BD Tuberculin Syringe (1 mL; 21 G × 1″; PrecisionGlide Detachable Needle)

A BD (Becton Dickinson) Tuberculin Syringe is a sterile, single-use syringe designed for precise, small-volume injections. It has a 1 mL barrel with clear graduated markings (typically in 0.01 mL increments) to ensure accurate dosing of very small volumes. This particular model includes a PrecisionGlide® detachable needle (21 gauge × 1 inch) that is thin-walled and tri-beveled for smoother penetration. The syringe is sized and calibrated for intradermal (e.g. Tuberculosis skin test) and other injections requiring high precision.

Key Specifications and Features

• Volume: 1 mL (typically graduated in 0.01 mL increments for fine accuracy).
• Needle Gauge/Length: 21 gauge (≈0.8 mm wide) by 1 inch. A 21G needle is moderately thin (used for many injections) and the 1″ length reaches subcutaneous or intramuscular tissue.
• Needle Type: Detachable PrecisionGlide® needle (BD’s conventional needle). PrecisionGlide needles have a thin-wall, triple-bevel design with a bonded lubricant that eases penetration and improves dosing accuracy.
• Tip: Luer slip (non-locking) tip – the needle seats firmly but is not threaded. The detachable hub allows the needle to be separated from the barrel after use.
• Sterility: Supplied sterile and intended for single use only. BD notes the syringe is a “single-use device” with “bold and clear scale markings”. After use, the entire syringe (needle attached) must be disposed in a sharps container.
• Construction: The needle is stainless steel (color-coded for 21G), the barrel is transparent plastic, and the plunger has a soft gasket for smooth movement. The hub is typically green-coded for 21G. The syringe is disposable and comes in boxes (e.g. 100 per box, 800 per case).

Uses and Applications

Tuberculin syringes like this one are primarily used for very precise small-volume injections. Common applications include:

• Tuberculin (Mantoux) Skin Test: Injecting small doses of purified protein derivative (PPD) intradermally to test for tuberculosis. These tests require accurate delivery of typically 0.01–0.1 mL of solution.
• Allergy Testing: Intradermal allergy shots use tiny amounts (allergen extracts) to identify sensitivities. The fine gradations of a 1 mL tuberculin syringe allow precise dosing.
• Veterinary Testing: Induction of TB tests in cattle or skin test in small animals. Veterinarians use tuberculin syringes for intradermal bovine tuberculosis testing and for administering small doses to pets.
• Other Small-Dose Injections: Any medical or research situation needing ≤1 mL injections with high accuracy, such as hormone or hormone-based injections, micro-dosing, and certain vaccinations in specialty cases.

Tuberculin syringes differ from standard syringes (3 mL or larger) in their slender barrel and fine graduations, which enhance measurement of tiny volumes. Unlike insulin syringes (which use “units” markings), tuberculin syringes use milliliters (mL) and are optimized for doses up to 1 mL.

PrecisionGlide Needle Technology

The included BD PrecisionGlide™ detachable needle has several design features:

• Thin-Wall Construction: The needle shaft walls are thinner than standard, which increases the internal lumen. This means fluid flows more easily and injection force is reduced. It also minimizes dead space (residual fluid left in the needle) for more accurate dosing.
• Tri-Bevel Tip: The needle point has three cutting facets. This multi-faceted bevel sharpens the tip and facilitates easier, less traumatic insertion through skin or muscle, improving patient comfort and dose accuracy.
• Lubricated (Micro-Bonded): BD’s needles are treated with a bonded lubricant that further smooths the needle’s passage through tissue.
• Stainless Steel, Sterile: Medical-grade stainless steel avoids corrosion; each needle is sterile and hermetically sealed until use.

These features support “ease of penetration” and “improve dosage accuracy” while reducing patient discomfort. (The Great Oak Medical listing notes, for example, “PrecisionGlide™ needles help improve dosage accuracy".)

Safety and Handling

• Single Use Only: This syringe is disposable. Never reuse a syringe or needle. Reuse risks infection to the patient and contaminates the dose. In fact, global health guidelines (WHO) push 100% single-use disposable syringes for injections .
• Sterility: Before use, check the packaging to ensure it’s intact and sterile. Use aseptic technique when handling. The package indicates “sterile if package is sealed” and do not use if damaged.
• Needle Detachment: The needle can be snapped off and removed from the syringe for disposal if needed. However, since this is a non-safety syringe, it should be discarded as one unit (needle attached) into a sharps container immediately after use. Never recap or reuse the needle.
• Sharps Disposal: Used syringes and needles are biohazardous. Dispose of the entire unit in an approved sharps container. Do not put used syringes in regular trash. Proper disposal prevents needle-stick injuries and infection transmission.
• For Professional Use: This device is intended for healthcare professionals or trained individuals. It is designed for intradermal/subcutaneous injection and should be used according to medical guidelines. (Again, do not reuse per WHO injection safety rules .)

Summary

In summary, the BD 1 mL Tuberculin Syringe with 21G × 1″ PrecisionGlide needle is a sterile, high-precision syringe system for administering very small fluid volumes. It is commonly used for Mantoux TB skin tests, allergy testing, veterinary skin tests, and other situations requiring 0.01–1.0 mL injections. Key features include a fine calibrated barrel for accurate measurement and a thin-wall, multi-bevel PrecisionGlide needle for smoother penetration. It is single-use only and should be handled with standard medical precautions to ensure safety and accuracy.