23-Gauge Butterfly Needles: U.S. Suppliers, Brands, Pricing, and Buying Guide

Summary

• Major U.S. medical-supply distributors, including McKesson, Medline, Cardinal Health, Henry Schein, and Bound Tree Medical, commonly offer 23-gauge butterfly blood-collection sets from manufacturers such as BD, Greiner Bio-One, Terumo, Nipro, and Exel International.
• When purchasing 23-gauge butterfly needles, buyers should verify needle length, tubing length, safety mechanism, preattached holder, luer connection, sterility, expiration date, packaging quantity, and FDA clearance or listing.
• Pricing and availability vary according to purchase volume, healthcare setting, contract pricing, shipping requirements, and whether the product is a standard or safety-engineered blood-collection set.

Twenty-three-gauge butterfly needles are widely used in U.S. phlebotomy for blood collection from patients with small, fragile, difficult-to-access, or superficial veins. The device combines a short needle with flexible tubing and wing-like grips, allowing a phlebotomist to stabilize the needle while drawing blood. In many product catalogs, these devices are listed as “butterfly needles,” “winged blood collection sets,” “scalp vein sets,” or “safety blood collection sets.”

Several major U.S. medical-supply distributors sell 23-gauge products, either directly through their own online catalogs or through institutional purchasing contracts. Common manufacturers include BD, Greiner Bio-One, Terumo, Nipro, and Exel International. However, product availability changes frequently because of recalls, backorders, manufacturer allocation, group purchasing agreements, and differences between retail and hospital catalogs.

For that reason, buyers should treat a supplier’s catalog as a starting point and confirm the exact stock-keeping unit, manufacturer reference number, needle dimensions, safety features, and intended use before placing an order. A product described simply as a “23G butterfly” may differ substantially in tubing length, needle length, connector type, activation method, and packaging.

What Is a 23-Gauge Butterfly Needle?

A 23-gauge butterfly needle is a winged blood-collection set with a needle diameter of approximately 0.6 millimeters. The gauge system is inverse: a higher gauge number generally indicates a smaller outside diameter. Therefore, a 25-gauge needle is smaller than a 23-gauge needle, while a 21-gauge needle is larger.

The 23-gauge size is often selected when a 21-gauge collection needle may be too large for the patient’s vein but a 25-gauge needle may increase the risk of slow blood flow or specimen-quality concerns. In practice, the appropriate gauge depends on vein condition, collection requirements, patient age, institutional policy, and the judgment of a trained healthcare professional.

Most butterfly blood-collection sets include the following components:

1. A stainless-steel needle, commonly 23 gauge.
2. Flexible tubing, often between approximately 7 and 12 inches, depending on the product.
3. Two plastic wings that help the user position and stabilize the needle.
4. A luer connection, preattached holder, or another connector used with a blood-collection system.
5. A protective needle cover or safety mechanism, depending on the model.

Some sets are designed for use with evacuated blood tubes, while others are intended for syringe collection, infusion access, or specialized clinical procedures. A buyer should not assume that every 23-gauge winged needle is suitable for every type of blood draw.

Major U.S. Suppliers of 23-Gauge Butterfly Needles

McKesson Medical-Surgical

McKesson Medical-Surgical is one of the largest healthcare distributors serving hospitals, physician offices, laboratories, ambulatory surgery centers, long-term-care facilities, and other clinical organizations in the United States. Its catalog commonly includes blood-collection sets from major brands, including BD and other established manufacturers.

McKesson listings may distinguish products by needle length, tubing length, safety design, connector configuration, and whether a tube holder is included. Buyers may encounter 23-gauge products with 3/4-inch or 7/8-inch needles, depending on the manufacturer and model. Some sets are sold in boxes of 50, while larger institutional orders may be packed in case quantities such as 200 or 400 units.

McKesson is particularly relevant for facilities that already maintain a corporate account or use a group purchasing organization. Contract pricing can be materially different from public or noncontract pricing. Before ordering, purchasing departments should compare the product number in the internal supply-management system with the item number shown in the McKesson catalog.

Medline Industries

Medline is a major U.S. medical-supply manufacturer and distributor with a large portfolio of phlebotomy products. Its offerings may include Medline-branded winged blood-collection sets as well as products from other manufacturers.

Medline’s phlebotomy catalog typically separates conventional winged sets from safety-engineered sets. A 23-gauge product may be offered with a sliding shield, hinged safety feature, push-button activation, or another mechanism designed to reduce accidental needlestick exposure. Product descriptions should be reviewed carefully because the safety method can affect one-handed operation, activation timing, and compatibility with the user’s Workflow.

Large facilities often purchase Medline products through negotiated agreements. Smaller medical offices may be able to order through a representative or an approved reseller rather than through a fully open public catalog. When comparing products, buyers should confirm whether the holder is included. Some products are supplied with a preattached holder, while others require a separate blood-collection tube holder.

Cardinal Health

Cardinal Health Medical Products and Services distributes phlebotomy and laboratory-consumable products throughout the United States. Its customers include hospitals, laboratories, physician practices, outpatient facilities, and public-health organizations.

Cardinal Health catalogs can include 23-gauge winged blood-collection sets from recognized manufacturers. Depending on the item, the buyer may select standard or safety-engineered versions, different tubing lengths, and different connector formats. Cardinal Health customers should use the exact manufacturer catalog number when requesting a quote because similar descriptions can represent different needle lengths or packaging configurations.

Facilities with a Cardinal Health purchasing agreement should also evaluate conversion costs. Even a small price difference per unit may become significant when a hospital uses thousands of sets each month. For example, a difference of 10 cents per set across 25,000 monthly collections represents $2,500 in monthly product-cost variation before shipping, contract rebates, and waste costs are considered.

Henry Schein Medical

Henry Schein Medical serves physician offices, specialty practices, clinics, laboratories, and other Healthcare Providers. Its inventory commonly includes phlebotomy needles, blood-collection sets, evacuated tubes, specimen containers, sharps containers, and related consumables.

Henry Schein may offer 23-gauge butterfly needles from brands such as BD, Greiner Bio-One, and other manufacturers depending on the customer’s region and account catalog. Its product search tools may classify these products under blood-collection supplies, Venipuncture products, or safety needles rather than under a single “butterfly” category.

Independent practices should examine minimum order quantities and shipping charges. A low unit price may not be the lowest total cost if the product is sold only by the case or requires expedited shipping. Conversely, a case purchase can reduce per-unit cost and reduce the likelihood of running out during a period of increased patient volume.

Bound Tree Medical

Bound Tree Medical is known for serving emergency medical services, ambulance providers, fire departments, hospitals, and other organizations that require emergency-care supplies. Its product range commonly includes winged infusion sets and butterfly blood-collection products in several gauges.

Because emergency medical services often need compact, portable supplies, buyers may find 23-gauge sets packaged for field use or included in Venipuncture kits. EMS organizations should verify whether the selected product is optimized for blood collection, intravenous access, or both. A set intended for one application may not match the tubing, connector, or safety requirements of another.

Bound Tree and similar emergency-care suppliers may be useful for smaller agencies that do not have the purchasing volume of a hospital system. However, organizations should compare unit pricing with larger distributors and account for shipping, hazmat-related policies when applicable, and minimum-order requirements.

Med-Vet International and Other Specialty Distributors

Specialty medical distributors such as Med-Vet International may carry winged needles and blood-collection sets used in human healthcare, veterinary practice, research, and laboratory environments. These suppliers can be useful when a buyer needs a particular gauge, tubing length, or manufacturer reference number that is temporarily unavailable through a primary distributor.

Specialty catalogs require careful review because not every product is marketed for human clinical phlebotomy. The buyer should confirm the intended market, packaging, sterility, labeling, and regulatory status. A product suitable for veterinary use or laboratory research may not be appropriate for routine human blood collection under a healthcare organization’s policies.

Amazon Business and General Online Marketplaces

Amazon Business and other online marketplaces may display 23-gauge butterfly needles from established manufacturers and lesser-known brands. These platforms can provide convenient ordering, but they require more supplier due diligence than a direct purchase from an established medical distributor.

Buyers should inspect the seller’s identity, manufacturer authorization, product photographs, lot information, expiration dates, packaging condition, and return policy. Medical supplies purchased through a marketplace may come from different sellers even when the listing title appears identical. Product substitution is another concern; a listing may show a 23-gauge set but ship a product with a different needle length, connector, safety mechanism, or tubing configuration.

For professional healthcare use, online-marketplace purchases should be approved by the organization’s clinical, infection-control, and procurement teams. Price alone is not enough to establish that a product is appropriate.

Manufacturers Commonly Found in U.S. Supplier Catalogs

BD

Becton, Dickinson and Company, commonly known as BD, is one of the best-known manufacturers of blood-collection systems. Its Vacutainer product family includes winged blood-collection sets and safety-engineered options. BD products are widely specified by hospitals and laboratories because they are integrated with the company’s evacuated blood-collection tubes and accessories.

BD 23-gauge products may be available in different needle lengths, tubing lengths, and safety configurations. Some product families use a safety shield that is activated after Venipuncture, while others incorporate a push-button mechanism. The buyer should confirm whether the item is intended for a standard holder, a preattached holder, or a luer adapter.

Greiner Bio-One

Greiner Bio-One manufactures VACUETTE blood-collection systems, including safety blood-collection sets. Its products are commonly distributed through U.S. laboratory and medical-supply channels and may be available in 23-gauge configurations.

Greiner products are often selected by facilities that use the VACUETTE evacuated tube system, although compatibility should be confirmed rather than assumed. A facility changing brands should conduct an internal evaluation covering tube fill, specimen quality, staff handling, safety activation, and laboratory acceptance.

Terumo

Terumo manufactures a range of needles, syringes, and blood-collection products. Its winged needle and blood-collection products may be sold through U.S. distributors in several gauges, including 23 gauge.

Terumo product descriptions may separate conventional winged needles from safety models. The safety model, needle length, tubing length, and connection type should all be checked before purchase. Terumo products may be especially relevant to facilities that already standardize on Terumo needles or syringes.

Nipro

Nipro is another established manufacturer of medical devices and blood-collection products. Nipro winged blood-collection sets may be available through national distributors, regional suppliers, and purchasing contracts.

As with other manufacturers, Nipro product specifications can vary by model. Buyers should compare the needle bevel, tubing, connector, safety mechanism, and packaging details instead of relying only on the brand name and gauge.

Exel International and Other Private-Label Brands

Exel International and other medical-device manufacturers produce winged needles and related products that may be sold under their own brands or through private-label programs. These products can sometimes offer competitive pricing, especially for clinics purchasing moderate or high volumes.

Private-label purchasing should include a review of manufacturer documentation, quality controls, complaint procedures, lot traceability, and regulatory records. A lower purchase price may be reasonable when the product meets the organization’s clinical requirements, but it should not be accepted without an evaluation of safety, usability, and supply continuity.

How to Compare 23-Gauge Butterfly Needle Products

Gauge is only one part of the product specification. Two 23-gauge butterfly sets may have noticeably different performance and Workflow characteristics. A procurement comparison should include the following factors.

1. Needle length: Common options may include approximately 3/4 inch and 7/8 inch. The correct length depends on the patient population, vein depth, and clinical practice.
2. Tubing length: Shorter tubing may be convenient for some blood draws, while longer tubing can provide additional flexibility when connecting to a tube holder or syringe.
3. Safety activation: Determine whether the shield is activated by sliding, folding, pressing a button, or another method. The mechanism should be practical for the staff who use it.
4. Connector style: Check whether the product has a luer adapter, preattached tube holder, luer lock, or another configuration.
5. Needle bevel and sharpness: These design features can influence insertion feel, patient comfort, and first-stick success, although performance should be assessed through clinical evaluation rather than marketing language alone.
6. Packaging: Confirm the number of sets per box and case, sterile packaging, individual wrapping, and the presence of lot numbers and expiration dates.
7. Compatibility: Verify compatibility with the organization’s evacuated tubes, holders, syringes, transfer devices, and laboratory procedures.
8. Waste handling: Consider how the activated safety set fits into the facility’s sharps containers and whether extra plastic components increase waste volume.
9. Documentation: Request instructions for use, product specifications, safety data where applicable, and regulatory documentation.
10. Supply continuity: Evaluate whether the supplier has more than one distribution center or an established substitute policy during shortages.

Safety and Regulatory Considerations

Needlestick prevention is a central consideration when buying butterfly needles. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers with occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials to use appropriate engineering and work-practice controls. The standard also requires employers to consider and document the input of nonmanagerial employees who are responsible for direct patient care when selecting safer medical devices.

Safety-engineered butterfly sets are designed to reduce exposure risk, but the device does not eliminate the need for training. The safety feature must be activated at the correct time, and the used set must be discarded promptly into an appropriate sharps container. Facilities should assess whether the device permits one-handed activation and whether the activation signal is visual, audible, or tactile.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have repeatedly emphasized the importance of engineering controls, standard precautions, Hand Hygiene, and safe sharps disposal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also monitors medical-device safety through premarket controls, adverse-event reporting, recalls, and postmarket surveillance.

Healthcare buyers should ask suppliers for the product’s FDA device listing or clearance information when appropriate. Not every device category uses the same regulatory pathway, so a purchasing team should avoid assuming that a catalog statement alone proves suitability. The manufacturer’s instructions for use and intended-use statement should be retained with the procurement file.

Pricing, Packaging, and Total Cost

The price of a 23-gauge butterfly needle can vary widely. Public online prices may range from several dollars per individual unit for small quantities to well under one dollar per unit for large case purchases, although exact pricing depends on brand, safety design, packaging, contract status, and market conditions. Safety-engineered products generally cost more than basic non-safety sets because they include additional components and engineering controls.

Institutional buyers should calculate total acquisition cost rather than comparing only the advertised unit price. Relevant costs include:

1. Product price per set.
2. Shipping and handling charges.
3. Expedited delivery fees during shortages.
4. Storage space and inventory carrying costs.
5. Waste-disposal costs associated with packaging and sharps containers.
6. Training expenses when changing to a different safety mechanism.
7. Potential costs associated with failed Venipuncture attempts or product defects.
8. Administrative costs related to substitutions, returns, and lot tracking.

For example, if a clinic uses 5,000 butterfly sets per month, a difference of 15 cents per set equals $750 per month or $9,000 per year. That calculation may favor the lower-priced product, but only if the product performs comparably and does not create additional training, waste, or specimen-rejection costs.

Case quantities are often more economical, but overbuying can create expiration risk. Buyers should review average monthly usage, minimum stock levels, lead time, and supplier fill rates. A practical inventory policy may hold additional stock for products with long lead times or a history of national shortages, while avoiding excessive purchases that could expire before use.

Purchasing for Different U.S. Healthcare Settings

Hospitals and Integrated Health Systems

Hospitals usually purchase through a centralized materials-management department, group purchasing organization, or multiyear distributor agreement. The product must often pass review by nursing leadership, laboratory management, infection prevention, employee health, and value-analysis committees.

A hospital evaluating a new 23-gauge butterfly set should conduct a structured trial. The review may include first-stick success, ease of safety activation, accidental activation during insertion, tubing flexibility, compatibility with collection tubes, patient feedback, and staff preference. A trial involving several shifts and multiple users is more informative than a single demonstration.

Physician Offices and Outpatient Clinics

Outpatient clinics often purchase smaller quantities and may prioritize simple ordering, reliable delivery, and reasonable case sizes. Henry Schein, McKesson, Medline, Cardinal Health, and local medical-supply distributors are common purchasing channels.

Clinics should not assume that a product used successfully in a hospital is automatically the best choice for a smaller practice. Storage capacity, staff familiarity, and the number of monthly blood draws may make individually packaged or smaller-box products more practical.

Laboratories and Mobile Phlebotomy Services

Laboratories and Mobile Phlebotomy services may value lightweight packaging, durable transport containers, and consistent compatibility with the laboratory’s blood-collection tubes. Mobile staff should also consider how the product performs in cramped spaces, vehicles, patient homes, and community settings.

Mobile teams need a clear procedure for transporting unused supplies, protecting sterile packaging, and disposing of used sharps. A butterfly set should never be reused, even when the needle appears unused after contact with a patient.

Emergency Medical Services

EMS organizations often select 23-gauge butterfly sets for patients with small or fragile veins, pediatric patients, or situations where precise needle control is useful. Bound Tree Medical and other emergency-care distributors may provide products in quantities suitable for ambulance restocking.

EMS buyers should examine packaging durability, temperature exposure during storage, compatibility with field blood-collection procedures, and the speed of safety activation. The selected product should be included in skills training and documented in the agency’s exposure-control plan.

Questions to Ask a Supplier Before Ordering

A supplier should be able to provide clear answers to technical and commercial questions. Before approving a purchase, ask the following:

1. Is the product specifically available in 23 gauge?
2. What are the exact needle length and tubing length?
3. Is the product sterile and individually packaged?
4. Does the set include a tube holder or require a separate holder?
5. What type of safety mechanism does it use?
6. Is the product intended for blood collection, infusion, or both?
7. What is the manufacturer’s catalog or reference number?
8. What are the box and case quantities?
9. What is the current expiration range for available inventory?
10. Can the supplier provide lot information and a certificate or manufacturer statement when requested?
11. What is the expected lead time and backorder policy?
12. Will substitutions be made without prior approval?
13. What are the return conditions for damaged or incorrectly shipped products?
14. Does the supplier support contract pricing, volume discounts, or standing orders?

How to Avoid Common Buying Mistakes

One common mistake is ordering by gauge alone. A box labeled “23G butterfly needles” may not have the correct tubing, connector, or safety feature for the facility. Another mistake is confusing a winged infusion set with a blood-collection set. Although the products may look similar, their intended uses and accessories can differ.

Buyers should also avoid purchasing from an unknown source solely because it offers the lowest price. Counterfeit, diverted, expired, damaged, or improperly stored medical devices can create clinical and compliance risks. Packaging should be inspected at delivery, and Discrepancies should be reported immediately.

A third mistake is accepting automatic substitutions. If a supplier replaces a preferred 23-gauge safety set with a different model, staff may not recognize the changed activation method. Procurement systems should require approval before substitutions are shipped, particularly for safety-critical products.

Finally, facilities should not change brands without informing the phlebotomy team and laboratory. A short product evaluation, staff education, and updated procedure can prevent confusion and reduce the risk of improper use.

Recommended U.S. Supplier Shortlist

For most U.S. buyers, the following supplier categories provide a practical starting point:

1. National distributors: McKesson Medical-Surgical, Medline, and Cardinal Health are appropriate for hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and organizations seeking broad inventory and contract support.
2. Physician-office distributors: Henry Schein Medical is a useful option for outpatient practices and smaller healthcare organizations.
3. Emergency-care distributors: Bound Tree Medical may be suitable for EMS agencies and emergency-response organizations.
4. Specialty distributors: Med-Vet International and regional medical-supply companies may help locate specific brands or configurations.
5. Manufacturer channels: BD, Greiner Bio-One, Terumo, Nipro, and Exel International can provide product specifications and identify authorized U.S. distributors.
6. Online marketplaces: Amazon Business and similar platforms may be convenient for limited purchases, but seller verification and product inspection are especially important.

Final Buying Guidance

Many U.S. suppliers sell 23-gauge butterfly needles, but the best supplier depends on the buyer’s clinical setting, monthly volume, required safety technology, preferred blood-collection system, and contract arrangements. McKesson, Medline, Cardinal Health, Henry Schein, and Bound Tree Medical are among the most recognizable purchasing channels, while BD, Greiner Bio-One, Terumo, Nipro, and Exel International are common manufacturers found in distributor catalogs.

The safest purchasing approach is to specify the complete product rather than the gauge alone. A request should identify the 23-gauge size, needle length, tubing length, safety mechanism, connector type, holder requirement, box quantity, sterility requirements, and manufacturer or approved-equivalent status.

Before placing a large order, request samples when possible and evaluate the product with the staff who will use it. Confirm regulatory documentation, inspect incoming packaging, monitor expiration dates, and maintain a backup supplier or approved alternative. These steps help U.S. healthcare organizations obtain reliable 23-gauge butterfly needles while supporting patient comfort, specimen quality, worker safety, and cost control.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only, reflecting the personal opinions and insights of the author(s) on the topics. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. No physician-patient relationship is created by this web site or its use. No contributors to this web site make any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use. While we strive to share accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of the content. The blog may also include links to external websites and resources for the convenience of our readers. Please note that linking to other sites does not imply endorsement of their content, practices, or services by us. Readers should use their discretion and judgment while exploring any external links and resources mentioned on this blog.

Related Videos