Central venous catheter
A central venous catheter is a long, thin tube placed in a large vein so that its tip lies near the heart, used for medicines, nutrition, monitoring and repeated blood sampling. It is used in intensive care, theatres, oncology and haemodialysis units.
Common types
- Non-tunnelled CVC: inserted in the neck, chest or groin for short-term use, in single to multiple lumen versions.
- PICC: a peripherally inserted central catheter placed through an arm vein for medium-term use.
- Implantable port: a reservoir under the skin connected to a catheter, accessed with a special needle.
- Haemodialysis catheter: a large-bore double-lumen catheter for dialysis access.
- Midline catheter: inserted in the arm with the tip below the shoulder, for medium-term peripheral use.
What to tell us when you ask for a quotation
- Type, number of lumens, French size and catheter length
- Catheter material (polyurethane or silicone) and any coating
- Kit contents: guidewire, introducer needle, dilator, scalpel, syringes and drapes
- Insertion method (Seldinger or modified Seldinger) and whether ultrasound guidance accessories are included
- Sterilisation method, shelf life and packing
- Quantity, destination country and the delivery terms you want (for example EXW, FOB or CIF).
Documents to ask for
Buyers usually ask for CE marking under the EU MDR or local registration, ISO 13485 for the maker, ISO 10555-3 for central venous catheters, ISO 10993 biocompatibility data, and sterilisation validation to ISO 11135 or ISO 11137.
Certificates and registrations belong to the product and its manufacturer. We check them with you against the rules of your market before any order.
Should we buy catheters alone or as full kits?
Most hospitals buy kits, which include the guidewire, needle, dilator and other items in one sterile pack and save preparation time. Buyers should list the exact kit contents they need, because kits from different makers differ.
Send us the specification and quantity. We compare manufacturers in China and reply with options, lead times and the documents that come with each product. NJMC sources and checks; it does not manufacture.