wear appropriate PPE and follow institutional biosafety regulations. The specimen-to-additive ratio is critical — do not overfill or underfill. Do not open the tube cap prior to specimen transfer — vacuum loss will result in incorrect fill volume and unreliable results. Do not reuse the tube. Performance may vary due to individual sample differences and transit conditions.
Performance Characteristics · Fig. 1

CD62P stability over 7 days

Internal validation study. Venous specimens from healthy donors collected into 3.2% sodium citrate tubes, transferred into Platelet Stabilization Tubes, and monitored by multicolor flow cytometry at 22–28°C and 2–8°C. n = 10 healthy donors. SD <2%.

Fig 1A
Fig. 1A — 3.2% Citrate-Anticoagulated Venous Blood (Control). Progressive ex vivo activation reaching 41.4% (22–28°C) and 65.1% (2–8°C) by Day 7.
Fig 1B
Fig. 1B — With Platelet Stabilization Tube. CD62P⁺ remains ≤1.5% through Day 7 at both temperature conditions. SD <2%.
Fig 1C
Fig. 1C — ADP-Activated Platelets, Citrate Tube (Control). Signal drifts to 94.5% (22–28°C) and 89.5% (2–8°C) by Day 7.
Fig 1D
Fig. 1D — ADP-Activated Platelets with Platelet Stabilization Tube. Activated signal stable at ~71–74% through Day 7 under both conditions.
Performance Characteristics · Fig. 2

CD62P scatter plots — representative sample

Multicolor flow cytometry. CD61/SSC gating followed by CD62P-PE vs CD61-APC analysis. Select a figure to view. Click thumbnails to switch between panels.

Fig. 2B — 3.2% Citrate + Platelet Stabilization Tube

CD62P remains below 1.1% through Day 7 at both temperatures. The platelet cloud stays entirely in the CD62P-negative quadrant — indistinguishable from the baseline reading.

0.78%
0h baseline
1.08%
Day 7 · 4°C
0.98%
Day 7 · 25°C
Fig. 2B (3.2% Citrate + Platelet Stabilization Tube) — panel a — CD61/SSC Gate · CD61+ = 6.25%
a — CD61/SSC Gate · CD61+ = 6.25%
Fig. 2B (3.2% Citrate + Platelet Stabilization Tube) — panel b — 0h · CD62P⁺ = 0.78%
b — 0h · CD62P⁺ = 0.78%
Fig. 2B (3.2% Citrate + Platelet Stabilization Tube) — panel c — Day 7 / 4°C · CD62P⁺ = 1.08%
c — Day 7 / 4°C · CD62P⁺ = 1.08%
Fig. 2B (3.2% Citrate + Platelet Stabilization Tube) — panel d — Day 7 / 25°C · CD62P⁺ = 0.98%
d — Day 7 / 25°C · CD62P⁺ = 0.98%

Fig. 2A — 3.2% Citrate-Anticoagulated Venous Specimen (Control)

Progressive ex vivo activation clearly visible. By Day 7, the CD62P-positive cloud has expanded dramatically — the sample no longer reflects the donor's in vivo platelet state.

3.25%
0h baseline
56.07%
Day 7 · 4°C
31.54%
Day 7 · 25°C
Fig. 2A (3.2% Citrate-Anticoagulated Venous Specimen (Control)) — panel a — CD61/SSC Gate · CD61+ = 5.15%
a — CD61/SSC Gate · CD61+ = 5.15%
Fig. 2A (3.2% Citrate-Anticoagulated Venous Specimen (Control)) — panel b — 0h · CD62P⁺ = 3.25%
b — 0h · CD62P⁺ = 3.25%
Fig. 2A (3.2% Citrate-Anticoagulated Venous Specimen (Control)) — panel c — Day 7 / 4°C · CD62P⁺ = 56.07%
c — Day 7 / 4°C · CD62P⁺ = 56.07%
Fig. 2A (3.2% Citrate-Anticoagulated Venous Specimen (Control)) — panel d — Day 7 / 25°C · CD62P⁺ = 31.54%
d — Day 7 / 25°C · CD62P⁺ = 31.54%

Fig. 2D — ADP-Activated Platelets + Platelet Stabilization Tube

The tube locks in the activation state present at time of transfer. ADP-activated signal stable at ~72% through Day 7 at both temperatures — no drift.

72.32%
0h baseline
71.66%
Day 7 · 4°C
72.36%
Day 7 · 25°C
Fig. 2D (ADP-Activated Platelets + Platelet Stabilization Tube) — panel a — CD61/SSC Gate · CD61+ = 2.45%
a — CD61/SSC Gate · CD61+ = 2.45%
Fig. 2D (ADP-Activated Platelets + Platelet Stabilization Tube) — panel b — 0h · CD62P⁺ = 72.32%
b — 0h · CD62P⁺ = 72.32%
Fig. 2D (ADP-Activated Platelets + Platelet Stabilization Tube) — panel c — Day 7 / 4°C · CD62P⁺ = 71.66%
c — Day 7 / 4°C · CD62P⁺ = 71.66%
Fig. 2D (ADP-Activated Platelets + Platelet Stabilization Tube) — panel d — Day 7 / 25°C · CD62P⁺ = 72.36%
d — Day 7 / 25°C · CD62P⁺ = 72.36%

Fig. 2C — ADP-Activated Platelets, Citrate Tube (Control)

ADP-activated platelets in standard citrate continue to drift upward — from 81.9% at baseline to 93.71% at Day 7 / 4°C. The activation state is not preserved.

81.90%
0h baseline
93.71%
Day 7 · 4°C
91.93%
Day 7 · 25°C
Fig. 2C (ADP-Activated Platelets, Citrate Tube (Control)) — panel a — CD61/SSC Gate · CD61+ = 3.34%
a — CD61/SSC Gate · CD61+ = 3.34%
Fig. 2C (ADP-Activated Platelets, Citrate Tube (Control)) — panel b — 0h · CD62P⁺ = 81.90%
b — 0h · CD62P⁺ = 81.90%
Fig. 2C (ADP-Activated Platelets, Citrate Tube (Control)) — panel c — Day 7 / 4°C · CD62P⁺ = 93.71%
c — Day 7 / 4°C · CD62P⁺ = 93.71%
Fig. 2C (ADP-Activated Platelets, Citrate Tube (Control)) — panel d — Day 7 / 25°C · CD62P⁺ = 91.93%
d — Day 7 / 25°C · CD62P⁺ = 91.93%
Limitations
  • For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
  • Performance data established using specimens from healthy donors under standard research laboratory conditions. Performance in specimens from subjects with underlying platelet abnormalities, active coagulopathy, or anticoagulant therapy has not been independently evaluated in this study.
  • Designed to preserve platelets' basal activation status, protecting against the artifactual activation that begins once platelets leave the body. If agonist stimulation is required, agonist must be added to citrate-anticoagulated specimen prior to transfer into the Platelet Stabilization Tube.
  • Specimen must be transferred within 5 minutes of specimen collection. Do not open the tube cap prior to transfer — vacuum loss will result in incorrect fill volume.
Publications

Selected literature on platelet flow cytometry
pre-analytical standardization

The following publications highlight the scientific rationale for standardized platelet sample handling — the problem our product directly addresses.

CYTOMETRY PART B · 2025

Signal without noise: Practical antibody titration for platelet flow cytometry

Spurgeon BEJ et al.

Key insight: Standardizing sample handling under final assay conditions is critical for reproducibility — artifact introduced before analysis cannot be removed during data processing.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS · 2021

Consensus recommendations on flow cytometry for the assessment of inherited and acquired disorders of platelet number and function

Frelinger AL et al. — ISTH SSC

Key insight: 11 experts from 10 countries reached uniform agreement on instrument standardization, but 25.9% of pre-analytical variable statements were rated "uncertain" — pointing directly to the need for standardized preservation solutions.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS, THROMBOSIS, AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY · 2024

High-Dimensional Single-Cell Mass Cytometry Demonstrates Differential Platelet Functional Phenotypes in Infants With Congenital Heart Disease

Gu SX et al.

Key insight: High-parameter platelet phenotyping depends critically on sample handling quality — pre-analytical degradation limits the ability to distinguish true biological variation from artifact.

These publications are cited as background literature relevant to the pre-analytical challenges addressed by the Platelet Stabilization Tube. GENE TECH ENTS LTD is not affiliated with the authors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions

Must the specimen be transferred within 5 minutes?

Yes. Transfer from the citrate tube to the Platelet Stabilization Tube should occur within 5 minutes of collection to minimize ex vivo platelet activation before stabilization.

How should filled tubes be shipped?

Filled tubes can be shipped at ambient temperature (22–28°C) for up to 7 days, or at 2–8°C for refrigerated or international shipment. Ship filled tubes according to institutional policies, carrier requirements, and applicable regulations based on the specimen risk assessment. Use leak-proof secondary containers and absorbent material.

Can I use any flow cytometer?

Yes. The Platelet Stabilization Tube is compatible with all major flow cytometer platforms and antibody vendors including BD Biosciences and Beckman Coulter. No special instrument settings are required.

What happens if I overfill or underfill the tube?

The vacuum is factory-calibrated to draw exactly 0.5 mL. Overfilling or underfilling changes the specimen-to-additive ratio and may lead to suboptimal stabilization. Do not open the cap prior to transfer — vacuum loss will result in incorrect fill volume.

Specifications
Product namePlatelet Stabilization Tube
Catalog numberZK202601
FormatStandard vacuum tube · laboratory-grade glass · red cap
Transfer volume0.5 mL specimen · specimen-to-additive ratio 1:1
Dimensions8 ±0.5 mm OD × 75 ±2.0 mm length
Shelf life (unopened)24 months at 22–28°C · Do not freeze · Protect from direct sunlight
Post-transfer stability7 days at 22–28°C (room temperature) or 2–8°C (refrigerated)
Package size50 tubes per pack
CompatibilityAll major flow cytometers · BD Biosciences · Beckman Coulter · all major antibody vendors
Regulatory status (US)For Research Use Only · Not for use in diagnostic procedures
LabelingEnglish labeling · English Instructions for Use (IFU)