With an aim to design leak-proof syringes, Hermann Luer, a German instrument maker, experimented with the tips of the syringes and introduced what is now called luer lock syringes. Since then, the syringes have been classified into two categories i.e. a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes.
A luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes are essential for intravenous medication delivery
In this article, let us understand what both of these are, how they work, and what are the key differences between a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringe.
What is a Luer Lock Syringe?
In a luer lock syringe, the tip of the syringe has two parts. One is an external thread while the other is called an internal thread and is smaller in diameter than its outer covering. This assembly is called a luer.
This luer can be defined as a male-taper fitting that gets connected to the needle when both are screwed together. Once the needle is placed on the internal thread, it is rotated clockwise to lock it in place while an anticlockwise rotation leads to detachment of the two.
Advantages of Luer Lock Syringes
The following section highlights some of the advantages and benefits of luer lock syringes:
Secure Strong Connection
Between a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes, the prior ones are known for having a secure connection to the needle. His stronger fitting also ensures that the needle and the syringe can tolerate high pressure without leaking the liquid medication contained in the syringe.
Minimum Risk of Detachment
As the connection between the needle and syringe tips is made by a secure, tight-fit bond, the risk of their accidental detachment is minimized.
Better Syringe Control
In addition, this secure connection also ensures that the user has full control over the needle. This makes the injection of fluids easy. The medical staff can also take blood samples with great accuracy using syringes with a luer fitting system.
Uses of Luer Lock Syringes
Luer lock syringes are employed for the following purposes:
- The administration of vaccines is done by using luer lock syringes.
- Insulin syringes are also one of the different types of syringes with a luer locking mechanism.
- Antibiotic administration is another benefit of these products for the management of infectious diseases.
- Certain liquid medications can be delivered directly into the bloodstream by employing luer lock syringes.
Common types of needles can take larger volumes of liquid medications
What is a Non-Luer Lock Syringe or Luer Slip Syringe?
Non-luer lock syringes are also known as luer slip syringes. Instead of having a luer lock tip, these come with a luer slip tip which attaches a needle through a friction-fit connection. For this purpose, the needle hub is placed on the tip of the non-luer lock syringe and pushed downwards while twisting to achieve a very tight fit bond.
Advantages of a Luer Slip Syringe
The following are some of the advantages of luer slip syringes:
Easy Needle Attachment
When it comes to differentiating the advantages of a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes, the advantages of the former are many. For instance, the luer slip syringes are easy to connect with a needle. This is because the needles fit effortlessly to the non luer joint without much force. There is no need to rotate the needle clockwise or anticlockwise as necessary for luer lock fitting.
Compatibility with Medical Devices
In certain tubing systems or valves employed in healthcare, the connecting mechanism is so designed that these can only take a luer slip syringe. Therefore, these products are high in demand when are to be used in connection with other medical supplies.
Cost-Effective Option
When a comparison is made between a luer lock syringe vs non-luer syringes, the cost is also a key concern. The luer slip syringes are cheaper and therefore more budget-friendly.
Uses of Non-Luer Lock Syringes
The following are some of the uses of non-luer lock syringes:
- Between a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes, the latter ones are comparatively easy to use as changing the needle is uncomplicated and quick.
- Luer slip syringes are required when there is a need to connect multiple adaptors with a single fluid.
- Oral syringes often have luer slip tips. However, these do not receive a needle as there is no need for a needle for oral medication delivery.
Needles are screwed with the luer lock to secure it in place
Luer Lock Syringe vs Non-Luer Lock Syringes: What are the Differences?
Despite the similarity of barrel and plunger, a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringe differs in many ways. These are enlisted as follows:
Shape of the Syringe Tip
The major difference between a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringe is the shape of the syringe end. The luer lock syringes have a wider tip with two threads while the non luer lock syringes come with a single thread. Moreover, the luer lock syringes have a locking collar that can receive a hypodermic needle. This collar is absent in luer slip syringes.
Needle Placement Method
Both the luer lock and luer slip syringes can take needles but in different ways. The tip of the luer lock syringes requires the twisting and rotating of the needle for its precise placement. On the contrary, a luer slip syringe requires attaching a needle by simply manually slipping it into place. The mechanism involved here is the friction-fit connection process.
Ease of Usage
When it comes to using a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes, the latter is easy to use. This is because these syringes can take a needle easily and quickly as compared to the luer lock syringes.
Medical Applications
Between a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes, the luer lock syringes are ideal for taking fluid samples. In addition, these also come with a minimum risk of scratches. However, the luer slip syringes are suitable for liquid medication delivery.
In addition, the following table highlights some other differences between a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes:
| Parameters | Luer Lock Syringes | Non-Luer Lock Syringes |
| Locking Mechanism | Firm and secure | Absent |
| Fitting System | Screw-fit mechanism | Friction-fit mechanism |
| Time Consumption | High | Low |
| Needle Change | Takes time to unscrew | Quick and easy |
| Response to High Pressure | Remain intact | The risk of joint burst is high |
Syringes are also suitable for administering intramuscular injections
Luer Lock Syringe vs Non-Luer Lock Syringes at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
Syringes are essential medical equipment needed in every healthcare facility. These are required for intravenous administration of liquid medications. In addition, syringes are common instruments required for taking samples of blood and other body fluids.
Both a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes are available in the US market as their demand is high. Some of the luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:
Sol-Millennium P180005NSB Sol-M 5ml Luer Lock Syringe w/o Needle (bulk, non-sterile) (1600/CS)
US$160.99
Product Details
Sol-Millennium P180005NSB Sol-M 5ml is a luer lock syringe that comes without a needle. The products are non-sterile and come in bulk packaging. Their barrels are highly transparent which allows the inspection of the contents of the syringe.
The movement of the plunger of these Sol-Millennium P180005NSB Sol-M 5 ml is smooth due to the silicone lubricant applied to it. The finger grips are also larger which renders the control of the syringe easy. In addition, the backstop of the plunger enables the user to prevent the accidental withdrawal of the syringe during usage.
Sol-Millennium P180030NSB Sol-M 30ml Luer Lock Syringe w/o Needle (bulk, non-sterile) (300/CS)
Sol-Millennium P180030NSB Sol-M 30ml Luer Lock Syringe w/o Needle (bulk, non-sterile) (300/CS)
US$107.49
Product Details
Sol-Millennium P180030NSB Sol-M 30 ml luer lock syringe without needles are non-sterile syringes. These are transparent and have been prepared using non-toxic plastic. Their primary use is for the delivery of liquid medication via intravenous route.
These Sol-Millennium P180030NSB Sol-M 30 ml luer lock syringes can be easily controlled during usage as the risk of medication leakage is near zero.
Sol-Millennium 161000LL Sol-M 1ml Insulin Syringe Luer Lock w/o needle (low dead space tip, orange plunger) (800/CS)
Sol-Millennium 161000LL Sol-M 1ml Insulin Syringe Luer Lock w/o needle (low dead space tip, orange plunger) (800/CS)
US$254.99
Product Details
Sol-Millennium 161000LL Sol-M 1 ml insulin syringe luer lock without a needle is a product that is extremely easy to use. It has a low dead space tip along with an orange plunger. The construction material is plastic but completely free from natural rubber latex, PVC, as well as DEHP.
These Sol-Millennium 161000LL Sol-M 1 ml luer lock insulin syringes are CE-marked as well. Their appearance is clear which makes the markings easy to read. Moreover, when the safety mechanism is activated, the product gives both a visual and an audible confirmation.
Sol-Millennium 1851815B Sol-M 5mL Luer Lock Syringe with Blunt Fill Needle 18 Gauge 1-1/2 Inch (800/CS)
US$199.88
Product Details
Sol-Millennium 1851815B Sol-M 5 mL luer lock syringe comes with a blunt fill 18 gauge needle which has a length of 11/2 inches. The body of the syringe is transparent and well-controlled. The silicone-based lubrication of the plunger allows the movement to become smooth and friction-free.
These Sol-Millennium 1851815B Sol-M 5 mL luer lock syringes come in blister packaging. Their construction material is polypropylene which is safe. The products are also disposable and need to be disposed of after a single use.
26281 Excel Syringe, Luer Slip with Cap, 20-25CC, CS500
26281 EXCEL SYRINGE, LUER SLIP W/ CAP, 20-25CC, CS500
US$98.88
Product Details
26281 Excel syringes have luer slip tips and come with protective caps. These have a capacity of 20 to 25 cubic centimeters (cc). The products are sterile and single-use. The clarity of the barrel allows visualization of the contents.
Moreover, the smoothness of the plunger ensures that the intravenous delivery of medications is precise. The construction material is non-toxic and latex-free plastic. Due to the protective cap in the tip, the risk of contamination is also lowered.
BD 309656 General Purpose Syringe BD™ 3 mL Blister Pack Luer Slip Tip Without Safety BX/200
US$42.88
Product Details
BD 309656 general-purpose syringes by BD™ have a capacity of 3 mL and come in blister packs. These have luer slip tips which ease the attachment of a needle. The black markings on the barrel of the syringe allow the user to measure the liquid medication accurately.
Moreover, these BD 309656 general-purpose syringes have a translucent plunger. The product is sterile and comes without safety. The style of the syringe is flat top and the product can be used only once because of being disposable.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
Non-luer lock syringes have a risk of joint bursting upon high-pressure
All the luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes mentioned in this article, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes.
Conclusion
Both the luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes is essential in healthcare because of their different applications. These differ primarily because of the shape of the syringe tip which takes the needle differently. Apart from many differences between a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes, both have their own uses and applications.
Considering their high application, both the luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes should be stocked up. For purchasing different kinds of a luer lock syringe vs non-luer lock syringes, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
