Many researchers have converted to the plastic feeding tube for the increased tubing flexibility which reduces trauma and performation and for the simplicity of a low cost, disposable device. These tubes feature medical grade materials designed to minimize the risk of interactions with test compounds. The tube is constructed of polypropylene which is the same material used in plastic syringes. The soft, bulb-shaped tip is fabricated from medical grade silicone (though virtually none of the tip is in the fluid path). The soft, bulb-shaped tip is designed to obviate inadvertent tube placement in the trachea and to reduce the risk of trauma and performation.
Instead of using the solvents and glues used by other plastic feeding tubes, the manufacturing process insert molds the luer and the rubber tip directly to the tube. This method, though more costly, improves the bond strength of these connections and assures more consistent quality.
These feeding tubes are available in a variety of diameters and lengths to allow for use in most small laboratory animals. They are supplied in sterile packs of 5 tubes, 250 tubes (50 packs) per box.