Catheters
Built from the same thermoplastic polyurethane used in human catheters, so materials stay consistent between your preclinical and clinical work. Twenty-nine years of custom catheter development behind every standard size.
Start here
Five catheter families. Pick the one closest to your model and the sizes, materials and part numbers are below.
TaperCath
Strength where you need it, flexibility where it matters. Tapered polyurethane with a rounded tip.
Large animal · 2-6 French
MouseCath
Stepped polyurethane and silicone, built for the problems of long-term catheterization in mice.
Mouse · stepped design
RatCath Taper
Smooth tapered radiopaque polyurethane. A larger lumen in a smaller vessel without the trauma.
Rat · radiopaque
Specialty catheters
CSFCath, SubQCath, DuoCath and BileCath. Built for access sites a standard catalog does not cover.
CSF, subQ, duodenal, bile
Bulk catheter tubing
Medical grade polyurethane and silicone tubing by the foot, in the same materials as the finished catheters.
By the footNot sure which fits? talk to an engineer or a surgeon before you write the protocol, or see what actually ends studies.
Stock items generally leave within five business days, custom builds in about two weeks.
TaperCath
A tapered wall profile: maximum wall thickness at the proximal end to resist kinking, thinning to an atraumatic polished tip. The taper allows the use of a universal port connector pin, which gives more flexibility before and during surgery.
- Smooth tapers for strength and flexibility
- Continuity with clinical catheter materials
- Rounded tips on every catheter
- Universal connections
Tapered designrounded tipradiopaque beads
| Size | Material | ID | OD | Length | Beads | Part no. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-6 French | Polyurethane | 0.5-1.0 mm | 0.94-1.9 mm | 60 cm | 4 & 5 cm from tip | TC-36 | Request |
| 4-6 French | Polyurethane | 0.5-1.0 mm | 0.94-1.9 mm | 60 cm | 10 & 11 cm from tip | TC-46 | Request |
| 6 French | Polyurethane | 1.0 mm | 1.9 mm | 60 cm | 15 & 16 cm from tip | TC-6 | Request |
AVACath external catheters
| Product | Materials | Sizes | Length | Connector | Modification | Part no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EX Cath ST | Radiopaque polyurethane | 3, 4, 6, 7 Fr | 60 cm | Female, male | Breakaway needle, guidewire, flash chamber | EXCST3 / 4 / 6 / 7 |
| TetherCath | Poly / silicone | Various | Various | Any type | Built to spec | Quote |
Modifications available
Custom extrusions, perfusion holes (spiral, offset, custom), tapered suture beads, DacronCurve femoral 180°, Dacron mesh, stepped connections, slit valves. Any of these become a permanent part number once built.
MouseCath
A stepped design gives a small flexible tip where it enters the vessel and a thicker, more manageable wall at the exit site. Solvent-polished tip for vessel-friendly insertion.
| Product | Materials | Sizes | Length | Connector | Modification | Part no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MouseCath Jugular | Polyurethane / silicone | 1 Fr, 2 Fr | 15 cm | CoilConnect plug | Beads, Dacron disk, CoilConnect | MCJ1 / MCJ2 |
| MouseCath Femoral | Polyurethane / silicone | 1 Fr | 15 cm | CoilConnect plug | Beads, Dacron disk, CoilConnect | MCF1 |
RatCath Taper
Tapered radiopaque polyurethane. Rounded tip for vessel-friendly insertion, thicker proximal wall for easier connection to ports, stub adaptors and tethers.
| Product | Materials | Sizes | Length | Connector | Part no. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RatCath Taper Jugular | Radiopaque polyurethane | 3 Fr, 4 Fr | 15 cm | CoilConnect plug | RCTJ34 | Request |
| RatCath Taper Femoral | Radiopaque polyurethane | 2 Fr, 4 Fr | 22 cm | CoilConnect plug | RCTF24 | Request |
Custom rat catheter program
Thousands of rat catheters built for just about every application. Custom extrusion sizes, materials including Pebax, PTFE and PFA, durometers from 30 to 90, and configurations for CSF, bile, subQ, IP, urinary and duodenal access.
Specialty catheters
| Product | Purpose | Material | ID | OD | Length | Part no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSFCath | CSF collection | Radiopaque polyurethane | 0.5-1.0 mm | 0.94-1.9 mm | 20 cm | CSF36 |
| CSFCath | CSF collection | Radiopaque polyurethane | 0.7-1.0 mm | 1.35-1.9 mm | 20 cm | CSF46 |
| SubQCath | Prolonged site-specific subcutaneous delivery | Polyurethane | 0.5-1.0 mm | 0.94-1.9 mm | 20 cm | SQ36 |
| SubQCath | Prolonged site-specific subcutaneous delivery | Polyurethane | 0.7-1.0 mm | 1.35-1.9 mm | 60 cm | SQ46 |
| DuoCath | Duodenal, slit or burp valve | Implant-grade silicone | 1.0 mm | 1.9 mm | 60 cm | DC6 |
| DuoCath | Duodenal | Silicone / polyurethane | 0.85 mm | 2.16 mm | 60 cm | DC7 |
| BileCath system | Bile collection in primates, dogs, swine | Polyurethane T-tube occluder | .040″ × .080″, legs 3 / 5 / 7 Fr | n/a | ABile-ALAT6 | |
The BileCath system ships with three low-profile Cath-In-Cath ports, the BileCath PU catheter, a 22 ga × 76 cm balloon filler and a 20 ga × ¾″ sampling set. Positive occlusion and total collection without over-pressuring the balloon.
Bulk catheter tubing
Human implant-grade materials for labs building their own catheters. Clean extrusions, smooth surface, 50 ft spools.
Polyurethane
| Size | ID | OD | Part no. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Fr | 0.15 mm | 0.33 mm | PU1 |
| 2 Fr | 0.33 mm | 0.64 mm | PU2 |
| 3 Fr | 0.58 mm | 0.91 mm | PU3 |
| 3.5 Fr | 0.69 mm | 1.20 mm | PU35 |
| 5 Fr | 1.02 mm | 1.65 mm | PU5 |
| 6 Fr | 1.20 mm | 1.9 mm | PU6 |
| 7 Fr | 1.65 mm | 2.41 mm | PU7 |
Platinum-cured silicone
| Size | ID | OD | Part no. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Fr | 0.15 mm | 0.33 mm | S1 |
| 2 Fr | 0.33 mm | 0.64 mm | S2 |
| 3 Fr | 0.58 mm | 0.91 mm | S3 |
| 3.5 Fr | 0.69 mm | 1.20 mm | S35 |
| 5 Fr | 1.02 mm | 1.65 mm | S5 |
| 6 Fr | 1.20 mm | 1.9 mm | S6 |
| 7 Fr | 1.65 mm | 2.41 mm | S7 |
Co-extruded PE / DEHP-free PVC tubing is also available for tether lines, giving maximum compatibility with easy bonding.
Every catheter, page by page
Full specifications and part numbers for each one.