A needle is a medical tool used to deliver drugs, vitamins, antibiotics, and electrolytes into the body. A syringe is used with a needle to either deliver medicine or withdraw blood or other body fluid from a patient. Needles and syringes have many uses in operations and surgeries for anesthesia and other purposes. Different types of medical needles and syringes are used generally in hospital settings, intensive care units, and operating theaters.
Types of medical needles and syringes
Vaccine needles
Vaccine delivery is common practice in healthcare units, notably in newborns and in instances of sudden bacterial or viral infections. For vaccine administration, sometimes specific needles are used that are referred to as ‘vaccine needles’. These are non-pyrogenic disposable sterile needles. Vaccine syringes have clear graduated markings that guarantee dosage control and accuracy of each dose.
Biopsy needles
Biopsy needles are used to take out a sample of tissue or fluid for diagnostic purposes. A biopsy is often performed in cancer patients to diagnose the severity of the disease. Biopsy needles mostly range from 14‐gauge to 20‐gauge.
Anesthesia needles
Anesthesia is a common practice in hospitals before surgery. Anesthesia is given to the patients to lower their pain sensitivity. Different types of medical needles and syringes are used for general and local anesthesia depending upon the requirement.
Anesthesia needles can be used to numb the specific area during operations such as biopsies, repairing a fractured bone, or stitching a deep cut.
These are types of anesthesia needles:
1. Epidural needles
Epidural needles are used to deliver local anesthesia to the space around the spinal nerves during delivery. Typically a 16g or 18g is used.
2. Nerve block needles
These needles are used to deliver nerve anesthesia to stop pain from a specific area of the body. Nerve block needles are available with removable or fixed caps, along with a choice of needle tips.
Different types of medical needles and syringes are used depending on their size and requirements in different medical procedures.
