The list below describes some of the basic modifications that can be made in the respective types of catheter tubing most often used in pre-clinical research. We offer the best materials available to the life science researcher PLUS an uncompromising dedication to quality workmanship PLUS years of experience performing rodent technical procedures all at an affordable price. Let us design the link connecting your animal model to research results!
Polyethylene (PE):
Ports, "step-down" tips, etc. can be fabricated by fusing lengths of PE of similar or closely similar diameters.
Proximal tip of the catheter can be tapered to reduce tip diameter for cannulation of very small blood vessels.
Distal tip of the catheter can be flared to allow for easier access to the catheter lumen with luer stubs, catheter plugs, etc.
Suture anchors can be incorporated directly into the catheter body without the addition of another component.
Proximal tip can be overlapped with silicon rubber tubing for a softer, more antithrombogenic tip.
Permenant, but flexible, curves or loops can be formed in the catheter body.
Silicon Rubber (SIL):
Perfusion holes or slits near the proximal tip of the catheter can be formed in most sizes.
Solid tips can be formed in most sizes.
Temporarily expandable, so material can be placed over larger diameter tubing such as PE to fabricate soft, more antithrombogenic catheter tips or suture anchors which don't require the use of adhesives.
Polyurethane (PU):
- Proximal tip can be rounded in most sizes to create a smooth, more antithrombogenic catheter tip, devoid of sharp edges.
- Proximal tip can be tapered to reduce tip diameter for cannulation of very small blood vessels.
- Distal tip can be flared to allow for easier access to the catheter lumen with luer stubs, catheter plugs, etc.
- Catheter can be coated with antithrombogenic or lubricious materials.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE):
- Most sizes can be connected to luer stubs with heat shrink tubing.