Who cannot remember a syringe with a needle sticking out of it that constituted most of our childhood nightmares? But while the young days of your life have been spent in utter horror for this device, your teens and adulthood may require you to keep a supply of syringes like BD syringes ready for medical purposes as prescribed by the doctor.
During this time, you not only have to forget about your childhood dread but you also have to learn how to select the right device and how to use them in the right manner. For this you need to understand the mechanism and types of syringes.
Mechanism of Syringes
Syringes happen to be simple tools that consist of primarily 7 different parts. The needle gets attached to the tip of the syringe, in order to prevent leakage of the medication, the stopper is used, the barrel of the syringe comes with small graduations on the external side which measure the amount of liquid that is contained in the barrel. It is usually measured in millilitres or cubic centimetres.
The users can rest their fingers on the wings of the syringe which are the flanges that come out of the size. The piston like device is called the plunger rod and at the thumb press the user pushes the plunger inside the barrel.
Types of Syringes
Selection of the syringe is mostly based on the volume of the measure and the medication that is required and the pressure flow that is desired. Mostly millilitres (mL) and centimetres (cc) are used to measure the volume. Both the measurements are similar in case of volumes. Lower pressure medications require large syringes so do the large volumes of medications. Other factors that play crucial role in syringe selection are the usages of the syringes like for irrigation, injection or medical tubing.
On a broader note syringes are of the following types namely –
- Luer Lock Syringes – As its needle removal and installation are quite easy, the Luer Lock syringes are the most commonly used syringes. They offer a more secure connection. They need a needle to be twisted and locked in place. This ensures that the needle never falls off and also prevents accidental slipping of the needle.
- Insulin Syringes – These come with a needle attached. They have a thin and short needle to avoid bruising and pain. The barrel is thin and long and marked in insulin units.
- Catheter Tip Syringes – This one is also very common and it is used when the regular slip tip needle is larger than the normal one or for injecting through the tubing. Off centre tips are found in eccentric tip syringes and are used for artery and surface vein injections.
- Luer Slip Syringes –This one offers a simpler and quicker way to attach a needle. When a quick injection is required this syringe is mostly preferred and it tends to be cheaper. These syringes can pop off at times and that is why professionals tend to go for the Luer Lock syringes.
Now that you know the various types of syringes, prior to buying just ensure that you have chosen a reputed shop of medical equipment in India where you will get authentic products at the right prices.
