Microcatheters are made of different materials and connection types with certain size and length. Our catalog numbers are encoded in a pattern that reflects the key characters of a microcatheter, which conforms to a formula of "Material name + Connection type + tubing O.D. + tubing I.D. + tubing Length". Abbreviations are used in catalog number coding, wherein PE stands for polyethylene, PI for polyimide, PU for polyurethane, TF for teflon, VN for vinyl, FL for female luer, SC1 for one-way stopcock, and SC4 for four-way stopcock. For example, "PE-FL-254-127-150" stands for a Polyethylene microcatheter connected to a female Luer lock for receiving a male Luer syringe, tubing O.D. is 0.254 mm, I.D. is 0.127 mm, and tubing length is 150 mm.
Tubing material
Different tubing materials have different physical properties. For a given O.D. and wall thickness, PI has the highest hardness and the best pushability among all tubing materials listed here, whilst SL is the most flexible one. The sequence of hardness from high to low is: PI>TF>PE>VN>PU. For a material with uniform hardness, the tubing pushability and stiffness increase when tubing size become larger. Moderate pushability and flexibility can be achieved with either smaller size of PI and TF tubings or larger size of PU tubings. Very thin wall can be achieved with PI material, therefore, it provides the finest microcather with excellent pushability. PU material reduces the chance of intravascular thrombosis. All materials can be sterilized by ethylene oxide.
Connection type
Microcatheters can be provided with female luer connection or stopcock connection depending on your experimental needs. |
