By Cathleen Rineer-Garber, Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences
Dr. Wilmer Sibbitt and his new syringe (Barry Staver photo)

As a medical resident back in the 80s, Wilmer Sibbitt, MD, remembers being frustrated with the way syringes worked, and wondering why someone didn’t develop a safer, more practical device. Over the next 20 years, as a rheumatologist at University of New Mexico Hospital, Sibbitt’s frustration persisted. Then, about six years ago, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

“The problem with a traditional syringe is that it requires two-hands to operate it,” he said. This creates an unstable needle, and increases the risk of complications. Sibbitt solved this problem by inventing a reciprocating syringe, which requires only one hand to operate.

“The reciprocating mechanism is a simple design,” said Sibbitt. “But, it’s also counter-intuitive. When people see how the syringe works, it takes a moment to understand,” he said.

“My design is based on understanding how the human hand works,” said Sibbitt. “It takes advantage of the intrinsic strengths of the hand, rather than its weakness.” According to Sibbitt, the hand’s grasping motion is weak when extended, so pulling the plunger back on a syringe is difficult, and usually requires two hands.

Sibbitt’s syringe, which will be marketed under the name Procedur, doesn’t require this action. Instead, both the injection and extraction of fluid is accomplished by pushing the plunger down, which takes advantage of the hand’s strengths.

To further develop and market this device (and others that are on the way), Sibbitt worked with UNM’s Science and Technology Corporation. STC helped him identify a business partner, Kathleen Kelleher, and together they started Avanca Medical Devices.

After developing a prototype, Sibbitt asked fellow physicians at UNMH to try out the syringe and they found it much easier to use. According to Sibbitt, the syringe is now being tested on patients and so far, the results are promising.

The syringe seems to be exactly what physicians have been waiting for—so why has it taken so long for someone to improve on the 150-year-old invention?

Sibbitt said there have been many modifications of the syringe over the years, but those attempts haven’t altered the basic mechanics. “Because I am a rheumatologist, I have an in-depth understanding of the human hand. It makes sense that someone with my background would invent a device that works with the hand, not against it.”

With FDA approval expected in early 2005, patients can expect to see the syringe in the near future.


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