ESR System Accessories

What are ESR System Accessories?

ESR system accessories are the racks, stands, pipettes, funnels, leveling platforms, and sealing clay items required to perform the Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test at the bench. While the ESR test itself measures red blood cell sedimentation over 60 minutes, the accuracy of the result depends entirely on the precision of the supporting accessories: the pipette must be held at exactly 0–2° of vertical, the rack must rest on a leveled surface free from vibration, and the vial seal must prevent both evaporation and aerosol escape. 

What You Will Find

• 10-Place ESR Rack – Vertical support clamps for perfectly aligned, error-free readings.

• Acrylic Leveling Platform – Adjustable feet and bubble level for a guaranteed flat testing surface.

• ESR Transfer Pipettes – Specialized tools for controlled, mess-free blood handling.

• Piercing Funnels – Engineered for safe, splash-proof sample access and faster workflows.

• Polystyrene Racks – High-durability holders for routine lab organization and sample stability.

How to Choose ESR System Accessories

Rack Type and Tube Capacity
ESR racks hold Westergren pipettes in a perfectly vertical position for the full 60-minute incubation. The Sedi-Rate™ rack (Globe Scientific catalog 3452) uses support clamps that hold polystyrene pipettes (graduated 0–180 mm) vertically within ±2°, accommodating standard batch sizes of 10–20 samples. When used in conjunction with the acrylic leveling platform (catalog 3459), the rack delivers the vertical alignment mandated by ICSH. Racks made from polycarbonate (PC) are vibration-resistant and suitable for high-traffic clinical bench environments.

ESR Pipettes: Self-Zeroing vs. Manual Fill
The Sedi-Rate™ polystyrene pipette features a unique fibrous plug at the zero mark (0 mm) that auto-zeroes blood draw while acting as a self-sealing aerosol barrier, preventing hazardous substances from escaping through the top. This eliminates the manual zeroing step and the open-tube aspiration required by glass Westergren tubes, reducing biohazard exposure. Manual glass Westergren tubes (300 mm, 2.5 mm bore) require separate zeroing with a bulb or aspirator and are the ICSH reference format, but involve open-tube blood handling.

Vials and Self-Sealing Stoppers
The Sedi-Rate™ PP vial has a patented self-sealing stopper that is pierced by a transfer pipette or funnel for blood loading, then reseals to contain the specimen. This closed-vial format reduces aerosol risk versus open glass tube loading. The vial accommodates 1.6 mL of sodium citrate-anticoagulated blood loaded through the stopper without opening the tube.

Leveling Platform
Accurate ESR results require the pipette to be vertical to within ±2° and the bench surface to be vibration-free and level. The acrylic leveling platform (catalog 3459) fits under the Sedi-Rate™ rack and has adjustable feet and a bubble level indicator to confirm proper surface leveling before the 60-minute incubation begins. Temperature during incubation must be 18–25 °C; placing the rack near centrifuges, heating units, or air conditioning vents introduces thermal artifacts.

Starter Kit vs. Individual Components
The Sedi-Rate™ Westergren Starter Kit (Globe Scientific) includes 100 test kits (vials + pipettes), one rack, one leveling support, and a set of funnels — the fastest way to set up a new ESR testing station. Individual accessory reorders (pipettes, vials, racks, funnels, sealing clay) are available separately for established labs restocking consumable components.

Specifications Context

The Sedi-Rate™ system uses polystyrene pipettes graduated from 0 to 180 mm, compatible with the ICSH modified Westergren method for EDTA-anticoagulated blood diluted 4:1 with 0.85% saline. Rack support holes hold pipettes vertically within ±2°, the maximum permitted deviation per ICSH guidelines; deviation beyond ±2° increases ESR by up to 30% at 5° tilt. The self-sealing stopper in Sedi-Rate™ vials eliminates aerosol exposure during blood loading, consistent with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030 requirements for engineering controls to eliminate or minimize blood exposure. The Globe Scientific Sedi-Rate™ system is the primary ESR accessory line carried by MBP, alongside individual capillary tube sealing clay (catalog 5162).

To get the right ESR system accessories for your setup, reach out to the MBP team for specifications, compatibility guidance, and ordering support.