Holder and transporter for fluid collecting tubes

A fluid collection tube holder and transporter for use in holding and transporting fluid collection tubes, comprising:

• a tube holder having an elongated body with a plurality of sleeves thereon for receiving and retaining a plurality of fluid collection tubes;
• said plurality of fluid collection tubes including a first end, an enlarged second end, and a cylindrical body therebetween;
• each of said plurality of sleeves including an inner surface having a plurality of contact edges extending inwardly for frictionally engaging an exterior side of said cylindrical body of one of said plurality of fluid collection tubes;
• said sleeves define a circumferential contact area between said inner surface of said sleeve and said exterior side of cylindrical body, said circumferential contact area between said inner surface and said cylindrical body is discontinuous when said tube is mounted in said sleeve;
• and,
• said plurality of edges defining an expandable inner circle circumscribing said plurality of contact edges wherein said inner circle expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter.

A blood collection tube holder and transporter for use in holding and transporting fluid collection tubes, comprising:

• a tube holder having an elongated body with a plurality of sleeves thereon for receiving and retaining a plurality of fluid collection tubes;
• said plurality of fluid collection tubes including a first end, an enlarged second end, and a cylindrical body therebetween;
• each of said plurality of sleeves including an inner surface having a plurality of contact edges extending inwardly for frictionally engaging an exterior side of said cylindrical body of one of said plurality of fluid collection tubes;
• said sleeves define a circumferential contact area between said inner surface of said sleeve and said exterior side of cylindrical body, said circumferential contact area between said inner surface and said cylindrical body is discontinuous when said tube is mounted in said sleeve;
• and,
• said circumferential contact area is between 45% and 85%.

A method of collecting fluid samples from a donor comprising the steps of:

• mounting a tube holder to a drawer's hand, said tube holder includes a flexible body having at least one sleeve thereon for receiving and securing at least one fluid collection tube, said tube holder is moveable about the hand;
• removing said at least one fluid collection tube from said holder and engaging a depositing needle, said needle is in communication with a fluid sample;
• filling said at least one fluid collection tube with the fluid sample;
• and,
• moving said at least one fluid collection tube away from said depositing needle and replacing said at least one fluid collection tube in said holder.