Comparing activation and recoil forces generated by epinephrine autoinjectors and their training devices

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Vol. 129; no. 4; pp. 1143 - 1145.e4
• Main Authors: Jacobsen, Ryan C., MD, Guess, Trent M., PhD, Burks, A. Wesley, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-04-2012; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Allergy and Immunology; Anaphylaxis - drug therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Epinephrine - administration & dosage; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Immunopathology; Injections - instrumentation; Injections - methods; Medical sciences; Pilot Projects; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Training; Iowa; Epinephrine; Immunopathology; Immunology; Force; Device; Neurotransmitter; Activation; Catecholamine; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0091-6749; 1097-6825
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.10.007

The purpose of this pilot study was to measure both the activation force (AF) required to trigger each device (real EAIs and their respective EAITDs) and any reaction force (RF) or recoil that is generated immediately after activation of the devices into ballistics gelatin. Needle lengths of EAIs have already been cited as potentially inadequate to reliably deliver epinephrine to the muscle bed.5,6 Any amount of unexpected recoil that occurs while using a real EAI during an emergency might further reduce the likelihood of successful intramuscular administration.7 On the basis of this pilot study, it might be prudent for practitioners to inform patients that there are indeed differences with regard to how much force is required to activate different brands of EAIs, as well as differences in recoil generated.