Ampoule cutter to prevent accidents and also glass entering the ampoule

[Noelnoel]

Someone on here very kindly recommended an opener for glass ampoules that prevents the glass dust entering the ampoule but I can’t find the post or remember the person’s name

[Nackapan]

I use a 'snap it 'ampoule opener

[Noelnoel in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you. Looks a good one

[Helliborous]

Hi there, I have just ordered some filter needles from UKMEDI for the same reason, they arrived very quickly really good service

[Noelnoel in reply to Helliborous]

Thank you. Will take a look

[Noelnoel in reply to Helliborous]

Just looked but not sure what to go for or how they work

Do you draw up with the filter and the somehow swap to an injection needle

[Wheat in reply to Noelnoel]

Hello, yes put the filter needle onto the syringe and draw up liquid from ampule, then remove this needle (discard) and replace with the needle chosen for injection. x

[wedgewood]

Go on Amazon.co.uk and look for “Snap it ampoule opener . “ They are only in plastic now . ( £16.00) i have a metal one .

[Jillymo in reply to wedgewood]

Hang on to it in future years it might be worth a bob or two and you can sell it on Flog it. I might invest in one I find some of the ampouls 'not all' but some very hard to open.......either that or I am getting very weak.

[Noelnoel in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you. Metal ones still available

[EiCa in reply to Noelnoel]

I think investing in a metal one is worth it if you can get it. I have more confidence with the metal ones. More expensive but my peace of mind was worth it. Amazon about 2-3 years ago.

[Noelnoel in reply to EiCa]

Thank you

[Baggy8]

My little plastic sna0er from Amazon, just under £5 is magic 😉

[Wheat]

Hello, I use plastic Safe Snap Amp Snapper from Ebay, but Amazon sells it too. Price £3.99 but now some sellers cheaper. Easy to use, effective, and very inexpensive.

[Noelnoel in reply to Wheat]

Thank you wheat

[Noelnoel in reply to Wheat]

Thank you wheat

[MorningMist]

The metal ampoule snappers are good for a clean break but to really prevent glass fragments you do need to use a filter needle.

I did have a research article where they showed photos of different types of ampoule and nearly all of them created fine glass particles when opened. The conclusion was that filter needles should be used in hospitals, and safety training given. If I find the article I’ll post it.

[Noelnoel in reply to MorningMist]

That would be great, thank you

I’m sold on the idea though just not clear on which to buy and wondered if the filter needle then has to be swapped to administer the injection

[MorningMist in reply to Noelnoel]

Yes as mentioned by Wheat you do have to change the filter needle for the size you want to inject with. They couldn’t possibly be used as they are quite blunt and about the size of a darning needle!

It’s reassuring to use one but does create more waste unfortunately. Maybe that and the extra cost puts some off using one.

[Noelnoel in reply to MorningMist]

My brain is clearly done for! I’ve just ordered the ampoule cutter and realise I don’t need one. I’ll be using the powdered methyl with saline that comes out of a plastic bottle!

I don’t need the blunt needle either. Apologies for wasting everyone’s time

[Nackapan in reply to MorningMist]

Filter needles are never used in a doctors surgery

[MorningMist in reply to Nackapan]

Yes I know. I was just quoting the recommendation of the article. Maybe it is excessively cautious but they did show enlarged pictures where the glass on a broken ampoule was clearly not as smooth as it appears to the naked eye.

[Bellabab]

I take a 2ml syringe and pull the plunger part out of the outer cylinder. This outer cylinder fits over the crack-off end of the ampules. This gives a large increased leverage making it much easier to crack off the end. I have at times used a short length of aluminium tube over the opposite, longer end of the ampoule as well and these two together increase leverage even more.

Quite good fun to try various kinds of tube and find out the best for you.

Never seen a filter needle used in a clinical setting though - so its clearly not really needed.

[Noelnoel in reply to Bellabab]

Thank you, sounds complicated though. At least to me, someone who is getting to grips with the terminology, types of equipment, different syringes, working out which type of B12 is best

Never seen a filter needle used in a clinical setting though - so its clearly not really needed

Er… given that many of us don’t even get the care and treatment we need from the nhs I very much doubt we can say the filter isn’t used because it isn’t needed. Unfortunately

[Twaddletop]

I got one from Amazon.

[Noelnoel in reply to Twaddletop]

Thank you

[pinkpaddleboarder]

Oh gosh I've never used a filter needle!? Should I be using one?

[MorningMist in reply to pinkpaddleboarder]

Some people think they’re a good idea. I use them but most people don’t and as pointed out above hospitals and gp surgeries don’t either.

I find them useful as sometimes I touch the inside of the ampoule with the needle tip. Some people use a different needle for drawing up for that reason.

[pinkpaddleboarder in reply to MorningMist]

I use 2 needles, 1 for drawing up and 1 to inject. Just worried about glass particles now.

[Noelnoel in reply to MorningMist]

Thank you

I find them useful as sometimes I touch the inside of the ampoule with the needle tip

I’m new to all this. What’s the problem with needle tip touching ampoule?

[Sea-blue in reply to Noelnoel]

If you are using a drawing up needle no problem at all. I personally would never use the same needle for injecting and drawing up. As mentioned earlier, drawing up needle are never meant for injecting. They are blunt and bigger ouch ouch and ouch . Some people use an injecting needle for drawing up and injecting. I wouldn’t do that in case I blunted the end of the needle on the bottom of the ampoule . I use filtered drawing up needles too. I change the needles each time as alot of others do

[Noelnoel in reply to Sea-blue]

Informative. Thank you

[MorningMist]

I don’t think touching the inside is the main issue, it’s more if you’re not careful you could blunt the fine tip. Depends how dexterous you are.

With my first injections I was visibly shaking with nerves. Some people can hold the ampoule tipped up in one hand with the syringe in the other. I usually place the ampoule on a flat surface and draw up that way, but it means I have to place the needle close to the bottom of the ampoule where I could touch the glass.

Professionals and anyone who does it frequently are a lot more skilled. That’s all 🙂