3ml Pen Injector Pre Purged Vial: Thoughts?

[Romulusguy]

For the first several weeks of my peptide adventures I used Easy Touch insulin needles. It only took a few injections before I lost the fear and anticipation of injecting myself. However, I soon discovered the more precise dosing and zero pain of injection pens, and now I transfer all of my reconstructed peptides into 3ml pen vials. The process is fairly simple, following peptidecritic's excellent instructions, but it is somewhat wasteful if done correctly/safely. It requires a needle to intake the reconstituted peptides, a vent needle for the new pen cartridge vial, and a new needle to transfer the fluid into the pen vial. Once the vial is filled and loaded into my pen, I add a needle and then "purge" the empty space until a few drops squirt out of the end of the needle.

Today, I stumbled across these steam sterilized "pre purged" vials: https://www.pen-depot.com/products/...d-3-ml-long-stopper-pen-cartridges-single-use

While this makes perfect sense and seems like a great option, I am curious what you all think about the possibility of contamination from that long open space that will soon be filled with liquid as the internal plunger moves down due to pressure. Peptidecritic talks about this process, and it's potential contamination dangers, in his DIY pre-purge video, however in peptidecritic's video, he is discussing using a DIY method, whereas these vials I am discussing are sterilized after pre-purging the vial.

So my question: in these sterilized, pre purged vials, Is the risk of contamination greater, less than, or equal to my current method of using multiple (clean/fresh) needles to vent and transfer into a "non purged" vial. That is, do these pre-purged sterile vials pose any additional risk of contaminating the sterile internal environment than using my current method of filling "non purged" 3ml pen vials? What do you think?

 

[randompersonrandom]

I tried pre-purge-then-fill, which some people here generally like. It was nice to not have to vent the cart and a little less hassle, but I quit it and went back to venting the cart and not doing that. I'm already filtering and working really hard to keep sterile, it seems silly to maybe un-do that by filling into a cart that's been exposed to the air, so my personal choice is to not mess around too hard.

 

[javajoe316]

Thanks @Romulusguy and @randompersonrandom I just purchased some v4 pens that are coming today, and was sort of going through the process in my head. It does seem wasteful, to use 1 luer lock for recon, 1 filter, 1 luer lock, 1 syringe for venting to transfer to new vial. Then like you said a pen needle to purge air.
If you were loading 2 new pen vials, you can't really reuse any of these, right?

 

[Romulusguy]

I tried pre-purge-then-fill, which some people here generally like. It was nice to not have to vent the cart and a little less hassle, but I quit it and went back to venting the cart and not doing that. I'm already filtering and working really hard to keep sterile, it seems silly to maybe un-do that by filling into a cart that's been exposed to the air, so my personal choice is to not mess around too hard.

Those are my sentiments as well. I always filter after reconstituting, and I am BIG on safety/cleanliness. My only hesitation with completely dismissing these cartridges is the sterilization: I'm wondering if it's any riskier using these than, say, the "risk" of using multiple needles that have (albeit briefly) been exposed to the air, for venting and transfer, when using non-purged vials.

 

[randompersonrandom]

Thanks @Romulusguy and @randompersonrandom I just purchased some v4 pens that are coming today, and was sort of going through the process in my head. It does seem wasteful, to use 1 luer lock for recon, 1 filter, 1 luer lock, 1 syringe for venting to transfer to new vial. Then like you said a pen needle to purge air.
If you were loading 2 new pen vials, you can't really reuse any of these, right?

I do reuse if it's the same peptide in the same session. It's going from in a sterile cart that was wiped down with alcohol to a sterile cart that was wiped down with alcohol. When I do KLOW, it's 12 ml, so 4 carts; one vent needle gets used for all four, and I use a 13mm filter that will do the entire amount.

 

[Dilbert4Life]

I'm about to order some needles and syringes for preparing cartridges. What size needles and syringes do you get?

 

[Romulusguy]

I'm about to order some needles and syringes for preparing cartridges. What size needles and syringes do you get?

For standard insulin needles: I use the 1ml Easy Comfort 31G 1cc 5/16". I get mine from the diabetic warehouse. These are the BEST insulin needles you can buy.

For the 3ml pen cartirdges, you can really use any size needle for venting; I have been using a 20 gauge for venting. To draw out the solution and transfer, I use an 18 gauge. Don't forget your 13mm filters!

 

[Estarossa19]

I'm about to order some needles and syringes for preparing cartridges. What size needles and syringes do you get?

I went with a kit from underground supply and was happy with the results. I'm going to go ahead and just buy a bunch in bulk from amazon now that I have an understanding of whats needed. Comes with some hospira as well.

 

[desinr-gal]

For standard insulin needles: I use the 1ml Easy Comfort 31G 1cc 5/16". I get mine from the diabetic warehouse. These are the BEST insulin needles you can buy.

For the 3ml pen cartirdges, you can really use any size needle for venting; I have been using a 20 gauge for venting. To draw out the solution and transfer, I use an 18 gauge. Don't forget your 13mm filters!

Heads up: a study showed that needle guages below 22? I think caused coring. i.e. a core of rubber stopper getting removed and ending up in your peptide.
I wouldnt go lower than 25 myself.. also insert at an angle which lessens likelihood.

 

[yrrdead]

Heads up: a study showed that needle guages below 22? I think caused coring. i.e. a core of rubber stopper getting removed and ending up in your peptide.
I wouldnt go lower than 25 myself.. also insert at an angle which lessens likelihood.

Fragmentation and coring of a vial – An avoidable threat - PMC

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov