Syringe, Largest Medical Device Ever DiscoveredKOMPAS.com - Syringes play an important role in the medical field.One of the most vital medical devices has been found in ancient literature in the Greek and Roman times.In fact, during the corona virus pandemic in this century, the role of syringes is very important, especially in vaccination against infection with a new disease, Covid-19.The origin of the syringe in Greek and Roman literature is described as a hollow reed (a type of hollow plant) used for ritually anointing the body with oil, as quoted from the official website of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Monday (21/9/2020) .Also written, this reed as a musical instrument used to change the tone.However, the medical use of a simple piston syringe, which was used to administer ointments and creams, was described by Galen in 129-200 BC.Also read: US Lack of Syringes, Corona Vaccine Immunization Can Be InterruptedAn Egyptian named Ammar bin Ali al-Mawsili also reported the use of glass tubes to perform suction on cataract extraction from around 900 AD.In 1650, Pascal's experiments in hydraulics prompted him to invent the first modern syringe that allowed the infusion of drugs.However, the earliest confirmed experiment in intravenous injection was carried out by Christopher Wren in 1656. Wren used the 'cutting' technique to inject poppy sap intravenously into dogs via a goose down cannula.However, when Drs Major and Esholttz used it in 1660, it was fatal in humans due to ignorance of the appropriate dose and the need to sterilize equipment and infusions.Also read: Why Are Some People Incredibly Afraid of Syringes?As a result, the disastrous consequences of this experiment saw the use of injections being postponed for 200 years.After 200 years had passed the first syringe made of perforated metal was made by Francis Rynd in Dublin in 1844.Syringe technology continued to develop further, in 1853, Charles Pravaz, in France, gave coagulant to sheep.However, it seems that Alexander Wood in Edinburgh tried to combine a functional syringe with a syringe that same year, to inject morphine into humans and should perhaps be credited with inventing the technique.Although syringes continued to evolve, the basic design remained unchanged from interchangeable parts to plastic materials for the manufacture of syringes, causing the use of single-use syringes to become increasingly popular since the mid-1950s.SHUTTERSTOCK Illustration of a syringe, a medical device for injecting drugs into the body intravenously.Perhaps, it can be said that the syringe is the largest medical device ever invented.Syringes have saved many lives and reduced more suffering than any other piece of medical technology.At least, billions of syringes are produced annually as important devices in medicine and other medical fieldsIn 1897, Maxwell W. Becton and Fairleigh S. Dickinson formed a medical equipment import company which they named Becton, Dickinson and Co (BD).Then the following year the company paid 40 dollars to obtain half the patent on a glass syringe developed by H. Wulfing Luer of Paris, as quoted from MDDI.Although the company started by importing syringes, in 1906 it established and started the first production facility in the United States that specialized in the manufacture of syringes and syringes, as well as thermometers.Also read: Eliminate Pain and Trauma, Now There is Circumcision Without SyringesThe next milestone occurred in 1925 when BD introduced its Yale Luer-Lok Syringe.Designed and patented by Dickinson, it provides a simple and safe method of inserting a needle into and removing it.The Luer-lock connector is the standard for syringes in the United States to this day.The first disposable syringe, still made of glass, was patented by Arthur E. Smith.Smith received eight US patents for single-use syringes between 1949 and 1950.However, it was BD who first mass-produced the device, in 1954, for a mass vaccination program.Dr.Jonas Salk used it on one million American children with the new Salk polio vaccine.Also read: Here's How to Overcome Fear of SyringesThe world's first plastic disposable syringe was developed by Roehr Products (Waterbury, CT) in 1955. Called the Monoject, it sold for 5 cents, but at that time doctors still thought it cheaper to sterilize and reuse glass syringes.Although materials have improved and designs have been refined, the disposable syringes used today are almost indistinguishable from those over 50 years ago.New developments such as microneedles and transdermal patches can erode single-use plastic syringe holders that account for the number of microliters of injection.Now, syringes are again playing an important role in saving human lives in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, which has now infected more than 30 million people worldwide with a disease that is Covid-19, which originates from the SARS-CoV-2 virus.We can end the Covid-19 pandemic if we unite against it.History has proven that vaccines have saved the world from pandemics several times.Vaccines are one of the most valuable discoveries in the world of science.Don't hesitate and don't be afraid to get vaccinated.Check vaccination updates.Let's help health workers and our neighbors who are affected by Covid-19.Click here to donate via Kitabisa.Write your comments with the hashtag #JernihBerkomentar and win e-vouchers for 90 winners!Get information and insight selected by Kompas.com editorsDouble check and complete your data.Your data will be used for account verification when you need assistance or when unusual activity is found on your account.Immediately complete your data to join the #JernihBerkomentar program.