JPH0649072B2 - Hypodermic needle safety device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to syringes and, more particularly, to syringe structures designed to prevent needle stick injuries.

Subcutaneous syringes are widely used to inject drugs into humans and animals. A hypodermic syringe typically has a barrel that contains the drug to be injected and a needle that is connected to the barrel. Hypodermic syringes are often disposable and are usually discarded after use to prevent contamination or transmission of disease. But,
There is always a small number of cases where a doctor is stabbed with a needle after use, albeit at a low rate. A recently published study on needle puncture wounds, namely J, Jaguar, M. et al. P. H. , P
h. D. , E. H. Hunt, R.A. N. J. brand·
Erneger, B.A. A. , & R. D. Pearson, M.D.
Et al., "The Needle Sting Rate Caused by Various Devices in University Hospitals" (319, New England Medical Journal), 1
In the August 4, 1988 issue 284-288, 6.9 per 100,100 items purchased with disposable syringes.
, There is a sting by a needle. Further, 35% of the total number of needle punctures due to all causes is punctures with a disposable syringe. The most common mechanism of this sting is due to the doctor failing to cap the needle after using the syringe. The conclusion of the above study was that attempts to meet safety standards with this type of measure were ineffective and there is no hope of preventing needle injuries in the future. While the research does not suggest a practical solution, it does modify the syringe design to eliminate the use of a needle or some kind of fixed barrier between the user and the needle. It is recommended that the user's hand remain behind the needle when provided or when the needle is capped.

This is an important recommendation. Because a hypodermic needle is
In particular, needles that have been used only once pose a threat to the health and safety of the people who use them. Efforts to completely eliminate the risk of needlestick injuries are justified, even if the needlestick is small, but the potential for infection is very serious.

A wide variety of different hypodermic syringes have been proposed to prevent needle sticks. These syringes generally modify the barrel of the syringe.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,144 by Choxie
Disclosed is a syringe having a sleeve that can be locked in both the retracted and extended positions. This locking mechanism
It has a slot formed near the end of the cylinder,
This slot is adapted to cooperate with a spring acting on the tongue of the sleeve.

Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,1 by Sampson et al.
No. 20 discloses a safety device that attaches to the barrel of a syringe. The safety device can be releasably locked in the retracted or extended position. The locking of the safety device is carried out by means of a track on the inner surface of the safety device and by means of a cylindrical part which engages this track.

Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,572 by Sampson et al.
No. 3,976 discloses a similar safety device with locking means different from the locking means described above. Alternatively, Winstead-Hole, US Pat. No. 4,35.
No. 6,822 discloses a syringe having a tubular safety device and a barrel with a plurality of locking means for securing the barrel and the cap in a plurality of relative axial positions. A brittle closure is provided at the end of the cap near the needle.
This lock means can change the lock position according to the degree of exposure of the needle.

In another example, instead of the cylindrical portion, a shield integrated with the needle is provided. U.S. Pat. No. 3,13 by this armor
4,380 discloses a retractable safety device integral with the needle portion of a syringe. Needles with safety devices are assembled and sterilized by the manufacturer. The purpose of this safety device is to shield the needle from being seen by the patient.

None of the above safety devices have been widely used. The most standard hypodermic device currently in use is a device without a safety device and the problem of needle sticks has not been solved.

Briefly, the present invention provides an improved safety device that is compatible with the typical safety injectors currently in use today. This safety device is simple to use, expensive and requires no modification of the syringe, and is effective in preventing needle stick injuries.
In this safety device, a fixed barrier is placed between the hand of the syringe user and the tip of the needle after use. This leaves the user's hand behind the shielded needle.

The safety device has a fitting or bushing that cooperates with the cylindrical portion of the central body, and a slidable safety sleeve carried on the fitting. Also provided is a packaging cap having any features. The fitting is either snapped onto or secured to the barrel of the syringe and is used to support a safety device attached to the syringe. To attach the safety device to the syringe, the user first grasps the safety device so that the open end of the safety sleeve faces the user. The barrel of the syringe is then slid into the open end of the safety sleeve and the leading portion of the barrel is engaged with the inner surface of the bushing or fitting in the sleeve. Then remove the packaging cap,
Attach the hypodermic needle to the needle mounting end of the barrel. with this,
The syringe is fully assembled with the needle safety device, the safety sleeve is in the retracted position, and the needle is exposed and ready for use.

After use, grasp the sleeve and push it forward along the barrel towards the needle. The sleeve is pushed in until the bush and sleeve are locked in place.
The sleeve of the safety device now extends beyond the pointed tip of the needle of the syringe, thus preventing stinging with a used needle.

The present invention is a convenient and practical addition to the known type of safety device with substantial improvements. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved syringe configuration that is needle puncture resistant and is also easy to use.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain a safe and effective improved syringe configuration.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a needle safety device that is inexpensive, easy to manufacture and can be used with conventional syringe configurations.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

The present invention provides a unique and simple form of construction that prevents needle sticks in currently used syringes. The present invention includes devices for use with commonly used syringes. The improved needle safety device 10 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is compatible with a standard hypodermic syringe 12. Needle safety device 10
Includes a safety sleeve 14 and a fitting or bush 16
And an optional packaging cap 18. The safety device 10 is attached to the syringe 12, used together, and disposed of with the syringe after use. Safety device 10
Once attached to the syringe 12, the bushing 16 frictionally engages the barrel 22 of the syringe to hold the sleeve 14 slidably. The sleeve 14 is slidable between an exposed retracted position of the needle and an extended position where the needle is hidden.

The optional wrapping cap 18 has a plurality of spaced apart protrusions 20 adapted to frictionally engage the inner surface of the outer end of the sleeve 14. Other detachable attachment types are also possible, such as screwing or snap fit. The safety device 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is installed by the manufacturer at the time of shipment, and the bush 16 is the packaging cap 1.
Paired with 8. The cap 18 is removed when using the syringe 18.

The safety sleeve 14 is a hollow cylindrical shaped tube. Alternatively, the sleeve 14 may have another shape. That is, it may be oval or polygonal, for example, as long as its internal cross section allows the barrel of the syringe 12 to be inserted and is able to cooperate with the bush 16. The sleeve 14 has a guide means that is connected to the bush 16 by a dowel. In the case of FIGS. 1 and 2, this guide means has straight longitudinal ribs 24 on the inner surface of the sleeve 14. These ribs 24 cooperate with a groove 26 formed on the outer surface of the bush 16 to prevent the sleeve 14 from rotating relative to the bush 16. The sleeve 14 also has means for limiting axial movement of the sleeve 14 relative to the bushing 16. This means includes a packaging cap 18
At its distal end, close to, includes a recess or notch 28 formed in the inner surface of the sleeve 14. The notch 28 is adapted to engage a member of the bush 16 that extends radially outward, such as a protrusion or tongue 30.
The tongue 30 is preloaded radially outward and has the shape of an elastic cantilever or beam. The tongue 30 is a lip or protrusion 4 that extends radially outward.
2, the protrusion is engaged with the notch 28 or the slot 34 of the sleeve 14 described below.

The proximal end of the sleeve 14 is formed with a shoulder or inwardly extending flange 32 that limits movement of the sleeve 14 over the bushing 16 when the sleeve 14 is in the extended position, ie, the needle shield position. Has been done. Sleeve 14
Also has means for locking it in its extended position. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, this means has an axial slot 34 in the proximal end of the sleeve 14. The slot 34 is adapted to receive the tongue 30 and more specifically the lip 42. In this way, translational and rotational movements of bush 16 are controlled within sleeve 14 during use of hypodermic syringe 12.

The fitting or bush 16 is generally annular and has a cylindrical outer surface adapted to slidably cooperate with the inner surface of the sleeve 14. The bushing 16 has an inner surface 36 adapted to be tension spring or frictionally engaged with a leading portion 38 or a needle attachment portion 46 including a protruding connection of the syringe barrel 22. An inwardly extending retaining flange 40 is provided to prevent the leading portion 38 from being pushed out of the bush 16. Alternatively, the bushing 16 may be threaded or snap fit with the leading portion 38 of the barrel portion 22 of the syringe, or any other suitable form for slidably coupling the barrel portion 22 and the bushing 16. May be used.

The bush 16 advantageously has two lockable members, namely tongues 30a, 30b. These members are provided around the bush 16 at an interval of about 180 ° from each other, and the sleeve 1 which is slidable in the axial direction.
4 cooperates with the detent recesses 28a, 28b inside 4, respectively. The lips 42a, 42b engage the recesses or detents 28a, 28b of the sleeve 14 when the sleeve 14 is in the retracted position shown in FIG.
Are held in that position. When the sleeve 14 is pushed into the extended position shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, detent lips 42a, 42b are spaced 180 degrees near the proximal end of the sleeve 14. Slot 3
4a and 34b are irreversibly locked. Lip 42a,
Whether the lock 42b is reversibly locked or irreversibly locked depends on the depth and shape of the locking portion of the sleeve 14. Therefore, the slots 34a and 34b are not attached to the lip 4
It has a depth and shape so that 2a and 42b are completely locked. The recesses 28a, 28b are only partially lip 4
2a and 42b are locked, and this locked state can be overcome by applying a light force in the axial direction.

The standard hypodermic syringe 12 of FIG. 2 has a removable needle 4
4 is included but is shown fully assembled in the normal form in the figure for the sake of explanation. When using the needle safety device of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is common to attach the safety device 10 to the barrel 22 of the syringe prior to attaching the needle 44. That is, first, the cylindrical portion 22 of the syringe
From the opening formed by the shoulder of the protective sleeve 14,
Inserted into the proximal end of the sleeve 14, the leading portion 38 of the cylindrical portion 22 engages the inner surface of the bush 16 and the bush 1
6 to contact the holding flange 40. In that case, the needle attachment portion 46 of the cylindrical portion 22 projects from the flange 40 without engaging with the holding flange 40. Next, the packaging cap 18 is removed, and the hypodermic needle 44 is attached to the needle attachment portion 46. The hypodermic syringe is now fully assembled with the safety device 10 in the retracted position and the needle exposed, as shown in FIG.

After use, the sleeve 14 is pushed forward to release the engagement between the lips 42a, 42b and the recesses 28a, 28b. The user slides the sleeve 14 axially forward and attaches the detent lips 42a, 42b to the slot 34.
The shoulder 32 is brought into contact with the bush 16 by engaging with a and 34b. The safety device 10 is now in the arrangement shown in FIG. The distal end of the sleeve 14 is now a hypodermic needle 44.
It is located at a position protruding from the pointed tip to prevent the occurrence of puncture wounds. This syringe with the needle shielded is discarded.

Since some commercially available hypodermic syringes 12 have a unitary structure, the needle 44 is integral with the cylindrical portion 22. The embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 can also be used with such a syringe 12. In that case, the barrel portion 22 of the syringe is inserted through the opening at the proximal end of the sleeve 14 formed by the shoulder 32 and the leading portion 38 of the barrel portion 22 engages the inner surface 34,
The holding flange 40 of the bush 16 is contacted. The needle then projects from the bushing 16 and into the packaging cap 18. The cap 18 is hollow and provided with a hole 48 at the distal end to accommodate the needle 44 if it is too long. The cap 18 can then be reused. After use of the syringe, the sleeve 14 is pushed forward as previously described and the needle shielded syringe is discarded.

Returning to FIGS. 3 and 4, these figures show the second aspect of the present invention.
Examples are given. In FIG. 3, the safety sleeve 14
Is in the retracted position and is locked in the extended position in FIG. The inner surface 34 of the bush 16 is the syringe barrel 12
Engages with the leading portion 23 on the outer surface of the. The distal end of the bush 16 has the same tongue portions 30a, 3a as those of the first embodiment.
It has 0b. However, in the second embodiment, the inner surface of the sleeve 14 has a recess 28 as in the first embodiment.
Since it does not have a and 28b, tongues 30a and 30b
Is not locked. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the sleeve 14 is free to slide along the bushing 16 and can be retracted where it no longer contacts the bushing 16.
However, as shown in FIG. 4, when the sleeve 14 is pushed to the needle blocking position, the sleeve 14 is held in place by the lips 42a, 42b. The lips 42a, 42b correspond to the slots 34a, 3 of the sleeve 14.
4b, and also by a shoulder 32 that contacts the proximal end of the bushing 16.

A third embodiment according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. Also in these drawings, the same members as those in the above-described embodiments are designated by the same symbols. Standard hypodermic syringe 1
2, the cylindrical portion 22 and the needle 44 are screwed together in this case, which is different from the friction engagement in the two embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. Cylindrical portion 22 has a projecting coupling or nipple 54 at one end, which nipple 54 is additionally threaded onto an internally threaded tube portion 50 to receive the needle portion 44 in an annular space. Is defined. Therefore, hypodermic syringe 22 will have an outer tube portion 50 with an inner thread 52. The bush 17 has a unique structure and has a thread 52
The screw engagement via the ridge makes it possible to frictionally engage the hollow connecting member 54 and the corresponding base 58. The sleeve 14 has recesses 62a, 62b near its proximal end.
Grooves 60a and 60b having a groove are provided. The bush 17 has ribs 64a and 64b, and these ribs are
Tongues 66a, 6 having lips 68a, 68b on the outside
6b, each ends. Lip 68a. 68b
Is located in the grooves 60a, 60b when the safety device 10 is in the retracted position of FIG. In the fully extended position of FIG. 6, the lips 68a, 68b have recesses 6
2a and 62b, the sleeve 14 is locked so that it does not slide in the vertical direction any more. Groove 60a, 60
b and the recesses 62a, 62b are provided with gradually tapering slots so that the ribs 64a, 64b are not
It can also be made to fit tightly into the slot when it is slid to the extended position. The bush 17 is also provided with an annular corresponding base 70 having an outer annular front nipple or internal thread 72. Flange 46 at the end of needle 44 frictionally engages front nipple 78 or engages threads 72.

After use, the needle 44 of this embodiment is removed with the safety device 10 and discarded. When removing the sleeve 14
All you have to do is grab and pull. Then bush 17
The frictional engagement between the receiving portion and the hollow connecting portion 54 is released. If the hollow connecting portion 54 is screwed onto the cylindrical portion 22, the sleeve 14 need only be unscrewed.

8 and 9 show a type in which the needle 76 and the bush 51 are integrally combined. The integral needle and bush 51 are formed together with a base 74 having an outer shape corresponding to the outer shape of the bush 16. in this case,
The needle 76 is pre-mounted by the manufacturer and the safety sleeve 14 is placed in the retracted position. The needle 76 is stored and shipped by covering the packaging cap 18. The needle base 74 can cooperate with the sleeve 14 shown in FIGS. Thus, the base 74 is generally annular and has a cylindrical outer surface adapted to fit the inner surface of the sleeve 14. Base 74 is also groove 2
6a, 26b, and these grooves 26a, 26
b can cooperate with the vertical ribs 24 on the inner surface of the sleeve 14. The base 74 also has tongues 30a, 30b,
These tongues are the two recesses 28a,
28b and the slots 34a and 34b. In other words, the bush and needle structure are
In the case of the embodiment of FIG. 9, it is integrally molded as a single unit.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those having ordinary skill in the art can provide various modifications and alternative forms without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there. For example, although the sleeve has been described as being wholly or partially translucent, the sleeve can be an opaque material provided it has a window or slot so that the scale of the syringe can be read. Also, the sleeve may be entirely opaque if the scale of the syringe does not need to be read directly. The present invention can be used with any type of medical or industrial device, such as intravenous needles, catheters, and other pointed or bladed devices. Other variations of this safety device could be used with other types of syringes and medical devices without departing from the scope of this invention. The present invention therefore also comprises alternative forms to the particular forms described in the advantageous embodiments and is not limited to the language of the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a needle safety device together with a packaging cap, and FIG. 2 is a developed isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. , A fitting or bush, a sleeve, a standard hypodermic syringe, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a hypodermic syringe fitted with a second embodiment of the safety device according to the invention, with the safety sleeve in the retracted position. And FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the second embodiment mounted on the hypodermic syringe, showing the safety sleeve locked in the extended position, and FIG. 5 is a safety device according to the present invention. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the syringe with the safety sleeve disposed between the hypodermic needle and the hypodermic needle, i.e. in the retracted position, Figure 6 shows the safety sleeve locked in the extended position. Third according to the invention in a conditioned state
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the embodiment, FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of the third embodiment of the present invention, and shows a hypodermic syringe barrel, a safety sleeve, a bush, and a hypodermic needle, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment showing the hypodermic needle together with a fitting or bush constructed as an integral part of the needle base, FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing a hypodermic needle together with a fitting or bush constructed as an integral part of the needle base. 10 ... Needle safety device, 12 ... Hypodermic syringe, 14 ... Safety sleeve, 16 ... Attachment or bushing, 18 ... Packaging cap, 20 ... Protrusion, 22 ... Syringe cylindrical portion, 24 ... Vertical ribs, 26 ... Groove, 28 ... Recesses or notches, 30 ... Tongue, 32 ... Flange, 34 ... Slot, 35 ... Outer cylindrical surface, 36 ... Inner surface, 38 ... Leading portion of cylindrical section, 40 ... Retaining flange, 42 ... Lip, 44 ... Hypodermic injection needle, 46 ... Needle mounting portion, 50 ... Outer tube portion, 52 ... Inner thread, 54 ... Connection portion, 56 ... Flange, 58 ... Corresponding base, 60 ... Groove, 62 ... Notch, 64 ... Rib, 66 … Tongue, 68…
Lip, 70 ... Compatible base, 72 ... Inner thread, 74 ... Needle base

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A needle safety device for a hypodermic syringe assembly comprising a hypodermic needle and a syringe cylinder having a leading portion adjacent to the hypodermic needle, the device being attachable to the hypodermic syringe assembly. In the form of a separate assembly having an unprotected or irreversible protective shape for the needle in combination with a syringe assembly, the following are provided in combination: the outer part A separate mountable mount having an inner portion and an inner portion, the inner portion being in releasable frictional engagement with the leading portion of the cylindrical portion to provide a fixed position on the leading portion of the cylindrical portion. A hollow safety sleeve on the fitting, the sleeve adapted to cooperate with the fitting, and an inner surface adapted to cooperate with the fitting; A guide surface for slidably connecting the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer portion of the fitting, the sleeve having a surface and a distal end and a proximal end; Movable axially, exposing the needle in the longitudinal direction of the needle, between an unprotected retracted position and a protective extended position over the needle; and a sleeve relative to the fitting Means are provided for irreversible locking only in the extended position, which prevent axial and rotational movements of the sleeve relative to the fitting and in which the sleeve is in the protective extended position. The sleeve forms a safety device that projects beyond the tip of the sleeve and is irreversibly blocked from approaching the needle once the sleeve is moved once to the extended position; To Locking means is provided on the outer surface of the fitting and has at least one elastic axial rib terminating in an outwardly extending tongue.
The tongue is preloaded radially outwardly by the ribs to engage the sleeve and is irreversible with the tongue when the sleeve is axially positioned in the extended position. Device for a hypodermic needle, characterized in that it is adapted for positive engagement. 2. A needle safety device for a hypodermic syringe assembly comprising a hypodermic needle and a syringe barrel having a leading portion adjacent to the hypodermic needle, the device being attachable to the hypodermic syringe assembly. In the form of a separate assembly having an unprotected or irreversible protective shape for the needle in combination with a syringe assembly, the following are provided in combination: the outer part A separate mountable mount having an inner portion and an inner portion, the inner portion being in releasable frictional engagement with the leading portion of the cylindrical portion to provide a fixed position on the leading portion of the cylindrical portion. A hollow safety sleeve on the fitting, the sleeve adapted to cooperate with the fitting, and an inner surface adapted to cooperate with the fitting; A surface, a distal end and a proximal end; guide means are provided for slidably connecting the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer portion of the fitting, such that the sleeve moves over the fitting. Movable axially, exposing the needle in the longitudinal direction of the needle, between an unprotected retracted position and a protective extended position over the needle; and a sleeve relative to the fitting Means are provided for irreversible locking only in the extended position, which prevent axial and rotational movements of the sleeve relative to the fitting and in which the sleeve is in the protective extended position. The sleeve forms a safety device which projects beyond the tip of the sleeve and is irreversibly blocked from approaching the needle once the sleeve has been moved once into the extended position; Along And two ribs that are vertically arranged and are separated from each other by about 180 °,
Located on the outer portion of the fitting and having two slots spaced about 180 ° apart from each other and adapted to slidably cooperate with the ribs; irreversibly with the sleeve in the extended position Means for locking are provided on the outer surface of the fitting and have two elastic axial ribs spaced approximately 180 ° from each other and ending in outwardly extending tongues, the tongues being ribs. Radially outwardly preloaded by means of an engaging sleeve and which engages the tongue irreversibly when the sleeve is axially positioned in the extended position. Safety device for hypodermic needles, characterized in that it is adapted as follows. 3. A needle safety device for a hypodermic syringe assembly, comprising a hypodermic needle and a syringe barrel having a leading portion adjacent to the hypodermic needle, the device being attachable to the hypodermic syringe assembly. In the form of a separate assembly having an unprotected or irreversible protective shape for the needle in combination with a syringe assembly, the following are provided in combination: the outer part A separate mountable mount having an inner portion and an inner portion, the inner portion being in releasable frictional engagement with the leading portion of the cylindrical portion to provide a fixed position on the leading portion of the cylindrical portion. A hollow safety sleeve on the fitting, the sleeve adapted to cooperate with the fitting, and an inner surface adapted to cooperate with the fitting; A guide surface for slidably connecting the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer portion of the fitting, the sleeve having a surface and a distal end and a proximal end; Movable axially, exposing the needle in the longitudinal direction of the needle, between an unprotected retracted position and a protective extended position over the needle; and a sleeve relative to the fitting Means are provided for irreversible locking only in the extended position, which prevent axial and rotational movements of the sleeve relative to the fitting and in which the sleeve is in the protective extended position. The sleeve forms a safety device which projects beyond the tip of the sleeve and is irreversibly blocked from approaching the needle once the sleeve has been moved once into the extended position; Along And two ribs that are vertically arranged and are separated from each other by about 180 °,
Located on the outer portion of the fitting and having two slots spaced about 180 ° apart from each other and adapted to slidably cooperate with the ribs; irreversibly with the sleeve in the extended position Locking means are provided on the outer surface of the fixture and have at least one elastic axial rib terminating in an outwardly extending tongue,
The tongue is preloaded radially outwardly by the ribs to engage the sleeve and is adapted to irreversibly engage the tongue in the extended position. Safety device for hypodermic needles, which is characterized in that 4. A recess on the inner surface of the sleeve near the distal end adapted to irreversibly lock the sleeve in the extended position further adapted to reversibly frictionally engage the tongue. 4. The hypodermic needle of claim 3 having a slot and a slot on the inner surface of the sleeve near the proximal end adapted to irreversibly frictionally engage the tongue. Safety device. 5. The hypodermic needle safety device of claim 3, wherein the rib extends axially from the fitting in the direction of the needle. 6. The hypodermic needle safety device of claim 3, wherein the rib extends axially from the fitting in the direction of the cylindrical portion. 7. A needle safety device for a hypodermic syringe assembly comprising a hypodermic needle and a syringe barrel having a leading portion adjacent to the hypodermic needle, the device being attachable to the hypodermic syringe assembly. In the form of a separate assembly having an unprotected or irreversible protective shape for the needle in combination with a syringe assembly, the following are provided in combination: the outer part A separate mountable mount having an inner portion and an inner portion, the inner portion being in releasable frictional engagement with the leading portion of the cylindrical portion to provide a fixed position on the leading portion of the cylindrical portion. A hollow safety sleeve on the fitting, the sleeve adapted to cooperate with the fitting, and an inner surface adapted to cooperate with the fitting; A guide surface for slidably connecting the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer portion of the fitting, the sleeve having a surface and a distal end and a proximal end; Movable axially in the longitudinal direction of the needle to expose the needle, between an unprotected retracted position and a protective, extended position over the needle; and a sleeve in the protective, extended position over the needle. Retaining means are provided, the retaining means being provided on the outer surface of the fitting, extending axially from the fitting in the direction of the tip of the needle and preloading for locking engagement with the sleeve. At least one elastic, cantilevered rib,
An outwardly extending tongue, the tongue being preloaded outward in the radial direction by the ribs to engage the sleeve and the sleeve engaging the tongue in the extended position. Hypodermic needle safety device, characterized in that it is adapted to fit. 8. The hypodermic needle safety device of claim 7, wherein the retaining means includes means for irreversibly locking the sleeve and fitting in the extended position.