NEEDLE GUARDS

Needle guards are safety equipment to be  used with multijectors (such as AquaJectors, Socorex injectors or Kaycee Injectors) when vaccinating or injecting a large number of fish to help prevent self-injection or other similar injuries. Further information is available and  a video can be ordered.

NEEDLEGARDs are hand machined, tooled from solid Delron™ rod to provide lasting durability in freshwater or marine environments. The wire guards and locking screw are made from stainless steel, to provide similar durability in harsh environments. The entire assembly weighs less than 6 grams! You will never notice any difference in weight or balance when used with any hand injector using standard Luer™ needle mounts. The Delron™ collar is 12.5mm long, 19.5mm in outside diameter, and 9.5mrn in inside diameter (which slips snugly over standard Luer™ needle mounts). The U-shaped guards are set 1 mm. apart. The guards are offset slightly to the outside near the tip to guide them over the ventral area of the fish, and the total length from the collar to the tip is 23mm. The spring steel guards can be bent slightly inward for smaller fish, or outward for larger fish. They should be capable of 10 to 20 "bends" before weakening. The length of the guards was determined from testing with fish from 20 to over 60 grams, with 4mrn and 6mm (needle length) needles to provide protection to the thumb, palm, and first two fingers, and still provide for rapid exchange of needles.

INLAND's Needle Guard is a less expensive alternative to the NEEDLEGARD.  It is constructed using a machined brass collar with 10 gauge copper wire guards. This Needle Guard weighs 14 grams. It is mounted on the injector using a set screw for use on hand injectors using a standard Luer™ needle mount.

Setting the Needle Guards for fish to be injected

Lock a 4 or 6mm needle on the injection gun. Loosen the knurled screw on the Delron™ collar or the set screw on the brass collar. Slip the collar over the Luer™ fitting without tightening the collar screw. Place a typical fish between the guards and press the needle into the body cavity as you would normally. Adjust the collar so that :

1. the offset guards are just over the ventral area and in line with it; and
2. adjust the position of the collar on the Luer™ fitting so that you have the depth of needle penetration that you need, and lock the collar in place with locking screw. You have over sufficient adjustable "play" with the collar for fish from 20 to 100 grams or more with the same length guards.

Changing Needles

Loosen the collar locking screw, and slide it BACKWARD (towards the gun) over the Luer™ fitting. There will be ample room to remove and replace the needle, and less chance of losing your Needle Guard.