An unopened J-Tip needle free syringe, in its original packaging, will list the date of expiration on its package, which is 2 years after its date of manufacture. It is the responsibility of the caregiver to ensure the medication used with the J-Tip has not passed its date of expiration.
What medications is the J-Tip approved for? Also, why should I use buffered or preservative free lidocaine vs. regular lidocaine?
The .25 ml virtually pain free J-Tip needle free Injector is indicated for the use with Xylocaine (also known as Lidocaine). Some health care providers prefer to use buffered or preservative free lidocaine to lessen the stinging/ burning sensation that can be experienced with regular lidocaine. Please consult with your institution and hospital’s pharmacy if buffered or preservative free lidocaine can be used. Please note that in most cases buffered lidocaine does have a shorter shelf life.
How do I fill the J-Tip pain free injector?
Virtually pain less Injection the J-Tip can be filled by a caregiver at bedside, by a hospital’s pharmacy or through a third party. Please refer to our User Guide and training downloads under the Resources tab for more information.
Can I change the dose of medication in the J-Tip?
Medication can be added to the Virtually pain free J-Tip needle free syringe, but cannot be withdrawn once transferred into the J-Tip. The user must be careful to fill J-Tip with the proper dosage. All adjustments of medication and removal of air bubbles should be done in the luer lock syringe prior to filling the J-Tip. (A 1 mL syringe is recommended for ease of transfer.) If overfilled, expel medication and discard the J-Tip.
How long does the J-Tip last? Can it be reused?
The J-Tip should take effect within 1-2 minutes and last roughly 15-20 minutes depending on the patient. No, since the J-Tip is a sterile, single-use, disposable device, it cannot be reused once it has been activated.
I heard that J-Tip makes a noise. What does it sound like?
When a pain free J-Tip is activated, it makes a ‘pop’ followed by a ‘hiss’ sound, similar to opening a can of soda. This is the sound of the gas traveling through the device and exiting through a small circular port opposite of the activation lever. It is a good idea to let the patient know ahead of time or to use distraction methods if the patient is more anxious.
What does the J-Tip feel like? Does it hurt?
For most patients, the most they feel is a little pressure of air or a slight flick like a small rubber band. Using 1% buffered lidocaine, the J-Tip pain free injection should minimize any sting or burn that can be associated with regular lidocaine.
How long do I hold the J-Tip against the skin after injection?
Although it only takes a fraction of a second for the injection to occur, hold the J-Tip in place for at least 2-3 seconds after activating to ensure that the medication is fully absorbed.
Does the pressurized gas mix with the medication? If not, where does it go?
The gas used to propel the medication does not come into contact with the medication as the gas and medication are always kept separate. The gas escapes the device through a small, circular exit port in the middle of the device located opposite the activation lever.
How hard do I have to push down on the skin to have the medication absorbed?
You only need to apply slightly firm pressure between the J-Tip and the skin, creating a direct seal and slight dimple. This amount of pressure allows the subcutaneous tissue to stay open so that no skin compression occurs and the medication can disperse more evenly and effectively. If you push down too hard on the skin, it can compress the subcutaneous space and cause the medication to splatter on top of the skin. Too little pressure can also leave medication on the surface of the skin so it isn’t fully absorbed in the subcutaneous. Note, using a sterile gauze pad afterwards helps further distribute the medication to ensure proper absorption.
What should I expect after a J-Tip needle-free injection?
It is common to see one or both of the following at the site of injection after activation:
1) a pin point blood reflux at the injection site
2) a small skin wheal at the injection site
Both are completely normal. The skin wheal will flatten out over time and increase your numbing area, which on average covers about the size of a dime.
What are the contraindications and precautions for using the J-Tip?
The J-Tip is contraindicated for patients receiving chemotherapeutic agents as they may report increased incidents of tissue necrosis, ecchymosis or bleeding at the injection site. Also patients who are allergic to lidocaine should not use the J-Tip. Precautions are listed in our Recommendations and Precautions section located on our User Guide as well as our IFU sheet.
When will an unopened J-Tip expire?
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