A
safety syringe having a sheath advanceable into a covered position by operation of the
plunger with a mechanism for securing the sheath in the covered position. A bar extends across the interior of the
barrel. One or more arms depend from the sheath, engaging the
plunger directly or indirectly. Depressing the
plunger pushes the sheath, via the arms, into the covered position. The arms each include a first and a second tooth. As the sheath is advanced, the first tooth will encounter the bar. The
leading edge of the first tooth is beveled to allow the tooth to pass over the bar. The
trailing edge of the first tooth is not beveled, preventing the first tooth from being pulled back over the bar. The
leading edge of the second tooth is likewise not beveled, also preventing the second tooth from passing over the bar. The first and second teeth lock the bar between them, preventing the sheath and arms from moving in either direction. Thus, the sheath will be locked in the covered position when the bar is between the teeth. Additional security is provided by locking the fully depressed plunger in the
barrel. Locking the plunger in place will prevent the sheath from returning to the exposed position. Additionally, the fully depressed plunger is sized to be completely contained within the
barrel, inhibiting access to the plunger and making forcible retraction of the plunger more difficult, thereby further inhibiting reuse of the
syringe.