Butterfly Needle

Winged Infusion Sets, or "Butterfly" needles are used in venipuncture (phlebotomy). They are often used with people who have spasticity. Since the butterfly needle uses a flexible tube, there is less chance of the patient causing damage if they move during the procedure. Butterfly needles are usually a 21g green label, a 23g blue label, and a

25g orange label (however this needle is only used in pediatrics or extreme cases as it is so small that it can often result in hemolyzing the blood sample, thereby invalidating the test), with two plastic 'wings' on either side, flexible tubing, and another needle, generally sheathed with some sort of rubber like material at the other end. This needle, unlike the exposed side, is not sharp. The newer needles produced now also come with a slide and lock safety device that is slid over the needle when it is done being used. This helps prevent accidental sticking with a dirty needle, as well as from accidentally being reused. The phlebotomist attaches a hub or a syringe to the end of the set that has the sheathed needle. This is the same type of hub used for a routine venipuncture. The needle is held by the 'wings' and placed into the vein,