Effect of Flexible Catheter Materials on Catheter Angle and Blood Vessel Irritation

Launched by GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY · Apr 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at different types of small tubes called peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs), which are commonly used to access veins for treatments. The researchers want to see if using softer, more flexible materials for the catheter tips can help them sit more comfortably in the vein and reduce irritation. This could potentially make the catheters last longer and decrease issues like swelling or clotting.

To participate, you need to be between 18 and 75 years old, a healthy adult with a normal body weight, and not pregnant. You should also not have any serious health conditions that affect your blood or veins. If you join, you will spend some time in the clinic for tests and monitoring. You will have two catheters placed—one made of flexible material and one made of a less flexible material—and will be observed for a few days to see how they perform. This study is important because it aims to improve the comfort and effectiveness of IV treatments for patients in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult aged 18-75 years.
• • Not pregnant at time of recruitment and within 48 hrs of Day 1 procedures (self-reported)
• • Normal haematology results as per reference range determined by the laboratory.
• • Normal coagulation results as per reference range determined by the laboratory.
• • Target cephalic veins readily cannulatable (i.e., \> 2 mm)
• • Able and willing to provide verbal and written consent
• • Must be an Australian citizen with current Medicare card
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of pro coagulative state / condition (e.g., previous deep vein thrombosis)
• • Currently on any anti-coagulant or platelet inhibitor medication. Use of NSAIDs and aspirin will be documented however are not exclusionary.
• • Haemophilia or any current or history of bleeding disorder or tendency
• • Presence or report of current blood borne disease/infection (e.g., hepatitis, HIV, leukemia, lymphoma)
• • History of difficult vascular access
• • Allergy or sensitivity to chlorhexidine gluconate, isopropyl alcohol, latex, or skin adhesives
• • BMI \< 18.5 kg/m2 or ≥ 35 kg/m2
• • Positive results for the urine drug screen at screening or check-in (including opiates, methadone, cocaine, amphetamines)
• • History or presence of alcoholism (self-reported) or drug abuse within the past 2 years
• • A current or previous medical, physical, mental / cognitive disorder or anatomical conditions that, in the opinion of the chief or sub-investigator, would place the patient at risk, would make them unable to perform study procedures or has the potential to confound interpretation of the study results. (e.g., musculo-skeletal injury, chronic back pain)
• • Employed by Terumo, Becton Dickinson, Teleflex Medical, ICUMedical or BBraun (conflict of interest)