What is BS EN 13868 - Methods for kinking of single lumen catheters and medical tubing about?
BS EN 13868 is a European standard that discusses Catheters. BS EN 13868 outlines the test methods for kinking properties for single lumen catheters and medical tubing, as presented for clinical use when bent in a single plane to ensure uniformity in the evaluation of tubing kink properties.
It is recognized that other forces e.g., twisting can influence the behaviour of the product, but no standard test methods are yet available. Under BS EN 13868 it is also recognized that such tubing can be used to transport liquids or gases. However, water is used as a standard test medium under BS EN 13868.
Note: The method under BS EN 13868 is designed for single-lumen tubing but can also be used for multi-lumen tubing. It should be ensured that the bending is done in the worst-case direction unless this would not present a possible real-life situation.
Who is BS EN 13868 – Methods for kinking of single lumen catheters and medical tubing for?
BS EN 1386 on the test methods for kinking of single lumen catheters and medical tubing is useful for:
- Manufacturers of single lumen catheters and medical tubing
- Medical laboratories
Why should you use BS EN 13868 – Methods for kinking of single lumen catheters and medical tubing?
Tubes for catheters and certain other medical uses must be flexible, but simultaneously they need also to have an appropriate minimum strength. The strength and flexibility allow the tube to be handled easily, so it can be bent around obstacles.
BS EN 13868 guides the evaluation of tubing kink properties by providing two test methods one for relatively short term use the ‘short term test method’ and another for more static use the ‘long term test method’.
These methods assist users in reflecting that those plastics materials show different visco-elastic properties and that there are great variations in exposure time for different kinds of medical tubing.
With obedience and compliance to BS EN 13868, you can obtain reliable results from testing of kinking of single lumen catheters and medical tubing.
