General guidance for selecting optimal microcathters for your needs
To select a microcatheter, you will need to know the size of vessel that you are going to catheterize. The principal is that the outer diameter of a microcatheter should be smaller than the vessel inner diameter. You may use the following chart as a guidance in determing the tubing O.D. of your microcatheter according to the animal body weight. Tubing length can be customized.
| Maximum microcatheter O.D. (mm) for artery cannulation |
| Body Weight (g) |
Femoral |
Tail
(upper 2/3) |
Carotid
(lower 2/3) |
Brachial |
| <15 |
0.136 |
0.136 |
0.327 |
0.127 |
| 15-20 |
0.159 |
0.159 |
0.382 |
0.127 |
| 20-25 |
0.205 |
0.205 |
0.491 |
0.164 |
| 25-30 |
0.250 |
0.250 |
0.600 |
0.200 |
| 30-35 |
0.275 |
0.295 |
0.660 |
0.220 |
| <200 |
0.328 |
0.328 |
0.590 |
0.262 |
| <200-250 |
0.369 |
0.369 |
0.664 |
0.295 |
| 250-280 |
0.434 |
0.434 |
0.782 |
0.348 |
| 280-330 |
0.500 |
0.500 |
0.900 |
0.400 |
| 330-400 |
0.598 |
0.598 |
1.077 |
0.479 |
| >400 |
0.656 |
0.656 |
1.180 |
0.525 |
Microcatheter Design and Customization: Our microcatheters are crafted from a variety of materials, each offering distinct properties to suit specific application needs, and are available with different types of connections. The unique coding system of our catalog numbers is designed to intuitively reflect the essential characteristics of each microcatheter. This system follows a specific formula: "Material Name + Connection Type + Tubing O.D. (Outer Diameter) + Tubing I.D. (Inner Diameter) + Tubing Length." We utilize abbreviations to streamline this coding process, where "PE" denotes polyethylene, "PI" stands for polyimide, "PU" signifies polyurethane, "TF" represents teflon, and "VN" indicates vinyl. Connection types are abbreviated as "FL" for female Luer, "SC1" for one-way stopcock, and "SC4" for four-way stopcock. For instance, the code "PE-FL-254-127-150" identifies a Polyethylene microcatheter with a female Luer lock, an O.D. of 0.254 mm, an I.D. of 0.127 mm, and a length of 150 mm.
Tubing Material Properties: The choice of tubing material critically influences the performance of a microcatheter. Polyimide (PI) is noted for its superior hardness and pushability, making it ideal for applications requiring firmness and precision. On the other end of the spectrum, Silicone (SL) offers unmatched flexibility. The materials rank in hardness from highest to lowest as follows: PI > TF > PE > VN > PU. Tubing pushability and stiffness are directly proportional to the size of the tubing; larger dimensions provide more pushability and stiffness. However, a balance between pushability and flexibility can be achieved through smaller PI and TF tubings or larger PU tubings. Notably, PI allows for very thin walls, facilitating the creation of microcatheters with exceptional pushability. Additionally, PU material is preferred for reducing intravascular thrombosis risks. All materials are compatible with ethylene oxide sterilization, ensuring safety and sterility.
Connection Options: We offer microcatheters with either a female Luer connection or a stopcock connection, catering to diverse experimental requirements. The choice of connection type enhances the versatility of our microcatheters, allowing for seamless integration into various setups and ensuring ease of use across a wide range of applications. Whether your work demands the straightforward simplicity of a female Luer connection or the advanced control provided by a one-way or four-way stopcock, our microcatheters are designed to meet your specific needs with precision and reliability.
This tailored approach ensures that our microcatheters not only meet but exceed the rigorous demands of medical and research professionals, offering customizable solutions that are as versatile as they are dependable.
