The growing cases of infectious diseases such as the novel coronavirus and the increase in the usage of COVAX for therapeutic applications are the major factors impelling the medical syringe demand during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
According to the recent Extrapolate report, the medical syringe market is expected to grow at a 10.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to reach USD 24.9 billion in revenue by 2028. These syringes play a significant role in tests and drug administration processes. Moreover, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes across the world is aiding the development of the global industry.
What is a Medical Syringe?
A medical syringe looks like a pump and usually consists of a sliding plunger that fits securely inside a tube. Pulling and pushing the plunger within the exact cylindrical tube, or barrel, allows the syringe to pull in or expel a liquid or gas through an aperture at the open end of the cylindrical tube.
These syringes are commonly used in clinical medicine for various purposes, such as administering drugs, infusing intravenous therapy, or withdrawing fluid samples for diagnostic tests. They are designed to be sterile and provide accurate measurements of the fluid being administered or withdrawn. These syringes play a critical role in healthcare settings and are essential for delivering medications, vaccines, and other treatments to patients.
What Role Does Medical Syringe Play in Optimizing Patient Care?
A syringe is operated by applying pressure. It is typically equipped with a hypodermic needle, nozzle, or tubing to direct the flow into and out of the barrel. Medication is frequently administered using plastic & disposable syringes.
Key Parts of a Medical Syringe
It consists of three main parts: a cylindrical barrel, a plunger, and a needle or nozzle. So, let’s understand the workings of each part briefly below:
- Needle: A pointed hollow tube that pierces the skin and allows drugs to be injected into the body.
- Barrel: The barrel is usually a transparent part that holds the medicine before injection. This part has volume markings to pull in the right amount of medication.
- Piston & Plunger: The piston & plunger work together to control the medicine delivered during an injection.
What are the Health Guidelines for Syringe Safety and Disposal?
Medication syringes with needles are commonly used in healthcare. They are used to administer different treatments, such as COVID-19 vaccinations and HIV medication. They are also used when treating animals. Hence, their safe use and disposal is mandatory. Governments around the world are promoting this in the below-mentioned ways.
- Since used medical syringes are dangerous to people and pets, proper and safe disposal is necessary because these instruments can injure people and spread infections that may cause serious health conditions. The US Food & Drugs Administration has provided guidelines for the proper disposal of syringes to ensure public safety.
- Additionally, the WHO Department of Service Delivery and Safety has created a global campaign to promote safety-engineered syringes, which includes a list of priority actions such as awareness, information, and communication. This campaign will be run by the WHO and other partners to foster the dissemination and implementation of this policy.
Top 5 Innovations in Medical Syringe Technology Revolutionizing Healthcare
1. Retractable Medical Syringe
Retractable Technologies Inc. revolutionized the medical industry with its patented safety syringe technology, including the VanishPoint syringe and Patient Safe syringe. The VanishPoint syringe has a retractable mechanism, reducing needlestick injuries and improving medication accuracy. Patient Safe syringe reduces medication waste and improves dosage accuracy. The company's commitment to safety and innovation extends beyond product development, educating healthcare professionals on the importance of safety in medical practices.
2. Angiographic Syringes
Health professionals use SCW Medicath Ltd.'s angiographic syringes for manual injection of contrast agents in medical procedures like CT scans, coronary angiograms, Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA), and MRI. These disposable syringes are compatible with high-pressure injection equipment and are disposable in various sizes.
Angiograms are diagnostic procedures that use X-ray images to identify blockages in blood vessels, such as arteries or veins. The coronary angiogram involves a small incision, a short plastic tube, and a catheter inserted into the artery. The X-ray machine then takes images to visualize the flow within the vessels. Depending on the findings, an angioplasty can be performed, delivering stents to narrowed arteries.
3. Integrated Passive Safety System Syringe
Puncture wounds and cuts often lead to infections with severe pathogens such as HIV or hepatitis, and nurses and doctors are the major occupational group who work closely with syringes and needle sticks for their treatment. To tackle this problem, Gerresheimer made the Gx InnoSafe safety syringe with an integrated passive safety system. This innovative mechanism prevents accidental needlestick injuries by securely enclosing the needle in a protective sleeve after use, ensuring that no one inadvertently harms themselves with a previously used syringe.
One special feature of the Gx InnoSafe medical syringe is its compatibility with existing filling lines, eliminating the need for extra preparation or assembly steps. Additionally, it fully complies with all regulations, requiring no additional investment.
4. Automatic Needle Detaching Syringe
Needle-stick injuries are a significant issue in medical treatment, with needle recovery being a major concern. A study by the U.S. National Institute of Health proposes an electronic technique for automatically detaching the needle in a needling instrument. The device uses a turntable mechanism with a photo interrupter and an optical sensor to detect the needle's position.
The needle is then automatically detached from the syringe and collected in a needle collection box. The device has been fatigue tested and has a 100% needle and syringe detachment rate in all test groups. This innovative solution offers a safer and more efficient method for needle recovery in medical treatment.
5. Prefilled Medical Syringes
The fundamental problem with parenteral medication administration is a lack of convenience, precision, sterility, affordability, and safety. Due to these limitations, this distribution strategy is less desirable. According to the U.S. National Laboratory of Medicine, the use of prefilled syringes can readily overcome all of the drawbacks of parenteral methods.
Prefilled syringes offer numerous advantages over the parenteral administration of pharmaceutical products, such as convenience, affordability, accuracy, sterility, and safety. These syringes offer diverse uses in healthcare settings, making them a promising alternative to conventional methods.
In a Nutshell
The medical syringe is a vital tool in healthcare settings, serving as a means to administer medications, fluids, and diagnostic tests. They play a crucial role in providing effective and accurate treatments, making it an indispensable device in the field of medicine.
Recent innovations in the technology have revolutionized healthcare practices, paving the way for more accurate, efficient, and patient-centric treatment options. From the development of retractable needles for enhanced safety to the introduction of pre-filled syringes for convenient medication administration, these innovations have significantly improved patient outcomes, reduced risks of infections, and streamlined healthcare workflows.
