Operation Guide
Syringes
15
Syringes
Inspecting A Syringe
Before installing a syringe:
1. Roll the syringe on the edge of a clean flat surface. If the tip of the needle
moves in a circle, straighten the shaft by bending it slightly near where it
connects to the syringe barrel and check it again. See Figure 9.
Figure 9 Syringe needle inspection
2. Check for a rough needle. The needle surface may have closely spaced
concentric ridges that act like a miniature file and abrade pieces of the
septum into the inlet or vial. The ridges are easy to see under 10X
magnification.
If there are ridges, polish the needle by pulling it through a folded piece of
fine emery paper between your finger and thumb until the ridges are gone.
Be careful not to modify the tip of the syringe.
3. Check for a sticky plunger. Slide the plunger of the syringe up and down a
few times. It should move smoothly—without sticking or binding. If it is
sticky, remove the plunger, and clean it with solvent. For more information,
see your Sampling Techniques Handbook.
Bend here if necessary