Via a catheter, ALZET® Osmotic Pumps can deliver substances into vessels, spinal cord, cerebral ventricles and brain parenchyma, and other organs or tissues. DURECT Corporation offers a range of specialized catheters, compatible with ALZET pumps, to enable targeted delivery to a variety of sites. ALZET pumps can be attached to catheter tubing with I.D ranging from 0.58 mm to 0.76 mm (0.023″-0.030″).

Polyethylene (PE) and Vinyl Tubing

Medical grade PE and Vinyl tubing, the most common catheter types used in laboratory animal research, are available individually packaged, and ready to use.

Features
  • Ethylene-oxide sterilized
  • Medical grade
  • Pre-cut to 15 cm lengths
  • Individually packaged
  • Ready to use
  • Fit all pump models

PE and Vinyl Tubing Specifications

ALZET Specialized Catheters

These catheters are specifically designed for use with any ALZET pump model, with the distal end customized for a specific target (intravenous, intrathecal, intraperitoneal) and animal species (mouse and rat). These catheters incorporate useful features, such as retention beads or suture patches to facilitate placement and stabilization in a vessel or tissue. For added convenience, they are available ETO sterilized and individually packaged. Click here for information about compatibility of ALZET specialized catheters with various solutions/vehicles.

Rat Jugular Catheter

Rat Jugular Catheter

Order No.: 0007710

Catheter Material: Silicone

Specifications:

15.2 cm total length. Distal tip: 3 Fr. Internal catheter volume is ~32-36 μl.

Optimum Animal Size:

250+ grams (for <250 gram rats, cut tip to size for proper placement)

Features & Benefits:

  • Silicone suture patch facilitates anchoring to tissue
  • Silicone material is very flexible and less traumatic to vessels
  • Bevel tip if desired for easier insertion into vessels
  • ALZET connection for tight fit to pump

Rat Femoral Catheter

Rat Femoral Catheter

Order No.: 0007720

Catheter Material: Polyurethane (PU)

Specifications:

20.3 cm total length. Distal tip: 3 Fr. Internal catheter volume is ~59 μl.

Optimum Animal Size:

Up to 300+ grams (for <175 gram rats, cut tip to size for proper placement)

Features & Benefits:

  • Retention beads at 3.8, 5.1, and 7.6 cm from the tip facilitate anchoring to tissue
  • Designed for intravenous cannulation
  • Medical grade polyurethane softens at body temperature
  • Fits directly to pump (no step-up needed)

Rat Femoral Catheter (Tapered)

Rat Femoral Catheter

Order No.: 0007730

Catheter Material: Radio-opaque Polyurethane

Specifications:

20.3 cm total length. Distal tip: 3 Fr. Internal catheter volume is ~59 μl.

Optimum Animal Size:

Up to 300+ grams (for <175 gram rats, cut tip to size for proper placement)

Features & Benefits:

  • Retention beads at 3.8, 5.1, and 7.6 cm from the tip facilitate anchoring to tissue
  • Medical grade, tapered polyurethane minimizes kinking
  • Radio-opaque material and smooth surface minimize clotting
  • Lumen maintains consistent ID, so that the catheter can be shortened without compromising its tight fit onto pump

Rat Intrathecal Catheter

Rat Intrathecal Catheter

Order No.: 0007740

Catheter Material: Polyurethane (PU)

Specifications:

24.2 cm total length. Distal tip: approximately 10 cm, 1 Fr. Internal catheter volume is ~20 μl.

Optimum Animal Size:

Up to 300+ grams (cut distal end to desired length for proper placement)

Features & Benefits:

  • Designed for occipital insertion
  • Includes a Teflon coated stylet for easier placement
  • Protected tubing junction minimizes kinking at exit point from intrathecal space
  • ALZET connection provides tight fit to pump

Rat Intrathecal Catheter (Short)

Order No.: 0007741

Catheter Material: Polyurethane (PU)

Specifications:

15 cm total length. Distal tip: 10 cm, 1 Fr. Internal catheter volume is ~10-11 μl.

Optimum Animal Size:

Up to 300+ grams (cut distal end to desired length for proper placement)

Features & Benefits:

  • Shorter length for lumbar insertion
  • Includes a Teflon coated stylet for easier placement
  • Protected tubing junction minimizes kinking at exit point from intrathecal space
  • ALZET connection gives tight fit to pump

Rat Intraperitoneal Catheter

Rat Intrathecal Catheter

Order No.: 0007770

Catheter Material: Silicone and Polyurethane (PU)

Specifications:

8 cm total length.  Silicone distal tip: 5 cm, 3 Fr; PU: 3 cm. Internal catheter volume is ~19 μl.

Applications:

  • Peritoneal/Gastric delivery
  • Peritoneal delivery via subcutaneous pump
  • Easier pump replacement
  • Use larger SC pump for IP delivery in small rats

Features & Benefits:

  • Fenestrations over silicone tip for greater drug distribution
  • Movable suture bead for optimum adjustment of the inserted catheter section
  • Flexible silicone section minimizes tissue trauma
  • Polyurethane section provides optimum fit to all ALZET pump models; can be cut to desired length
  • Stress relief catheter junction prevents kinking and improves patency

Mouse Jugular Catheter

Mouse Jugular Catheter

Order No.: 0007700

Catheter Material: Polyurethane (PU)

Specifications:

9 cm total length. Distal tip: 1.3 cm, 1 Fr. Internal catheter volume is ~10 μl.

Optimum Animal Size:

30+ grams (insertion marks for adaptation to smaller animals)

Features & Benefits:

  • Retention beads at 1.3 and 3.8 cm from the tip facilitate anchoring to tissue
  • ALZET connection for tight fit to all pump models
  • Catheter tip optimum for use with other small vessels (e.g., femoral, carotid, etc.)
  • Marked at 0.9 and 1.1 cm to simplify adaptation for <25 and 25-30 gram animals respectively

Mouse Jugular Catheter (Adjustable Length)

Mouse Jugular Catheter (Adjustable Length)

Order No.: 0007701

Catheter Material: Polyurethane (PU)

Specifications:

8.9 cm total length. Distal tip: 1.3 cm, 1 Fr. Internal catheter volume is ~18 μl.

Optimum Animal Size:

30+ grams (insertion marks for adaptation to smaller animals)

Features & Benefits:

  • ALZET connection can be trimmed to achieve smaller lengths
  • Catheter tip optimum for use with other small vessels (e.g., femoral, carotid, etc.)
  • Retention beads at 1.3 and 3.5 cm from the tip facilitate anchoring to tissue
  • Marked at 0.9 and 1.1 cm to simplify adaptation for <25 and 25-30 gram animals respectively

Mouse Jugular Catheter (Adjustable Length-Large Tip)

Order No.: 0007702

Catheter Material: Polyurethane (PU)

Specifications:

9.5 cm total length. Distal tip: 4.4 cm, 2.5 Fr. Internal catheter volume is ~20 μl.

Optimum Animal Size:

30+ grams (insertion marks for adaptation to smaller animals)

Features & Benefits:

  • ALZET connection can be trimmed to achieve smaller lengths
  • Catheter tip optimum for jugular cannulation
  • Retention beads at 1.3 and 3.5 cm from the tip facilitate anchoring to tissue
  • Marked at 0.9 and 1.1 cm to simplify adaptation for <25 and 25-30 gram animals respectively

Mouse Intrathecal Catheter

Mouse Intrathecal Catheter

Order No.: 0007743

Catheter Material: Polyurethane

Specifications:

6 cm total length. Distal tip: 2.8 cm, 0.75 Fr. Internal catheter volume is ~8.6 μl.

Optimum Animal Size:

Adult mouse

Features & Benefits:

  • ALZET connection can be trimmed
  • Includes a Teflon coated stylet for easier placement
  • ALZET connection provides tight fit to any ALZET pump

Mouse Intraperitoneal Catheter

Mouse Intraperitoneal Catheter

Order No.: 0007771

Catheter Material: Silicone and Polyurethane (PU)

Specifications:

6 cm total length. Silicone distal tip: 3 cm, 3 Fr; PU: 3 cm. Internal catheter volume is ~15 μl.

Optimum Animal Size:

Adult mouse

Features & Benefits:

  • Fenestrations over silicone tip for greater drug distribution
  • Movable suture bead for optimum adjustment of inserted catheter section
  • Flexible silicone catheter minimizes trauma
  • Polyurethane ALZET connection for easy attachment to ALZET pump
  • Stress relief catheter junction prevents catheter kinking and improves patency
  • ALZET connection can be trimmed to desired length

Catheter Applications with ALZET Osmotic Pumps

  • Direct delivery of test agents into any target tissue or organ
  • Delay delivery of test agents to allow for a surgical recovery period
  • Infuse for a shorter period using a longer duration pump
  • Infuse a smaller volume of solution
  • Create a time-patterned delivery of an agent

Note: No catheter is necessary when systemic delivery is desired. This is accomplished by subcutaneous or intraperitoneal implantation of an ALZET pump without a catheter.

Common Routes of Administration Requiring Use of a Catheter

  • Articular cavity
  • Blood vessels
  • Bone
  • Brain (solid tissue)
  • Brain (ventricles)
  • Ear
  • Eye
  • Muscle
  • Nerves
  • Spinal cord
  • Stomach
  • Tumors

*All specialized catheters are supplied ETO sterilized