Instech SoloCath™ Animal Blood Sampling and Drug Delivery Catheters

Overview

Instech SoloCath™ animal catheters are precision-engineered, single-lumen, sterile, implantable vascular and extravascular access devices designed for chronic or acute in vivo studies in rodents. These catheters operate on the principle of controlled intravascular or perineural fluid delivery and serial blood sampling without repeated needle puncture—enabling longitudinal physiological monitoring, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profiling, and hemodynamic assessment in conscious, freely moving or restrained subjects. The proprietary rounded-tip geometry is validated to minimize endothelial trauma during insertion and indwelling use, supporting improved vessel patency and reduced thrombogenicity compared with beveled or squared-tip alternatives. Constructed from biocompatible, USP Class VI-certified materials—including medical-grade silicone, polyurethane (PU), and heparin-bonded polyurethane—the SoloCath™ platform ensures consistent mechanical performance, kink resistance, and long-term functional integrity under physiological shear stress and cyclic flexion.

Key Features

• Rounded distal tip design clinically demonstrated to reduce intimal injury and improve hemocompatibility in rat and mouse vasculature
• Material options include platinum-cured silicone (for flexibility and chronic implantation), thermoplastic polyurethane (for enhanced tensile strength and trackability), and heparin-coated PU (for extended antithrombotic efficacy)
• Precision-dimensioned lumen IDs (0.008–0.035 in / 0.20–0.89 mm) matched to standard rodent vessel anatomy and infusion pump compatibility
• Integrated radiopaque markers (e.g., barium sulfate–loaded segments) available on select arterial and intrathecal models for fluoroscopic verification of placement
• Customizable features: pre-attached Luer-lock hubs, integrated collars for suture stabilization, stylet compatibility (e.g., 32-gauge stainless steel for intrathecal models), and length-tuned configurations (8 cm for murine carotid; 18 cm for intrathecal; 30 cm for femoral artery)
• EO-sterilized and individually packaged under ISO 13485–certified manufacturing conditions

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

SoloCath™ catheters are validated for use across Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, and Long-Evans rats (200–500 g) and C57BL/6, BALB/c, and CD-1 mice (18–35 g). Device sizing adheres to anatomical benchmarks established by ASTM F2022 (Standard Guide for Implantable Vascular Access Devices in Preclinical Research) and aligns with NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) recommendations for minimally invasive surgical technique. All catheters comply with ISO 10993–1 (biological evaluation of medical devices), USP (biological reactivity tests), and EU MDR Annex I essential requirements for Class IIa implantables. Heparin-bonded variants meet ISO 10993–4 hemocompatibility testing criteria. Documentation packages support GLP-compliant study reporting and FDA 21 CFR Part 58 audit readiness.

Software & Data Management

While SoloCath™ catheters are hardware-only components, their integration into quantitative in vivo workflows is optimized for interoperability with industry-standard data acquisition systems—including ADInstruments PowerLab, DATAQ DI-158U, and IONIC Systems AcqKnowledge. When used with calibrated infusion pumps (e.g., Harvard Apparatus PHD Ultra, World Precision Instruments SP200i), catheters maintain flow accuracy within ±3% CV over 72-hour continuous infusion at rates of 0.1–10 µL/min. All catheter lot numbers are traceable via Instech’s electronic certificate of conformance (eCoC), which includes material lot traceability, sterilization batch logs, and dimensional inspection reports—fully compatible with electronic lab notebook (ELN) ingestion and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant audit trails when deployed in regulated PK/PD studies.

Applications

• Chronic arterial blood pressure and heart rate telemetry in unrestrained rats via femoral or carotid catheterization
• Serial plasma sampling for LC-MS/MS-based PK analysis without stress-induced cortisol artifact
• Targeted intrathecal drug delivery in neuropharmacology studies (e.g., opioid receptor modulation, siRNA transfection)
• Bile duct cannulation for enterohepatic recirculation and transporter inhibition assays
• Repeated IV dosing in toxicology studies requiring >5 consecutive days of administration
• Glucose clamp studies using jugular vein catheters paired with real-time enzymatic sensors

FAQ

What is the recommended anticoagulant protocol for maintaining patency during chronic catheter use?

Heparinized saline (10–100 U/mL) is standard for short-term use (<24 h); for multi-day patency, 20–30% dextrose + 10 U/mL heparin or citrate-based lock solutions are preferred to minimize osmotic damage and clot formation.
Can SoloCath™ catheters be used with automated infusion pumps?

Yes—models with ID ≥0.012 in (0.30 mm) are compatible with syringe pumps delivering flow rates from 0.05 µL/min to 2 mL/h. Tubing adapters and low-dead-volume connectors are available upon request.
Is terminal sterilization performed using ethylene oxide (EO) or gamma irradiation?

All SoloCath™ catheters undergo EO sterilization per ISO 11135, validated with biological indicators (Geobacillus stearothermophilus) and residual gas analysis per ISO 10993–7.
Do you provide surgical guidance or implantation protocols?

Instech supplies peer-reviewed, species-specific surgical manuals—including suture techniques, incision landmarks, and postoperative care—aligned with ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines and endorsed by AALAS-certified veterinarians.