Retractable syringes play a crucial role in minimizing needlestick injuries and ensuring safe medication administration. Two leading brands in this space are Wealy and VanishPoint. This article provides an objective analysis of these two brands, highlighting their advantages, disadvantages, and ideal applications.

Wealy Retractable Syringes

Advantages

1. Retractable Technology:

• Wealy retractable syringes feature a mechanism that allows the needle to be manually retracted into the barrel once the plunger reaches the "WARNING" line. This provides some level of protection against needlestick injuries.

2. Different Sizes:

• Wealy offers syringes in different sizes to cater to various clinical needs.

Disadvantages

1. Inaccurate Dosage Measurement:

• The scale on the 1 mL Wealy syringe is highly compressed, with odd 0.01 mL markings on one side of the barrel and even markings on the other. This split-scale design makes accurate dose measurement challenging.
• Additionally, the scale compression prevents measuring and delivering dosages less than 0.1 mL (10 units for insulin syringes), limiting its utility for precision dosing.

2. Non-Compliance with ISO Standards:

• The Wealy 1 mL scale does not comply with ISO 7886-1:2018 standards, which mandate a minimum scale length of 57 mm. The Wealy scale is only 32 mm long, leading to less accurate measurement.

3. Needle Re-engagement and Retraction Issues:

• The plunger can be pushed past the "WARNING" line, causing the needle holder to engage prematurely.
• This may result in accidental manual retraction of the needle into the barrel and even unintentional needle exposure if the plunger is pushed forward again.

Best Suited Applications

• General Injection Use: Suitable for general injection needs where ultra-precise dosing is not essential.
• Settings with Trained Personnel: Requires knowledgeable operators due to scale limitations and needle re-engagement concerns.

VanishPoint Retractable Syringes

Advantages

1. Automated Needle Retraction Technology:

• VanishPoint syringes have an automated needle retraction mechanism that activates when the plunger is fully depressed, ensuring immediate needle retraction into the barrel. This minimizes exposure to contaminated needles and reduces needlestick injuries.

2. Accurate Dosage Measurement:

• VanishPoint syringes feature clear, accurate graduation marks in increments as small as 0.01 mL (1 unit), enabling precise dosing.
• Available in half-unit increments for ultra-small dose delivery, making it ideal for insulin administration.

3. ISO Compliance:

• VanishPoint syringes comply with ISO 7886-1 and ISO 8537 standards, ensuring accurate dose measurement and consistent quality.

4. Wide Needle Options:

• VanishPoint syringes come in various needle lengths (5 mm, 8 mm, and 12.7 mm) to cater to patient preferences and injection requirements.

Disadvantages

1. Higher Cost:

• Automated retraction technology increases the cost of VanishPoint syringes compared to manually retractable alternatives like Wealy.

2. Limited Manual Retraction:

• Users accustomed to manual retraction may find the automatic retraction less flexible.

Best Suited Applications

• Precision Dosing: Ideal for insulin injections or any application requiring precise dosing, thanks to its accurate scale and clear graduations.
• Safety-Oriented Settings: Perfect for healthcare settings prioritizing needlestick injury reduction due to its automated needle retraction.
• Pediatric and Geriatric Use: Suitable for delicate injections due to the availability of short needle lengths (5 mm and 8 mm).

Conclusion

When comparing Wealy and VanishPoint retractable syringes, it's clear that VanishPoint offers superior accuracy, safety, and compliance with ISO standards. While Wealy syringes have some advantages, their compressed scale and needle re-engagement issues limit their utility, particularly in precision dosing contexts.

• Choose VanishPoint for precision, safety, and compliance, particularly in settings requiring accurate medication dosing.
• Opt for Wealy if a more cost-effective, general-purpose retractable syringe is needed and precise dosing is less critical.

Ultimately, the selection between Wealy and VanishPoint syringes should consider the specific clinical requirements, budget constraints, and safety priorities of each healthcare setting.