What Different Types of Medical Syringes Are There?

Acquiring their name from a very complex and endearing nymph named Syrinx from Greek mythology, syringes are ubiquitous in today’s medical world.  With a large variety of shapes, sizes, and purposes, syringes have been manufactured for more than 400 years. Today, there are more than a half dozen types of syringes used on the regular by various industries.  We’re going to highlight four of the most popular syringe types as one of the four is bound to meet your needs. #1 – Luer-Lock Syringes Luer-Lock syringes are probably the most popular syringes on the market.  Made to hold liquids or creams, luer-lock syringes allow for needles to be twisted on to the tip and eventually locked in to place so that there is no worry of the needle being knocked off.  Think of a screw.  The threads in the luer-lock syringe tips are not unlike those of which are on a screw, or even the top of a plastic water bottle. The sizes of luer-lock syringes can vary but the contents are almost always measured in CC or ml.  The packages can be purchased both with and without the needles, depending on what you want to order. #2 – Luer-Slip Syringes Almost as popular as the luer-lock syringes, luer-slip syringes tend to be a little less costly.  These syringes have the same luer-taper design as the luer-lock syringes but do not have threading in the tip.  There is no mechanism to “lock” needles in to place as you simply push the needle down the luer-taper tip until it fits snugly. The sizes of luer-slip syringes tend to be identical to those of the luer-lock syringes.  Everything is measured in either CC or ml and the same deal applies for purchasing the syringes with and without needles. #3 – Insulin Syringes With the growing diabetes epidemic, insulin syringe sales are on the rise all around the world.  Designed with comfort and minimizing pain in mind, insulin syringes aren’t built like the aforementioned luer-taper syringes.  Insulin syringes are typically made smaller, thinner, lighter, stronger, and are prepared to hold a very thin and strong needle that will help minimize pain during injection.  These types of syringes tend to come with the small 30 or 31 gauge needles already attached and capped and are almost never sold separately. Measurements are always in small CC amounts, almost never ml. #4 – Safety Syringes Safety Syringes are the most costly of the four we’re talking about today.  Safety syringes are made with the well being of the user in mind.  Used to prevent healthcare workers and others from accidental needlestick injuries, the most common safety syringes have a retractable mechanism that will pull the needle up in to the syringe for safe disposal.  Another common type of safety syringe allows for the user to cover the dirty needle with one hand, again for safe disposal.  Needles are typically purchased with the syringes, not sold separately. Safety syringes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are measured in CC, primarily.  That said, ml safety syringes can be found and purchased as well.