Prefilled syringes (PFS) are pre-filled, ready-to-use injection devices containing pre-measured medication, widely used in vaccines, biologics, and chronic disease treatments. Their “open-and-use” feature makes them ideal for hospitals, vaccination sites, and home self-administration, enhancing convenience while reducing contamination risks from incorrect operation.
However, with many options available, selecting the right prefilled syringe can be challenging. The right choice is what can improve safety, efficiency, and reduce waste.
In this article, we discuss how to choose the best type of syringe.
Types of Prefilled Syringes
Each PFS syringe generally has four main parts: a needle (or no needle in a syringe needleless), a barrel to hold the medicine, a plunger to push the medicine out, and a protective cap to keep it clean before use.
Depending on materials and design, prefilled syringes can be categorized into:
1. By Material
The type of syringe can be classified by material.
- Glass prefilled syringes offer high chemical stability and are less likely to react with drugs. They also provide excellent transparency, facilitating visual inspection of the medication.
- Polymer syringes are usually made from COP (cyclic olefin polymer) or COC (cyclic olefin copolymer). They are lightweight, highly shatter-resistant, and feature excellent low protein adsorption properties, making them ideal for highly sensitive biologics.
2. By Design
The type of prefilled syringe can also be classified by design.
- The fixed needle syringes have the needle permanently attached. Ready for immediate use with maximum operational convenience, it also reduces the risk of leakage at connection points.
- The Luer Lock syringes need to twist the needle and lock it into place for a tight fit. It allows flexible switching between different gauge needles or connection to other devices (such as infusion tubes).
- The luer slip version lets the needle slide on easily, though it may be less secure. The choice depends on safety needs and how the drug is given.
How to Choose Prefilled Syringes?
Choosing prefilled syringes depends on a lot of factors that need analysis. You will have to think about safety, performance, medical needs, and how well the syringe goes with the drug in question. Here are some important factors that play a role in finding the best prefilled syringe:
1. Syringe Performance
The performance of prefilled syringes matters greatly. It should be easy to use, especially for nurses or patients who inject at home. Some prefilled syringes come with safety mechanisms like needle guards to reduce the risk of injury after use. The needle tip must also be smooth and burr-free to prevent medical accidents.
Other important features include high transparency (to check the medicine), accuracy (to give the exact dose), and purity (to avoid contamination). In recent years, more companies have also started focusing on environmental friendliness by offering syringes made with recyclable or low-waste materials.
2. Sterilization Method
Sterilization is another important factor. Prefilled syringes must be sterilized without damaging the material and medicine.
Radiation sterilization is suitable for polymer syringes. Ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization applies to radiation-sensitive materials but requires residual testing. Steam sterilization is only applicable to high-temperature-resistant glass syringes. Some high-quality prefilled syringes support all three methods – steam, ethylene oxide, and radiation sterilization – making them the recommended choice.
3. Drug Type
The kind of drug being delivered also guides your choice. For example, small-molecule injections can use glass material with standard siliconization treatment. Biological products, such as monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, can opt for COP/COC materials with low protein adsorption. For lyophilized powder reconstitution formulations, dual-chamber prefilled syringes provide optimal preservation.
4. Injection Site
The injection site is closely linked to needle size and design. Injections given in the muscle (intramuscular) need longer and thicker needles, while those given under the skin (subcutaneous) use shorter, thinner ones. Intravenous injections use long needles.
The PFS syringes should match the right needle size. If the needle is too thick, it may increase pain; if too thin, it may cause difficulty in injecting high-viscosity medications.
5. Injection Dose
The injection dose also plays an important role. A small dose might only need a 0.5 ml syringe, while a larger one requires 1 ml or more. Choosing suitable prefillable syringes helps reduce dead space, meaning less medicine is wasted. The correct dose and syringe size also help avoid errors and make the treatment more efficient.
Selecting prefilled syringes involves looking at all these details together. A well-chosen syringe will support both patient safety and good care.
WEGO Medical – Get Your Optimal Prefilled Syringes
WEGO Medical prefilled syringes are designed for both quality and convenience, meeting the requirements of modern filling systems. They are widely used for subcutaneous and intramuscular injectables, and compatible with vaccines, low molecular weight heparin, EPO, monoclonal antibodies, GCSF, and other more.
WEGO Medical’s prefilled syringes have obtained FDA 510K, CE, ISO9001, and ISO13485 certifications. The glass prefilled syringes are particularly recommended, available in three designs (fixed needle, Luer lock, and Luer slip) with multiple capacity options.
The production process is entirely contact-free, preventing scratches on the syringe body and reducing drug wastage. The surface features lead-free scale printing to avoid heavy metal contamination. Additionally, the exclusive siliconization process ensures optimal sliding performance, making injections smoother and more effortless.
Conclusion
Choosing the right prefilled syringes depends on the drug, dose, needle type, how it will be used, and other factors. Good syringes make treatment safer, faster, and more comfortable.
WEGO Medical makes high-quality prefilled syringes with advanced machines and strict checks. Contact them now for high-quality prefilled syringes!