Wasteful Pen Cartridge Experience
-
Well I just had an unpleasant experience. I just wasted a half a vial of NAD+. Upon filling some pen cartridges I had the bottom plug pop out the bottom of not one, but two cartridges (spilling all of the energy juice into oblivion). I was using a 31 gauge breather needle and a 31 gauge needle on the end of the .2-13mm filter. I've done it this way before with no issues. I didn't think I was pushing too hard or fast on the plunger but I guess I could have. I changed the breather needle on the next two cartridges and everything went as planned. Could it have been a bad breather needle? 31 gauge needles are too small (for breather or filter)? Or was I simply pushing too fast and didn't realize it?
What's your theory as to what the problem may have been. I lost half of my 10mL vial due to this mistake, so I darn sure want to learn from it.
-
Boy, it sure does seem to indicate that breather needle. Ive had 2 insulin syringes in one box that I couldn't get any flow through, like they were collapsed or blocked. This is my guess. That really sucks and thanks for sharing, Im moving to pens this week and will definitely pay attention.
-
I can only imagine that either the breather needle was blocked or wasn’t inserted far enough. I use 30/31 ga needles to load and vent carts and haven’t had this problem.
Because of paranoia, I also place my finger over the plug while filling just in case.
-
I can only imagine that either the breather needle was blocked or wasn’t inserted far enough. I use 30/31 ga needles to load and vent carts and haven’t had this problem.
Because of paranoia, I also place my finger over the plug while filling just in case.
I can only imagine that either the breather needle was blocked or wasn’t inserted far enough. I use 30/31 ga needles to load and vent carts and haven’t had this problem.
Because of paranoia, I also place my finger over the plug while filling just in case.
Good theory. The breather needle was definitely in far enough because I could see the tip of the needle. I started placing my finger over the plug for the next two out of precaution as well. I appreciate the feedback.
-
Ahh this brings back memories

My theory is to use the same size breather needle as the loading one to allow the pressure out at the same speed/volume that it goes in.
Never thought of the finger trick but I definitely watch the plunger out of the corner of my eye to see if it starts moving.
-
Personally, I think your breather needle and your needle attached to the filter are too small. I’ve always used either a 29ga or 30ga breather needle, and use a 25ga 1-1/2 inch needle attached to my filter. Never had any issues.
-
I’m probably doing it wrong but when I fill cartridges, I put the breather needle in the empty cartridge and then push the plunger up using another syringe until I can’t push it anymore. Then, without the breather needle, I add the peptide to the cartridge. The plunger allows the peptide to fill the cartridge and I have less air that I need to remove once it’s filled. Limits my risk of the plunger popping out the end.
-
@judgetoo once you push the plunger up the exposed glass is no longer sterile. What you’re doing is not a safe handling technique.
-
@judgetoo theres a term for that. It’s called survivor bias.
You such a smart-mouthed dawg! LOL!
Look, I'm no expert whatsoever, but a breather needle is supposed to BREATHE. If you're trying to fill within seconds of inserting the breather, you might want to give it a bit more time. Just sayin', IDK.
-
I have done okay with PenDepot carts, but at this point, I just buy from PeptideCritic and I have a lot of carts and filters right now.
-
I have done okay with PenDepot carts, but at this point, I just buy from PeptideCritic and I have a lot of carts and filters right now.
@ResearchCat
I just get them here (Peptide Critic) now too. Jeff gets them and makes sure they are good and work in everything, so I don’t have to do the work. Maybe I am just a little lazy and don’t want to do the work anymore… -
I've started installing the empty cartridge in the pen then filling it, that keeps the plunger from backing out in case something happens to the breather needle and makes it generally bit easier to handle.
-
I've started installing the empty cartridge in the pen then filling it, that keeps the plunger from backing out in case something happens to the breather needle and makes it generally bit easier to handle.
-
I've started installing the empty cartridge in the pen then filling it, that keeps the plunger from backing out in case something happens to the breather needle and makes it generally bit easier to handle.
I like that

I’ve got a couple of those reconstitution stations - they look shit hot but I never use them.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login