ISO 10555 - Tensile Testing of Catheter Tubing
Mechanical Testing of Medical Tubing
Intravascular catheters are devices used for either diagnostic purposes or to deliver treatments within the vascular system. They are commonly used to treat clogged arteries by moving through the vascular system to access the site of a blockage, where a balloon or stent is placed in order to permanently hold the artery open. Cardiac catheterization is extremely commonplace and helps prevents cardiac arrest in millions of people with high blood pressure and other cardiac risk factors.
As with all medical devices, the consequences of catheter failure are severe. Because of this, regulatory bodies maintain strict testing requirements to ensure that all devices are suitable for their intended use. ISO 10555 is a testing standard that defines specifications for single-use intravascular catheters, including mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and functional properties related to gas and liquid leakage. The various annexes of the standard correspond to various types of vascular catheters. To read the standard in full, purchase ISO 10555.
Testing System
ISO 10555 requires a universal testing machine to evaluate the tensile properties of the catheter body as well as the joint strength of the connectors and hubs attached to the catheter. Because this test primarily measures maximum force, a basic system such as Instron's 3400 Series is appropriate, though labs with multiple testing applications may require the advanced features found in Instron's high-tier 6800 Series. No extensometry is required by the standard, but some customers will use either a long travel contacting extensometer or video extensomter for extensometry measurements.
| Catheter Test Setup | |
|---|---|
| 1) | 3400 Series Universal Testing System |
| 2) | Bluehill Universal Software |
| 3) | 2530 Series Load Cell |
| 4) | 2714-005 Pneumatic Cord and Yarn Grips |
