Choosing a Syringe: What Type of Syringes Are There and Which Should I Use?

In its most basic form, a syringe can be described a device that is used to draw up and transfer liquid (or gases) from one location to another using a reciprocating (piston) pump action.

It's not really clear exactly when the syringe was first invented as there are references to uses of liquid transfer devices throughout history. For example, in the 17th Century the famous UK architect Sir Christopher Wren recorded that he administered wine and opium into the veins of dogs and scientist Robert Boyle used syringes to conduct experiments investigating gas pressure. There are even some references of a device made from hollow reeds and a plunger that was used to alter the pitch of a musical instrument dating back as far as Roman times.

The first modern day hypodermic syringes – that are used with a hollow needle to inject substances under the skin or into the veins (intravenously) and draw up blood etc. – were said to be created at virtually the same time by French physician Charles Pravaz and Scottish physician Alexander Wood who invented the Fergusson syringe in 1853, which he used to inject morphine into a patient.

However, it was a British citizen living in New Zealand Colin Albert Murdoch who is credited with one of the most exciting developments in the history of the syringe – the invention of the plastic disposable syringe in 1956.

What Types of Syringes are There?

First off, you can choose between a disposable or reusable syringe. In general, sterilised glass syringes can be reused, while disposable plastic syringes are designed to be used once.

In the past, syringes were often cleaned and reused. However, following the invention of the plastic disposable syringe, the popularity of these types of syringes rose due to their convenience factor and the fact that they reduced the risk of transferring blood-borne diseases from the use of contaminated syringes.

The high quality syringes we sell and manufacture at Muzamedical today are formed of three parts: a barrel, a plunger and the tip, however syringes comprising two parts, where the tip is built in, can also be found today.

Syringe nozzle types are:

1. Luer Slip (or Slip Tip) – allows a needle to be quickly and conveniently pushed straight on to the end of the tip (if a needle is required).

2. Luer Lock – allows a Luer Lock needle to be screwed onto the tip and securely locked in place ensuring no liquids can leak.

3. Luer Slip Eccentric – used when you need to inject something parallel to the skin. The off-centre tip is in line with the outer side of the barrel, so is perfect for injecting into a vein or artery.

4. Catheter – commonly used when injecting via tubing, flushing wounds or when using a slip tip needle that is too large to use standard slip tip syringe

What Type of Syringe to Use?

The type – and size – of syringe you choose depends on your requirements. For example, how much liquid or gas needs to be transferred or injected and what you are transferring the product to. Some uses require a needle to transfer the contents by injection, while some – like syringe feeding a pet – do not.

Our medical grade Ciringe Syringes come in a variety of nozzle types and sizes: 

• Ciringe Luer slip disposable syringes are available in 1ml, 3ml, 5ml, 10ml, 20ml and 50ml sizes (the 50ml size Luer slip tip is off-centre [eccentric]).
• Ciringe Luer lock disposable syringes: available in 3ml, 5ml, 10ml, 20ml and 50ml sizes

Ciringe Syringes have a number of uses:

including NHS, hospitals, private healthcare sector, medical, clinical, dispensing, veterinary, beauty salons, aesthetics clinics, dental, human, pet and animal feeding and any other liquid transfer/administering job that requires precise dispensing, such as vaping E-Cigarette refilling, printer ink cartridge refilling, crafting, art, hobbies, painting and gluing, lubricating, plant watering, cooking, perfume mixing and filling, making Jello shots, scientific experiment use and more…

Ciringe syringes are also available in a liquid mixing set comprising a medical grade syringe with a 14g or 18g blunt needle for non-medical uses such as refilling e-liquid (vapes), dispensing CBD, inks, woodworm treatment and other crafts, hobbies and DIY.

We also stock syringes from Terumo (with Luer Slip and Luer Lock tips), Nipro (with Luer Lock tips) and BD syringes with needles for general use and 0.3ml, 0.5ml and 1ml U-100 syringes specifically designed for precise dosing of insulin.

Disposal: Needles are syringes must be safely disposed of. To assist with this, we have a selection of sharps bins available for safe disposal of your clinical waste.

Have a question? If you have any questions about the type or size of syringe you require or would like to order in bulk please contact us, we will be happy to help.