What is a needle

A needle is a device that is made from two parts: a metal or plastic connector called a hub and a stainless steel tube section which is attached to the hub. The stainless steel section can either be sharp or blunt.

How do you measure a needle's size?

Needle sizes are typically referred to as 'gauge' size. A gauge denotes the outside and inside diameter of the stainless tube that is attached to the hub. Gauge sizes have an inverse relationship to their number e.g., a 30G needle (G=gauge) is much smaller than a 20G needle. For additional answers please go to the Needle Tubing FAQs section.

What materials are needles made from?

Metal hubs are typically made from brass and are nickel plated. Some of our products are made from stainless steel hubs as well (303 and 316). The tubing portion is made from 304 stainless steel and some products from 316 stainless steel.

Are needles tested for 'separation force'?

Needles are typically manufactured and tested to withstand a pull force test. In other words, the force required to separate the hub from the tube portion must exceed x lbs. Pull force requirements depend upon the gauge size of the needles: 9G-17G are tested to 20 lbs., 18G-20G to 15 lbs., 21G-22G to 10 lbs., 23G-24G to 8 lbs., 25G-27G to 5 lbs.

Are needles tested for leaks?

Needles must be sealed in the area connecting the hub to the tubing portion. Most needles are tested for leaks and must pass a 45 psi water pressure test.

What is a blunt needle?

A blunt needle has no sharp point. The tube portion is cut in a 90-degree angle.

What is regular medical point?

Regular medical point (also known as 'lancet point') is the sharpest point available for hypodermic needles. The tubing portion is typically ground at a 15-degree angle creating a sharp cutting edge. An "A" bevel needle is ground at a 12 degree angle.

Are needles passivated?

Passivation is a chemical treatment performed on stainless steel to remove any free irons on the material surface that could cause corrosion. All standard catalog needles are mildly passivated during our wash cycle. If additional passivation is required (to ASTM-967 Method E standards), a special order is required. Our wash system has been validated as meeting the Cleanliness, Limits of Acidity & Alkalinity & Limits for Extractable Metals per ISO 7864 (Sections 4,5,& 6). In addition, parts washed per our procedure have been tested as Pyrogen Free.

What are procedure needles?

Procedure needles are manufactured for use in specific medical procedures. While does not offer a standard line of procedure needles in our catalog, we can custom manufacturer procedure needles to your design.

Do you manufacture custom needles?

Yes. Cadence's custom manufactures needles to customers' specifications. We can modify any of our standard needles or make a new needle to your specifications. Cadence is also a leading OEM needles manufacturer and our needles are used in today's leading medical device solutions.

Do you manufacture disposable/plastic hub needles?

Yes. Custom plastic hub needles can be manufactured for OEMs on an as needed basis.

What are Animal Feeding / Gavage Needles?

Animal Feeding Needles (AFN), or as they are also commonly referred to as Gavage Needles, are needles with a ball affixed to the tip of the needles. These needles are used to introduce food directly into the animal's stomach. The ball is designed to prevent accidental rupture of the esophagus. Cadence manufactures both re-usable AFNs and disposable ones. 

What is the minimum order for custom needles and what is a typical delivery?

For most custom needles our minimum order is 1 dozen (12 each) needles. Typical delivery for custom needles is 4-6 weeks. We also offer an expedited service reducing the lead-time to 2-3 weeks. Custom needles requiring special materials (non-stock tubing) will experience lead times of 8 weeks or more. Minimum quantity may also increase due to special-run requirements by tubing mills.

Can needles be coated to enhance durability and corrosion prevention?

Yes. Cadence offers a variety of coating options: PTFE coating to increase lubricity and isolate tubing from corrosive material,s Parylene coating, all of the above including electrical insulation, Ceramic-like coating (Our PSX coating series) similar to the above but with greatly enhanced durability of the coating.

What are Non-Coring Needles? Non-Coring Septum-Penetration or Huber Style Needles?

Non-Coring needles are sharp needles with the heel of the needle has been 'sandblasted' to minimize coring. Non-Coring-Septum-Penetration Needles feature a deflected point (the tip is raised above the centerline to minimize contact with tissue or media). Huber is a trademark of the Becton Dickinson (BD) company.

Cadence offers some specialty needles that are used in similar applications.  These products are referred to as deflected point or deflected tip. 

What is a Stylet/Obturator?

A stylet or obturator is a solid rod, with a metal hub which is ground or "fitted" to match the bevel of the needle (called a matched-set). Stylets are introduced with the needle to prevent cutting a "core" or "tissue plug." Stylets are also commonly used to 'clean' or free needles from any possible dirt or occlusion.

What is a bevel?

A bevel is the angled surface formed on the tube when sharpened to make a needle point. A typical medical point consists of three bevels: The primary bevel which is the surfaced formed as a result of grinding the tube at a specific angle, and two side bevels which are secondary grinds on each side of the primary bevel to form a sharp needle point and cutting edge. For short bevel needles, the secondary bevels are ground on the underside of the flat bevel - these are called back-bevels. Bevel length is the longest distance of a bevel, measured from the tip of the needle to the most proximate area of grinding behind the heel. Side Bevel Length is measured between (1) the juncture of side bevel and the outside surface of tubing, and (2) the tip of the needle. Measured from the tip of the needle to the start of the bevel (heel of the bevel) in a line parallel to the axis of cannula. A-Bevel = 12 degree point, B-Bevel =18 degree point, C-Bevel = 30 degree point.

How do you define needle length?

A needle's length is the exposed portion of cannula measured from the junction with the hub and the tip of point. The overall needle length is the distance from the tip of the point to the end of the hub.

What is GG-N-196?

Federal Specification Amendment-5, April 10,1947 for needles, hypodermic and Luer syringes. Provides full details on needles and syringes.

What is the difference between a French size and Gauge?

French is a unit of measure (similar to gauges) used mostly with catheters. 1 French equals .01312" diameter. Therefore, a 5 French catheter would be ..066" diameter.

Can Cadence needles be autoclaved?

All standard Cadence Science needles are autoclavable. It is important to note that proper cleaning of needles prior to sterilization is crucial to maintaining a consistent cosmetic quality and preventing discoloration or other consequences of uncleaned needles. However, some discoloration of the metal may occur after numerous sterilization cycles.

What are malleable / annealed needles?

Malleable/annealed needles feature a 'soft' tube that allows some manipulation/bending of the shaft. This process is achieved by 'annealing' the tubing prior to connecting the hub. All Cadence Science needles are made from 304 stainless steel full hard tubing. Annealed / malleable needles can be ordered on a custom basis.

Is Cadence ISO certified?

Cadence is ISO 13485 certified. Consult our Cadence Science catalog or call our customer service department for additional information.

What are fine gauge needles?

Fine gauge needles are made from very fine stainless steel tubing. Cadence Science offers a line of fine gauge needles, including 30G-33G needles. These needles are used in delicate laboratory applications as well as in dermatology (Sclerotherapy). 32G-33G needles are shipped with a stylet wire to ensure the needle is free of occlusion.

Do you sell needles to individuals?

As an FDA registered company, Cadence sells only to professionals in the medical industry such as doctors, hospitals or authorized distributors. Our needles are not intended for human use  and are sold to research and laboratory professionals or distributors. 

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