Patent ID: 6911018

Claim:
A safety syringe comprising: a hollow barrel having a forward and a rear end, said barrel including proximate the forward end a first retention structure and a first coupling structure and proximate said rear end a second retention structure; a needle carrier disposed at said forward end and including (i) a third retention structure engaging the first retention structure to releaseably retain the needle carrier at said forward end and to engage the second coupling structure to retain said needle carrier in the barrel, (ii) a second coupling structure to engage the first coupling structure to prevent rotation of the needle carrier at said forward end, (iii) a mounting for mounting a needle and (iv) a first attachment component disposed opposite said mounting; and a plunger having a head to slideably seal within the barrel for aspiration of fluid into or displacement of fluid out of the barrel and a second attachment component to engage the first attachment component of the needle carrier to attach the needle carrier to said head, withdrawal of the plunger disengaging the third retention structure from the first retention structure to release the needle carrier and needle to be withdrawn to a position in the barrel where the third retention structure engages the second retention structure to retain the needle carrier and needle in the withdrawn position.