Uniject Nonreusable Syringe

Target SDGs

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Community, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The Uniject device is licensed to Becton Dickinson. BD manufactures and distributes Uniject to vaccine and pharmaceutical producers which then are given to public health programs. Hepatitis B vaccine and tetanus toxoid are available from manufacturers in India and Indonesia.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Mass produced in Singapore with a fully automated, high-volume production line.

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

Public health programs receive the Uniject pre-filled syrignes from vaccine or pharmaceutical producers The cost of the vaccine or drug may or may not be passed on to the patients depending on the program.

Distributions to Date Status

Over 9 million doses of tetanus toxoid vaccine and 75 million doses of hepatitis B vaccine delivered as of March 2014.

Design Specifications

The Uniject is a small bubble of plastic attached to a needle. The small bubble is filled with a single dose of medication. The device measures about 27mm wide and 90mm long. The vaccine reservoir can hold approximately 0.6mL of medication. There is a disc valve to discourage reuse of the device and an isolation barrier to maintain sterility of the vaccine. The needle shield and port maintains needle sterility. The needle can vary based on depth delivery requirements. The optimal size for intramuscular injection is 1 inch long with a 23 gauge.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

N/A as this is a single use device. Can be used for self-injections and by those who do not normally give injections.

Replacement Components

N/A. No separate components and not meant to be reused

Lifecycle

Single use device meant to be disposed after one use. Overall biohazard disposal costs should be lower in comparison to traditional syringes because of decreased weight of syringe.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Reduces risk of contamination. Maintains sterility of the vaccine and discourages attempts to refill the reservoir. Accurate dose, less buffer stock required and minimizes vaccine wastage. Less overall volume for transport, storage, and disposal. The device is simple enough that health workers can learn to use it after less than two hours of training. This saves health worker time and can be used by lesser-trained health workers.

Vetted Performance Status

PATH conducted a literature review to identify published and gray literature reporting international experiences with Uniject. This summary synthesizes the experience and evidence on the use of Uniject worldwide with medicines such as the injectable contraceptive Cyclofem®, hepatitis B and tetanus toxoid vaccines, as well as the drug oxytocin, which is used to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. The research findings indicated that Uniject is: -- Easier than a standard syringe: Health providers find Uniject easier to use than a standard syringe, reporting that it is safer, poses less risk of needlestick, and contains the correct dose. For example, midwives in Indonesia who used Uniject to deliver 10,000 hepatitis B vaccines during a ten-month period expressed a preference for the device over a standard syringe. Ninety-nine percent (139 out of 140) of providers in Mali who were surveyed said they preferred Uniject to a standard syringe for administering oxytocin. -- Less painful and intimidating than a standard syringe: Health providers and clients prefer Uniject to a standard syringe as it caused less discomfort. For example, among 30 pregnant women in Bolivia who received injections of tetanus toxoid with Uniject, 50 percent said it was less painful than previous injections received via a conventional syringe, 10 percent reported the pain was comparable to a conventional syringe, and 7 percent said it was more painful. -- Training time is short: Health workers can learn to use Uniject in a short time through peer-led or self guided trainings and materials. -- Safe for self-injection: Health providers say women can safely and correctly give themselves injections with the device. -- Generates less waste: Uniject generates less waste than a traditional needle and syringe. -- Saves time: Use of Uniject requires less time and fewer physical motions by health providers.

Safety

Sharps disposal systems are required as part of use process.

Complementary Technical Systems

Vaccine storage system to maintain appropriate temperatures.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

WHO has pre-qualified both TT and hepatitis B vaccine in the Uniject device.

Evaluation methods

Clinical trials, patient and user feedback

Other Information

Unknown.