The word "syringe" comes from the Greek syrinx, which means tube. Initially, a cut was made in the body and the tube was inserted where they wanted to place medication.
Dr. Francis Rynd, a physician from Ireland, is credited with the invention and first use of a hollow needle used in hypodermic syringes in 1844. He, however, did not publish his findings until 1861.
Dr. Alexander Wood
Meanwhile, Dr. Alexander Wood, from Edinburgh, Scotland, was the first to inject a patient with morphine in 1853 using a true hypodermic needle with syringe and hollow needle. He published his paper, "A New Method for Treating Neuralgia by the Direct Application of Opiates to Painful Points" in the Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal in 1855.
Lucas and William Chance, partners and owners of Chance Brothers and Company, in Smethwick, Birmingham, England, were the first to manufacture an all-glass syringe featuring an interchangeable barrel and movable plunger in 1946 which set the stage for sterilization of components without having to match them.
How is a LOR technique performed?
Loss of resistance technique
While inserting an epidural needle, once it passes in between the lower half of the anterior surface of the lamina above and the posterior surface of the lamina below, and through the ligament flava, there is a sudden loss of resistance; sometimes described as a negative pressure, on the syringe plunger when dura matter is pushed away from the vertebral canal. This is known as entering the epidural space, where medication may be injected, thus the name "Loss of Resistance". The epidural space is usually found between 40 and 60mm from the skin.
All-glass syringe manufacturing process
Parts of all-glass syringe with metal luer lock
The raw glass tubes used to make the barrels and plungers of our syringes are made using an extrusion process. The main ingredients in Borosilicate glass are silica sand and boric oxide, along with sodium oxide, aluminum oxide and ground lime, which are heated in a furnace to over 2,000° F. The molten glass is forced through a die that controls the O.D. (Outside Diameter) and a hollow cylinder inside the die that controls I.D. (Inside Diameter) and wall thickness. Air is then blown through the hollow cylinder to keep the glass from collapsing until it cools, at which point the continuous tube is cooled down more and then cut into lengths.
The plunger and barrel are shaped using roll forming equipment. This equipment has many stations with torches that progress the shape until the final plunger and barrel geometries are completed. Graduations or other custom marks are added and all parts are subject to multiple washes and cleanings prior to final assembly of the barrel, tip and plunger. Our syringes are then inspected and packaged in a controlled environment.
Our syringes have three major uses:
1. Syringes for injections
2. Syringes for aspiration
3. Syringes suitable for the LOR technique
What kinds of glass syringes are available?
Glass-on-glass
Clear or frosted barrels
Plunger rod without silicone (for the air method of locating epidural space)
1cc, 2cc, 3cc, 5cc, 10cc, 20cc, 50cc, 100cc
With or without graduations
Customized barrel, flange, length and tip with company name, logos and other marks
Our syringe materials consist of:
Nontoxic, Borosilicate glass Type I for barrels and plungers (used for its high strength, heat resistance and optical clarity)
Nickel-plated brass luers
Available with Neoprene sleeves
Tip options
Luer tapers are named after Hermann Wülfing Luer, a 19th Century medical instrument maker. They are a standardized system of small fittings which make a leak-free connection between syringe and needle.
There are two types of Luer taper connections: Luer Lock and Luer Slip. The Luer Lock holds the female luer needle to the syringe's male luer using threads to lock the needle to the syringe. The Luer Slip is held together by friction between the female hub taper and the male luer taper on the syringe barrel only.
For our Syringes, ISPG offers: MLL - Metal Luer Lock Tip, MLS - Metal Luer Slip Tip, and GLS - Glass Luer Slip Tip
Also available are Neuraxial Slip Connector (NRFit®)
Important notes
All of our syringes are 100% tested to ensure a smooth action and tight fit
May be used for anesthetic or other applications
Bulk-clean, ready to be sterilized
Certification and inspection reports available upon request
