But my recent session under the needle had me thinking about implications beyond the opinions of others.

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Over nine years and at least a dozen sittings under a needle in a tattoo chair (Thomas said the tattoo parlor "is a great place for just hanging out too"), the 25-year old has had bits of his story inked on his body.

WSJ: An Illustrated Guide to Devin Thomas

This is done using a needle and syringe under a general anaesthetic in a hospital.

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Insulin is commonly given by a needle and syringe and is injected just under the skin.

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Now researchers in Germany say that the rapidly vibrating tattoo needle could be a useful way of delivering vaccines under the skin instead of insoluble ink.

BBC: More antibodies are created with the tattooing method

Gout is most easily and commonly diagnosed by placing a needle into the inflamed joint and withdrawing fluid that is examined under a polarized light microscope.

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American Needle, Inc. did not have much of a sense of humor about this and sued the NFL under antitrust principles.

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