Particulate matter present in 4 different syringe systems

After testing 4 different syringe systems to measure intrinsic particle loads, researchers determined that silicone-free transfer syringes lubricated with oleamide appear associated with visible particle formation after 30 and 60 days of storage, according to a presentation at the 2020 ASRS Virtual Meeting.
In this study, a siliconized polypropylene insulin syringe, a silicone-free polypropylene syringe lubricated with oleamide, a glass prefilled syringe lubricated with baked-on silicone oil, and a silicone-free/lubricant-free cyclic olefin polymer (COP) prefilled syringe were either rinsed with water or stored for up to 90 days filled with phosphate buffer.

After rinsing with water, a very high particle count was found in the insulin syringes compared to the silicone-free polypropylene syringes lubricated with oleamide which had substantially lower particle levels. However, overtime particles increased, which the researchers speculated could be due to the migration of the lubricant into the solution.

In the >10 micron size range, particles levels were low in the baked-on silicone glass prefilled syringes and silicone-free / lubricant-free COP prefilled syringes. In the >1 micron size range, COP syringes had the overall lowest particle levels.

Reference
Goldberg R, et al. Particulate matter from syringes used for intravitreal injections. Presented at: 2020 ASRS Virtual Meeting.