Abstract

A disposable safety syringe, such as a dental syringe, comprising a syringe cylinder having proximal and distal ends, a pre-filled fluid medication cartridge movable through the cylinder, and a double-ended hypodermic needle cannula extending through and being retained at the distal end of the cylinder between a pair of rotatable jaws. A piston is movable distally through the cartridge for expulsing the fluid contents via the needle cannula and for engaging one end of the cannula. The cartridge is moved through the cylinder and into contact with the needle retaining jaws to cause said jaws to be rotated relative to the needle cannula. Accordingly, the jaws are moved out of engagement with the needle cannula. The piston is then moved proximally through the medication cartridge for correspondingly retracting the needle cannula past the jaws and into the empty medication cartridge, wherein the cannula is completely shielded and irretrievably located. The syringe is now rendered non-reuseable and suitable for a safe disposal without subjecting health care workers to an accidental needle strike as a consequence of a careless handling or cutting of the cannula.