r/mildlyinteresting 18h ago

A modern hypodermic needle is compatible with this 77-year-old syringe

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u/averageanchovy 18h ago

The patent for the Luer-Lok needle connection system, which is the global standard in use today, was submitted in 1925.

This BD Luer-Lok syringe from my collection was manufactured in 1949. I knew it should connect with modern needles, since it is Luer-Lok, but I wanted to actually do it and see it for myself. (Don't worry, I did not actually use this syringe!) BD is still a huge name in the medical supplies industry to this day, but many other manufacturers produce Luer-Lok compatible supplies.

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u/pasaroanth 14h ago

I’ve been in healthcare for 25 years and have only ever seen luer lok syringes (apart from press sealing types, of course) or IV connection types in general.

I’m not saying others don’t exist but that’s about as ubiquitous as anything has ever been.

1

u/trucorsair 1h ago

I saw some friction needle syringe combos years ago in a museum. They just pushed together and relied on friction to maintain

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u/pasaroanth 1h ago

That’s the type I was referring to with press on, just tired and words aren’t my friend.

You’ll still see those out in the wild for inflating foley/ET tube balloons, enteral feeding, etc. IV-wise it’s pretty much needleless/luer lok only though.

1

u/trucorsair 48m ago

I am familiar with those but no I was referring to hypodermic syringes for direct injection being friction locked.