BD syringe solution (idea)!!!

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MJW

MJW

Member Since 2017
I am so sick of struggling with the BD syringes. Even with the calipers it takes forever to get just a fairly accurate dose: (a) the needle hub against which I press the calipers varies in position (high or low) on the barrel; (b) the plunger sticks and it is hard to position it exactly at .25 units.

I just had an idea!!! I will buy a second caliper.
I will use the first caliper on an empty syringe to set the correct dose measuring along the barrel from the bottom of the needle hub the usual way.
Then, at the other end of the syringe, I will use the second caliper to measure the distance between the round plastic end of the plunger and the "wings/cylinder" piece on the end of the barrel.
I will draw up a bit more than the desired dose, tap out the bubbles, then press the plunger with the second caliper inserted between the plastic end and the wings/cylinder piece.
The caliper will stop the plunger at exactly the right position---no wiggling and twisting the plunger or shooting past the dose.
The high or low seating of the needle hub will no longer matter, since the dose in the barrel is what is important. I'm pretty sure the plungers and the barrels are always identical.
I'll just control the dose by controlling the position of the plunger in the barrel with the calipers at the base of the syringe. I don't really need 2 sets of calipers, but that will make double checking easier. My calipers have flat edges for the "inside pipe" measurement.
 
MJW said:
I'm pretty sure the plungers and the barrels are always identical.
Click to expand...
Hmmm. Not sure about that assumption. :rolleyes:

Cool idea. I think I understand your logic/method. Let us know how it works. :)

Why not change syringes? I think I have asked before but don't remember the answer.
 
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LizzieInTexas said:
Hmmm. Not sure about that assumption. :rolleyes:

Cool idea. I think I understand your logic/method. Let us know how it works. :)

Why not change syringes? I think I have asked before but don't remember the answer.
Click to expand...

Well, I'll find out if the barrels and plungers vary.
I guess I don't trust other syringes to be that much better, especially re sliding smoothly.
It's "the devil you know vs the devil you don't know".
Which syringes do you use?
I want to give Yum a 2.75F dose, and I just can't get that accurate.
 
Well, BD just shipped me a free box because of my complaining. And they have the shorter 6mm needles. I might order some like yours. We'll see. Thanks.
 
It worked pretty well this evening. A lot less stress on me as I rush around preparing for feeding time at the zoo. I'm a little bit worried I might put air in the very tip of the needle as I press down around the second caliper and release. Of course I might always do that as I flick away the drop at the needle tip.
 
I was also beyond frustrated with BD syringes. :mad: Between the sticky barrel and the other inconsistencies I thought I'd lose my mind. I have been fairly happy with the Sure Comfort syringes...most needles slide easily and, although we still use calipers to measure, the markings tend to be much better and yes they have 1/2 unit markings. I get them from ADW and the price is pretty good. :) I hope you find a solution that works for you soon.
 
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I was really happy with the dose I gave Yum last night. She had a "normal" range AMPS this morning. I am just not sure where to position the plunger on a different BD syringe to replicate that dose exactly, let alone on a different brand syringe. I have spent hours today staring at the syringes and my calipers. My eyes hurt. I need some graph paper with lots of fine lines. I will work through this somehow. She has been doing well---I may be too obsessed with microdose adjustments right now. I will order some different brands of syringes. Of course BD sold me on the short 6mm needle: I don't see those on the vet syringes. My vet uses Ulticare vet syringes, which seem to have a bigger needle (29 gauge vs 31 gauge). I don't want to do that to her! 10 deep breaths. I do have a free box of 100 BD syringes. Thanks for your recommendations.
 
I will say the syringes in the new box that BD gave me through my vet do not have sticky plungers. They slide easily, allowing me to fine tune the dose. Crooked needle hubs and shifted scales may be overcome with calipers: the sticking plunger was the killer. I do like the BD 6mm needle. Not sure that feature is available on the other brands.
 
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