Solution for Dead Space Problem in Ranibizumab Syringe System
Sinan Bilgin *
Department of Ophthalmology, Sifa University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
Ozcan Kayikcioglu
Department of Ophthalmology, Hafsa Sultan Hospital, Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Medicine, Manisa, Turkey
Basak Can
Department of Ophthalmology, Uludag University, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa, Turkey
Fatma Taneli
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Hafsa Sultan, Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Medicine, Manisa, Turkey
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Intravitreal injection of drugs that inhibit the actions of vascular endothelial growth factor bring high economic burden for the health systems. We evaluated the amount of drug volume retained in two different types of syringes with billed and non - billed rubber stopper. Difference between two syringe types is 0.037 g. This indicates a significant amount of volume loss due to dead space between syringe and needle. Consequently, a simple change of design of rubber stopper of the plunger as billed form may reduce significant amount of drug loss due to dead space volume.
Keywords: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, dead space volume