CIA Medical is a leading provider of medical and surgical supplies. We serve over 25,000 healthcare facilities worldwide. See our list of tunnel catheters and prices below. Order online, call us at (312) 275-5850, or get a 2-hour quote by filling the form on this page.
If you’re unable to locate a specific item on our website, please contact us at: [email protected] or (312) 275-5850 and our sales and customer service team will promptly help you find it at the best price.
No matter the item's brand, type, or size, we can get it — even if backordered.
What Is a Tunneled Catheter?
A tunnel catheter, as the name implies, is one that is tunneled into the body via a vein. It provides long-term access to the vein and can be used in various locations around the body for a wide range of purposes.
Tunneled catheters can also be known under other names, like Hickman lines or central venous catheters. They've been used for decades to provide access to the bloodstream and can be vital for delivering medicines and drugs directly into the body without the need for frequent, painful injections.
Like other catheters, tunneled catheters consist of a hollow tube that is usually semi-flexible and divides into two or three lumens at one end which can be used for different purposes, such as injecting different floods or monitoring the blood or heart. There are various benefits associated with these catheters, and one of the main advantages is that they can stay in place for a long time.
C.R. Bard #600600, TRAY, CATHETER, HICKMAN, 9 FR, DUAL LUMEN, EACH
C.R. Bard #0600620, HICKMAN Central Venous Catheter, Dual Lumens, Peel-Apart Introducer, 12 Fr, 90cm, EACH
How Does a Tunneled Catheter Work?
Tunneled catheters are usually placed in the neck, directly into the internal jugular vein. They may also be placed in the groin, the liver, the chest, or the back. Once an insertion site has been identified, it will need to be numbed. An incision can then be made and ultrasound and live X-ray scans will then be used to guide the catheter into position, threading it through the large vein towards the heart, ending just near the entrance at the right atrium. The other end remains outside the body and can be connected to IV bags and other containers or machines.
Tunneled Catheter Sizes
Tunneled catheters usually need to be quite long, as they have to travel a reasonable distance through the blood system in order to reach the heart. They also tend to be relatively narrow in diameter in order to fit inside blood vessels, ranging from 7 to 12 Fr in size.
Tunneled Catheter Types
Tunneled catheters are all relatively similar but can have some slight differences and may be named in different ways according to the brands that make them or the people who created their original designs. Examples include Hickman lines, Broviac catheters, and Groshong catheters.
Tunneled Catheter Uses
Tunneled catheters or central lines are used when a doctor needs access to a patient's vein for an extended period of time (up to several months). This usually occurs when a patient requires an extensive treatment of medication. A tunneled line allows medications to be transfused into the body simply through the catheter, rather than forcing the patient to undergo multiple injections. This may be useful for patients who are receiving IV fluids or undergoing chemotherapy.
Tunneled Catheter Suppliers
C. R. Bard is one of the leading suppliers of tunneled catheters.
Buy Tunneled Catheters at CIA Medical
If you’re looking for high quality tunneled catheters at fair, wholesale prices, CIA Medical is the site for you. We have a huge selection of catheters and other pieces of medical equipment, all sold in bulk at the most competitive costs. With over 25,000 satisfied customers already served, you can rely on CIA Medical for the quality products and industry-leading service you expect.
