Customized vascular catheters for rodents

Custom arterial and venous catheters were made for rodents from polyurethane tubing. The low thrombogenicity and toxicity index, chemical stability and resiliency of polyurethane made this tubing an ideal catheter material. The tubing is shaped using peanut oil heated to 160 degrees C. Sealing these catheters is accomplished simply by heating the tube end with a hot object and pinching it between the fingers. Chronic catheter patency was maintained using Burr's solution (9:1 mixture of glycerine and heparin). No flushing was necessary.