Yes, Millar Pressure Catheters and Pressure-Volume Loop Catheters are susceptible to ESD damage when they are not connected to a recording amplifier (ADInstruments Bridge Amp or Millar Pressure System) or an MPVS Duo Pressure-Volume Loop Measurement System. When handling a catheter that is not connected, you should use some form of ESD protection, such as an ESD Grounding Wrist Strap attached to an appropriate earth ground. Conveniently, there is a grounding post on the back panel of the current generation PowerLab C and most earlier PowerLab models as shown in the image below.
Once the catheter is connected to an appropriate amplifier or Data Acquisition System, ESD protection is no longer required to handle it.
For further technical assistance with this or any other issue, please contact ADInstruments Technical Support by clicking HERE.