Catheter Testing

BDC Laboratories can provide complete testing solutions for all types of catheters including: central venous, neurological, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC), dialysis catheters, delivery catheters, and pressure measurement catheters. Our team has experience performing all the tests outlined in the ISO 10555 and 11070 guideline documents as well as the FDA 824 document. As a complete solution, we provide the testing plan, protocols, and generate reports at the completion of the study. All catheter testing activities can be executed under GLP guidance and audited by our quality assurance team. A comprehensive list of our capabilities can be reviewed here. Some of BDC Labs catheter testing capabilities include:

  • Dimensional Verification
  • Tube Strength
  • Bond Strength
  • Pressure - Flow Characterization
  • High Pressure Dynamic Injection
  • Stiffness Testing
  • Life-Cycle Flexual Fatigue
  • Kink Radius Determination
  • Natural Frequency Response

Dialysis Catheter Recirculation

Multi-lumen dialysis catheters draw and return blood to the cardiovascular system in close proximity. A result of this characteristic is a tendency for recirculation between the arterial and venous catheter lumens. Therefore, cleaned blood returning to the patient will mix with blood being drawn and decrease the efficiency of the treatment.

BDC Labs has an established testing apparatus and methodology to determine and quantify the percent of recirculation that occurs with different dialysis catheter flow rates and cardiac outputs. The recirculation system can be constructed to have the catheter deployed with a transparent silicone model of the right atrium, a silicone transparent model of the superior vena cava, or rigid model of either, depending on your specific need. Either a glycerin-water mixture to simulate the viscosity of blood, or straight water, can be utilized as the test solution. Finally, flow visualization can be performed to highlight the fluid dynamics at the tip of the catheter during the test conditions.

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