Some Information on Plastic Syringes

In medical or veterinary care, we come across a large number of syringes. The most common type is plastic syringes. Syringes are made of a pump that comes with plunger within a tube. The plunger can either be pushed or pulled inside the cylindrical tube also called a barrel. The action allows the syringe to extract or expel liquid into an orifice situated at the tip of the tube. This open part of the syringe is typically fitted with a needle, tubing, or a nozzle to direct the flow of the substance in and out of the barrel.

Syringes has a number of applications that includes administering injections, inserting intravenous medication onto the bloodstream, applying compounds like lubricants or glue, and measuring fluids. The name syringe is derived from the Greek word syrinx which means tube. Perhaps the most popular type of syringes is the hypodermic ones that are used with hypodermic needles. They are used to inject liquids into the tissues under the skin or to extract them from the body.

We often see syringes being held with the syringe upside down as the person holding it taps the tube before expelling drops of liquid before injection. This is done to remove air that can sometimes form inside the syringe. Injecting air into the blood vessel is very dangerous as it can cause air embolism.

The syringe barrel is typically made of transparent plastic showing graduated marks. Syringes made of plastic are for single-use only and should be properly disposed after use unlike glass syringes that can be sterilized. Most modern syringes come with a rubber piston which offers a better seal and are quite cheap to dispose. The use of disposable syringes more than once can cause the spread of blood-borne diseases. In fact the sharing of disposable syringes causes the spread of HIV or hepatitis in intravenous drug users.
Sometimes syringes are used without needles for administering medicine to young children or to animals orally. It is often times used to feed animals too. Using a syringe is way easier than using a measuring spoon for both children and animals that would typically resist the medicine or food.

Author: Todd Johnson
Email: Todd@australianwebsitedevelopment.com.au
Mobile: 0449 041 815