Laboratory Specimen Containers
Specimen containers for hospital and reference laboratories - sterile and non-sterile screw-cap cups, leak-resistant transport containers, prefilled formalin histology jars and graduated collection cups from Simport, Globe Scientific, Medline and Cardinal Health. Stocked in capacities from small 20 mL screw-cap vials through large 4-liter 24-hour containers, in polypropylene and polystyrene, with tamper-evident and leak-resistant closures. Wholesale case pricing for hospitals, surgery centers, pathology labs and clinical procurement.
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Specimen Containers for Sample Handling and Transport
Specimen containers are the primary vessel that holds a sample between collection and analysis. The catalog groups sterile and non-sterile cups, leak-resistant screw-cap containers, prefilled fixative jars and large-volume collection vessels by capacity, material and closure type. Container selection is tracked in the laboratory formulary because leak integrity, sterility grade and closure compatibility all affect specimen acceptance at accessioning.
Specimen Container Formats Stocked
- Sterile screw-cap containers - Individually wrapped sterile cups in 20 mL through 120 mL capacities for urine, sputum and sterile body fluids, with leak-resistant screw closures.
- Non-sterile specimen cups - Bulk-packed graduated cups for chemistry, gross specimens and general collection where sterility is not required.
- Prefilled formalin containers - Histology jars prefilled with 10% neutral buffered formalin in matched specimen-to-fixative ratios, from small biopsy vials to large tissue containers.
- Leak-resistant transport containers - Screw-cap containers with gasketed or O-ring closures that hold integrity through pneumatic tube and courier transport.
- Large-volume collection containers - 3-liter and 4-liter 24-hour urine containers with wide-mouth openings and secure lids, supplied plain or with preservative.
Container Capacity and Material Overview
| Container Type | Capacity Range | Material | Sterility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screw-cap specimen cup | 20 - 120 mL | Polypropylene | Sterile and non-sterile |
| Histology fixative jar | 20 mL - 1 L | Polypropylene | Non-sterile, prefilled |
| Leak-resistant transport container | 60 - 90 mL | Polypropylene | Sterile |
| 24-hour urine container | 3 - 4 L | Polyethylene | Non-sterile |
| Biopsy transport vial | 5 - 20 mL | Polypropylene | Non-sterile, prefilled |
Closure and Leak Integrity
Closure design separates a transport-grade container from a basic sample cup. Leak-resistant containers in this category use gasketed screw caps or O-ring seals that hold liquid integrity through pneumatic tube systems and courier transport, which reduces specimen rejection and biohazard exposure at receiving. Sterile containers are supplied individually sealed with tamper-evident features, and prefilled formalin containers are packaged to keep the fixative sealed until the specimen is added.
Specimen containers are a repeating consumable in every laboratory that accessions urine, tissue or body fluid samples, and consumption scales directly with test volume across chemistry, microbiology and pathology. Because container leak failures drive specimen rejection and rework, materials management teams keep sterile cups, formalin jars and transport containers on standing orders sized to draw and accessioning volume. Order at the best Wholesale Prices with MAP Medical.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between sterile and non-sterile specimen containers?
Sterile containers are individually wrapped and validated free of viable organisms, which is required for urine cultures, sterile body fluids and any sample where a contaminating organism would confound the result. Non-sterile containers are bulk-packed and used for chemistry and gross specimens where sterility does not affect the analyte. The catalog stocks both grades so a laboratory can match container to test type.
What sizes of specimen containers are stocked?
Screw-cap specimen cups are stocked from 20 mL through 120 mL, biopsy and histology vials from 5 mL through 1 liter, and large 24-hour urine containers in 3-liter and 4-liter capacities. Wide-mouth and standard-mouth openings are available, and containers are supplied in polypropylene for chemical resistance or polyethylene for large collection vessels.
Are prefilled formalin specimen containers available?
Yes. Histology containers prefilled with 10% neutral buffered formalin are stocked in a range of capacities from small biopsy vials to large tissue jars, packaged in matched specimen-to-fixative ratios. Prefilled containers reduce formalin handling at the point of collection and ship with sealed closures that keep the fixative contained until the specimen is added.
Can hospitals order specimen containers in bulk?
Yes. Specimen containers are stocked in case and pallet quantities for hospitals, reference laboratories, surgery centers, pathology labs and licensed distributors. Standing order programs are available for high-velocity SKUs such as sterile 90 mL urine cups and formalin-prefilled histology jars. Contact our procurement team for tiered case pricing and standing order setup.
What specimen containers should be in a laboratory formulary?
A core container formulary typically includes sterile screw-cap urine cups in 90 mL and 120 mL, non-sterile graduated cups for general collection, formalin-prefilled histology jars in small and large capacities, leak-resistant transport containers for pneumatic tube systems, and 3-liter or 4-liter 24-hour urine containers. MAP Medical builds consolidated container packages matched to laboratory type and specimen volume - contact our team for an assessment.