Novel syringe improves HCP experience during aspiration

A novel syringe demonstrates better user experience than a hypodermic syringe during aspiration by standardizing the process, regardless of user, drug type, volume, or injection site, reports a study.

In addition, it delivers consistent low vacuum generation, improving user compliance and patient safety, which make it fit for various applications such as intramuscular vaccinations and therapeutic injections.

“Adopting this syringe could increase positive aspiration results, reduce false negatives, and minimize medico-legal liability related to inadvertent intravascular injections, especially with medications that have systemic toxicity risks,” the researchers said.

“Smaller-volume/prefilled syringe variants may also benefit low-volume drug and vaccine administration, addressing recent concerns about vaccine delivery without prior aspiration,” they added.

A total of 384 patients needing parenteral injections were included in this single-centre, open-label, randomized controlled trial conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Gujarat, India, from 15 October 2024 to 15 December 2024.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive injections for vaccines, vitamins, analgesics, or regional anaesthesia using either the novel (n=192) or hypodermic syringe (n=192). Of the patients, 30 received an additional second dose in a crossover design. Sixty-four healthcare professionals (HCPs) performed the injections with both devices.

Pain reported by patients were minimal, with no significant between-group difference (mean Present Pain Index [PPI], 1.41; p>0.05). [BMJ Innov 2026;doi:10.1136/bmjinnov-2025-001426]

There was also no significant difference in injection ease between the two groups (p=0.083). The use of the novel syringe significantly enhanced aspiration ease (p<0.001), with 100 percent of HCPs rating it as “effortless” compared with 67 percent and 33 percent rating the hypodermic syringe as “moderate” and “significant,” respectively.

“These findings suggest that while patient pain perception is comparable between the two devices, the user-friendliness experienced during aspiration significantly enhances the overall efficiency of the novel syringe,” the researchers said.

Needle gauges

The similar PPI between the novel and hypodermic syringe groups was driven by the comparable needle gauges used in both devices. [J Diabetes Sci Technol 2007;1:725-729]

“The extended crossover study reinforced these results as patients served as their own controls by reporting pain perception following injections with both devices,” the researchers said.

On the other hand, the ergonomic design of the devices during the injection phase was the potential reason for the effortless injection experience. The regular hypodermic syringe is normally held in one hand and positioned between the index and middle fingers, with the thumb operating as the plunger.

“This configuration allows for precise control as the plunger is depressed, resulting in a reduction in the axial length of the barrel–plunger assembly and minimizing the risk of losing control,” the researchers said. [J Rheumatol 2006;33:771-778]

“The novel syringe, sharing similar overall dimensions and injection mechanics, offers a similar injection experience,” they added.

Overall, “[t]his study demonstrates that the novel syringe improves aspiration ergonomics, reducing the effort required and allowing healthcare providers to aspirate more effectively and for the recommended duration,” according to the researchers.