---
title: "DIY Research: Vascular Access Challenges and Solutions"
description: "Some of the most common DIY research solutions include cutting tubing to create catheters, homemade vascular access pedestals, and \"make our own\" formulated lock and flush solutions.

Join Amy Martunas, CVT, RLATG, SRA, SRT, and Lena Medina, RLATG for this free one-hour webinar as they chat about common perceptions and misconceptions of DIY, when it can help, and when it could harm your studies."
---

[Resources | Blog ](https://www.instechlabs.com/blog)

# [DIY Research: Vascular Access Challenges and Solutions](https://www.instechlabs.com/blog/diy-research-vascular-access-challenges-and-solutions)

 Written by [Wyatt Boughter](https://www.instechlabs.com/blog/author/wyatt-boughter) | Mar 16, 2022 11:44:27 AM

 

Amy Martunas, CVT, RLATG, SRA, SRT, Instech Global Director, Preclinical Application Support and Lena Medina, RLATG, Instech Sales Director, North America discuss the following topics in this 48 minute long radio-talk-show like webinar:

### DIY Catheters and the Fluid Pathway

- Why [sterility](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/videos/sterility-advocacy.mp4) is important and [sterile cut tubing segments](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/videos/DIY-tubing-catheters.mp4)
- [Catheter tip shape](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/videos/diy-catheters.mp4) and its resulting impact on patency
- Long-term [patency goals](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/videos/Why-Sterility-Matters.mp4)
- Contamination and how it relates to patency failure
- Subclinical infections and how they impact study outcomes, animal welfare, and scientific data
- When it is or isn't acceptable to use non-sterile products

### Vascular Access Buttons

- Definition of [open versus closed systems](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/videos/closed-vs-open.mp4)
- Surgical tips, dos and don'ts
- [Positive Pressure Technique](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/videos/positive-pressure.mp4)

### Sterile Solutions

- Making your own catheter lock and flush solutions - when is it ok?
- Definition of sterile, pharmaceutical-grade, USP 797
- Regulatory guidance and recommendations including animal welfare, USDA, OLAW, and AAALAC

### Resources

[Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals](https://www.aaalac.org/pub/?id=E905B4D2-EC0B-5638-4898-1553E7CFCBAB)

[Rodent Surgery Application of Aseptic Technique and Perioperative Care](http://research.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Rodent-Surgery-Handout-Application-of-Aseptic-Technique-and-Perioperative-Care.pdf)

[Guidelines for Rodent Survival Surgery](https://surgicalresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Rodent.pdf)

[Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/AC_BlueBook_AWA_508_comp_version.pdf)

[Patency of Jugular Vein Catheters in CD-1® IGS Mice: Evaluation of Three Catheter Maintenance Schedules in Standardly Externalized Catheter and Transcutaneous Buttons](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/pdfs/resources/bib_SP_AALAS_17_jugular_vein_catheters_cd_1_igs_mice.pdf)

[PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals](https://olaw.nih.gov/faqs#/guidance/faqs?anchor=questionhttps://olaw.nih.gov/guidance/faqs)

[Guidelines for the Use of Non-Pharmaceutical Grade Compounds in Laboratory Animals](https://oacu.oir.nih.gov/system/files/media/file/2021-06/b14_pharmaceutical_compounds.pdf)

[AAALAC Guidance Pertaining to Non-Pharmaceutical-Grade Compounds](https://www.aaalac.org/accreditation-program/faqs/#B9)

[VAB™ and Positive Pressure Technique Can Improve Patency of Rodent Catheters](https://www.instechlabs.com/blog/vab-and-positive-pressure-technique-can-improve-patency-of-rodent-catheters)

[View full post](https://www.instechlabs.com/blog/diy-research-vascular-access-challenges-and-solutions)

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