Via a catheter, ALZET® Osmotic Pumps can deliver substances into vessels, spinal cord, cerebral ventricles and brain parenchyma, and other organs or tissues. ALZET LLC 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 in bags of 10, 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

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

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)

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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