The Futura Safety Syringe, developed by UK company Medisys, has successfully passed its final specification tests and should be ready for launch within the next two months. The tests, undertaken by Medisys' co-marketing partner Smiths, showed that the product's performance exceeded the specification agreed between the two companies.

The product is designed to avoid needlestick injuries and will initially be rolled out in a limited number of clinical facilities - and in various routine clinical procedures - in order to allow Smiths to obtain independent feedback prior to the wider market launch.

The introduction of the syringe had originally been slated for last year, but earlier testing had revealed a potential weakness in the designs that needed additional investigation. The company is now satisfied that this has been rectified.

Medisys noted that the anticipated launch schedule means that it does not expect that sales of the syringe will have a material impact on its financial results for its financial year, ending 30 September.