Disposable Safety Needle Guard

Abstract

A hypodermic needle safety guard is provided. The safety guard includes two symmetrically arranged multi-function arms including spring tension, multiple hinges, and a needle lock. The arms connect a proximal luer body and a distal alignment apex, which can allow the guard to open, close, and lock onto the needle when manual pressure is applied. The guard position during use of the hypodermic needle tends to prevent sharps injuries by adjusting the exposure of the needle tip.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This case claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 665,662, filed October 28, 2019.

[0002] The invention relates to safety devices and, more particularly, to disposable safety hypodermic needle guards. [Background technology]

[0003] There are several types of safety guards on the market today that are used to prevent injuries caused by sharps and are either integrated with or attached to the syringes to which the hypodermic needle is attached. The main function of the safety guard is the safe use of the needle and syringe during handling and disposal of the hypodermic needle. Throughout the process of preparation, filling, administration, and disposal of the hypodermic needle, the safety guard is typically detached from the needle, thereby exposing the user to the possibility of injury, whether from sharps or other forms. To prevent the possibility of injury and reduce the risk, there is a need for a needle guard that stays in place during the entire use of the syringe and needle, i.e., during filling, application, and disposal, which is safer for the user. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a guard that remains on or near the hypodermic needle during all stages of its use, in which the guard changes shape during its use or operation, such as when the needle is stored, filled, transported, used, or prohibited from use.

[0005] In one embodiment, a disposable needle safety guard covers the hypodermic needle, preventing the needle from causing sharps injuries during transport, storage, etc., yet allowing the needle to be used without manually removing the guard from the needle or syringe. The guard is likely to be useful from storage, to filling the syringe with liquid, to transporting it and administering the liquid, and potentially even until it is "locked" for disposal. Such a guard can function to prevent sharps injuries during use of the hypodermic needle until it is discarded, and alternative embodiments can also alternatively or additionally function to prevent secondary use of the needle when it is used and finally closed and locked.

[0006] In one embodiment, there is a hypodermic or injection needle guard configured to reduce the possibility of sharps injury and increase overall safety of use. The guard of the embodiment can be permanently attached to the needle body and configured to assume a configuration that provides greater safety of use during needle use. The guard can be configured to change configuration from a first configuration for storage / transport, to a second configuration for loading / administration, and to a third configuration to resist further use. In the embodiment, the configuration can be changed by integral or feature-formed hinges and with a positional needle lock. Such configuration changes tend to allow for greater versatility and safety during the needle use cycle, since the guard, as so configured, does not need to be removed or disengaged from the needle or syringe. The guard of an embodiment can further provide functional benefits in the administration of fluids, since the fluid remains in place. For example, a guard surface can be configured to expand the pressure footprint of the skin surface during use to reduce the sensation associated with injection. In one embodiment, the disposable feature can be achieved, for example, by a guard having a one-time locking feature located around the needle tube that only allows secondary use upon destruction of the guard.

[0007] In one embodiment there is a guard device for a hypodermic needle. The guard comprises a needle surround adapted to accommodate a needle tube therethrough and a plurality of arms extending from the needle surround, each arm movable from a first position to a second position, in the first position each arm extends substantially the length of the needle tube. When the plurality of arms are moved to the second position, the arms position the needle surround around the needle tube in a state that allows a portion of the length of the needle tube to pass therethrough.

[0008] Each of the plurality of arms may be adapted to reconfigure each arm from a first position to a second position. The reconfiguration of each arm may be provided by two or more hinges on each arm. A first hinge may be proximate to the needle surround and a second hinge may be disposed further along each arm distal to the first hinge.

[0009] The arms may be molded plastic, with each hinge provided by a thin plastic section that is more flexible than other sections of the arm. The thin plastic section arm hinges may be manufactured in a configuration that creates an inherent varying spring value. The needle surround may be molded plastic. The arms and needle surround may be molded together.

[0010] The arm may have a retaining feature thereon adapted to releasably engage with the needle tube when the arm is in a first position, and when the retaining feature is releasably engaged with the needle tube, the feature may provide a resistive force against moving the arm from the first position to a second position where the arm extends substantially along the length of the needle tube. Upon application of a release force that overcomes the resistive force, the retaining feature may be disengaged from the needle tube allowing the retaining feature to move to the second position. The arm may include a second retaining feature. The second retaining feature may be engageable with the needle when the arm is moved to the third locked position. The second retaining feature may provide a locking force greater than the release force to maintain the arm in the locked position whereby the arm extends substantially along the length of the needle tube. The retaining feature may be triangular in shape. The retaining feature may be less than 60% of the diameter of the needle tube. The second retaining feature may be triangular in shape. The second retaining feature may be greater than or equal to 60% of the diameter of the needle tube.

[0011] The first and second retention features can each be a groove molded on a retention feature arm extending from the arm. The retention feature arm can be molded together with the arm. The second retention feature can be closer to the arm than the first retention feature.

[0012] The first retention feature may include a first set of grooves and the second retention feature may include a second set of grooves. Each groove of the first set of grooves and each groove of the second set of grooves may each be molded on a separate retention feature arm extending from an arm. Each such retention feature arm may be molded together with the arm. Each groove of the second set of grooves may be closer to the arm than each groove of the first set of grooves.

[0013] The first retention feature may include a triangular shaped engagement block on a first retention feature arm that extends a first distance from the arm. The second retention feature may include a triangular shaped engagement block on a second retention feature arm that extends a second distance from the arm. The second distance may be less than the first distance.

[0014] The guard device may be integral with a needle body housing of a hypodermic needle connected to a needle tube. The guard device may be attachable to a needle body housing of a hypodermic needle connected to a needle tube. The guard device may be attachable to the needle body housing by a luer lock. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a needle guard according to the invention assembled on a needle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is another isometric view of the assembled needle guard and needle of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the needle guard assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of the needle guard assembly of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a rear view of the needle guard assembly. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the needle guard assembly of FIG. 3 taken along line 6-6. [Figure 7] 7 is another cross-sectional view of the needle guard assembly of FIG. 5 taken along line 7-7. [Figure 8] 2 is a side view of the needle guard assembly of FIG. 1 with the guard in a first position. [Figure 9] 2 is another side view of the needle guard assembly of FIG. 1 with the guard in a second position. [Figure 10] 2 is another side view of the needle guard assembly of FIG. 1 with the guard in a third position. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the guard locking feature of one embodiment of a needle guard assembly shown from the rear of the front side. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the needle and needle guard assembly in an exploded view. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the needle guard assembly in relation to the hypodermic syringe body. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing a needle guard assembly assembled to a hypodermic syringe body. [Figure 15]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled needle guard assembly and hypodermic syringe body of FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the needle guard assembly of FIG. 1 in a partially open position. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the needle guard of FIG. 1 in a partially open position. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of a needle guard assembly in a first position. [Figure 19] FIG. 20 is a top view of the needle guard needle assembly of FIG. 18 in a second position. [Figure 20] 20 is a front cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the needle guard assembly of FIG. 19 having an alternative tube locking feature taken along line 20-20. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a tube locking feature of the needle guard assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] It will be understood that for brevity and clarity of description, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or similar elements or steps. In addition, numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way, but should be considered merely as illustrating the implementation of various embodiments described herein.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, there is an attachable needle guard, or integrated needle and guard, for a hypodermic needle that protects the user from accidental sharps injury, where once assembled on the needle, the guard is designed to be permanently attached to the needle. In one embodiment, the guard can be constructed of two arms that extend on two or more sides of the needle tube from a central body, a solid body with a central needle hole and forward of the needle tip. The forward extending arms can be flexed and reshaped, such as by hinges that can be integral. In one embodiment, these hinges can be thin walled plastic part areas that allow it to flex and reshape. As constructed, when a force is applied to the front of the guard, the hinges allow portions of the guard's arms to flex away from the needle tube. The direction, angle, and / or location of the flex can be controlled by the initial formation of the guard or by the manufacturer. For example, during the molding process, the arms can be positioned such that when pressure is applied to the front of the guard, the arms can flex open in an outward direction, allowing the needle to extend beyond the face of the guard (or retract the face of the guard to expose the needle). When the force is removed from the front of the guard, the arms can be configured to return to a partially open configuration to protect the needle and tip. In one embodiment, the position can be controlled by locking features extending from the inner surface of the arms. These locks can be positional. The position of the locking features can be configured around the needle tube, such as for temporary and permanent locks. In one embodiment, the temporary lock can be engaged to prevent sharps injury during shipping or general use, while the permanent lock can be engaged to allow the needle to be discarded, such as after use to resist reuse. In one embodiment, the lock can be fully engaged by pinching the arms together and toward the tube. When the arms are clamped inward toward the needle tube, they change from an openable configuration, such as a concave shape, to one that is locked by the locking feature, such as a convex shape, and resists opening.The locking feature of the needle tube may be comprised of multiple pieces on each arm. In the current embodiment, there is a primary feature and a secondary feature. The primary feature provides an initial needle retention position and then a secondary permanent lock. The difference between the position and the locking feature is the surface features. These features change height and provide different degrees of interference during assembly. For example, when the face of the guard is pressed, the guard opens and the needle extends. The interference required for this shape change is minimal. When the guard is clamped for disposal, the amount of interference is more and is intended not to be overcome. Additionally, the shape of the interference during the disposal step can be linear or sloped to allow for a constant or increasing force requirement. The current embodiment incorporates a triangular shaped feature that provides an increasing force requirement. Next to the primary feature is an additional feature that is on top of or offset from the first feature. That arrangement creates a lock of the first feature on the needle. Through deformation, when the guard is manipulated, the needle is permanently locked in place by the secondary feature. This feature may additionally be shaped to provide constant and increasing force requirements. In addition to the general safety functions of a needle guard, the guard may also provide a greater surface area through the face of the guard onto the skin when the needle is inserted into the skin. This increased surface area may tend to reduce the amount of pain felt by the user during needle administration.

[0018] For example, in one embodiment, the configuration of the needle guard can change with applied pressure during its use cycle. When the front face of the guard is placed in contact with the body and then a force is applied to the needle body, the arms of the guard open and then the needle tip can extend beyond the face of the guard. As the guard arms open, the spring feature of the living hinge is compressed. In such an embodiment, the force applied to the needle body to extend the needle tip into the subject's body must be greater than the force required for the spring in the hinge to fold or open. When the forward force is removed or is less than the spring hinge force, the guard arms begin to return substantially to their initial extended configuration. In the absence of force applied to the face of the guard, no force is stored in the spring arms.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary needle guard 1 is shown assembled on a known hypodermic needle 2. As shown, the guard 1 is sized and permanently assembled to fit the needle body 3 of the needle 2. The guard may optionally be an interference fit on the hypodermic needle. The needle guard 1 is disposed on the body of the needle 3 and has an arm 9 about the needle tube 4. In this embodiment, a locking feature is provided by a tube lock (or retaining feature) 5 disposed about the needle tube 4, which may also, in embodiments, hold the guard 1 in a partially open position. In one embodiment, the partially open, or less open position, may be defined by grooves on tabs extending from the arms. These grooves allow the needle to slide in and out of the locked position by a bidirectional feature. The bidirectional feature may be achieved by a reduced lead-in and shallow depth. Also shown is a clamping position 6 on the guard 1 that may be used to apply pressure on the guard 1 to close it around the needle tube 4 when the needle 2 has been used and is ready for disposal. The front face 7 of the guard 1 is additionally shown, along with a relief notch 8 in the arm 9 which can receive and occupy the tube lock 5 when the guard 1 is in a more open position, such as when the guard is fully open.

[0020] 2, an isometric view of the guard 1 is shown with the orientation of the clamping position 6 shown in the upper and lower positions. This view shows the tube lock 5 and guard 1, arm 9, and cutout 8 from a second perspective. Also shown in this embodiment is an integral hinge 11 in the arm 9 that allows the guard 1 to flex and open and close in different positions during its use. As shown, the guard 1 has a front surface 7, indicating that the needle 2 may pass through the through hole 10 when the guard 1 is open to the second position.

[0021] 3 is a top view of the guard 1 and needle 2. It shows the guard body, arms 9, clamping locations 6, relief cutouts 8, living hinges 11, and front face 7. Additionally, it shows the needle 2, needle body 3, and luer lock feature of this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 4 shows the front face of the needle guard 1 and needle 2 assembly. This view shows the front face 7 of the guard 1, the clamping position 6, and the body of the needle 1. The needle tube 4 can also be seen passing through the needle through hole 10 in the centre of the front face 7.

[0023] 5 is a rear view of the assembly of guard 1 and needle 2. The double D-shape of the needle body 3 and the main center location of the needle tube 4 are shown. The clamping position 6 is also shown. In the embodiment shown, the double D-shape is a feature that is attached to the luer lock 14 and the hypodermic needle body 3.

[0024] In Figures 6 and 7 there is a cross-sectional view of the assembly in a first, pre-use position of one embodiment. This view shows the assembled assembly of the needle body 3 and the needle guard 1. The central needle tube 4 and its relationship to the needle guard 1 can also be seen. The cross-sectional view also shows the tube lock 5 configured around the needle tube 4, which shows the needle tip 12 positioned to pass through a through hole 10 in the body of the guard 1 adjacent the front face 7. This placement of the needle tip 12 in the through hole 10, not extending beyond the hole in this position, means that the tip 12 is protected and the user is protected from accidental sharps injury. As configured and shown, the tip 12 cannot be accessed unless the lock 5 releases the needle tube 4 and the front face 10 moves back away from the needle tip 12 towards the needle body 3. When the lock 5 is released from the tube 4, the arm 9 on the guard 1 can flex by the living hinge 11.

[0025] Figure 8 shows a side view of the guard 1 and needle 2 assembly showing the features of the guard 1. You can see the body 1, arm 9, living hinge 11, notch 8 in arm 9, clamping location 6, needle tube lock 5, needle tip 12, needle tube 4, and front surface 7. This view also shows an embodiment with the living hinge 11 as a thinned section of the arm 9. This thinned section of the hinge 11 allows the plastic of the arm 9 to flex at specific locations that can be adjusted along the arm 9 as desired.

[0026] FIG. 8 further shows the arms 9 in an initial molded or formed recessed position. This position provides an initial configuration for the arms 9 to move away from. For example, when pressure is applied to the front face 7 of the guard 1, the tube lock 5 releases the tube 4 and the arms 9 of the guard 1 begin to open. In the embodiment shown, the opening is the movement of the arms 9 such that the angle between them decreases. Their initial configuration, as shown, has portions of the arms 9 substantially flat or substantially oriented at 180 degrees, perhaps with a small recess relative to the needle tube 4. As the arms 9 open, portions of the arms 9 begin to fold as each arm 9 portion becomes substantially parallel.

[0027] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly in the open or second position. Here, portions of each guard arm 9 are close to parallel to one another and the angle between them is close to zero. As shown, the tube lock 5 is positioned so that it can occupy the complementary notch 8 in the arm 9. As shown, the tube lock 5 in this embodiment has two position locking features. In one embodiment, the locking feature can have a first groove of a tab on the arm with a shallow angle feature thereon that allows the needle to slide in and out of it multiple times. The tab can also have the ability to flex relative to the arm. The locking feature can have a second feature configured for use as a locking position, which can have a steeper angle that prevents the needle tube from sliding in and out once engaged. Then, for example, when the needle tube contacts an angled surface it can move over it. When the tube contacts a surface perpendicular to it at between 45 and 90 degrees, the tube is stopped and locked. Such a surface may be used as a locking element in an embodiment, allowing the guard to be locked and unlocked to the needle.

[0028] 10 and 11, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the guard 1 on the needle 2 in a third position of the assembly where pressure has been applied to the recess 6 to re-close the guard 1 around the needle tube 4 after use. This view shows the tube locks 5 in position on the needle tube 4. These locks are in the position shown in Figures 10 and 11 where the needle tube 4 has moved past the groove 14 into the permanent locking groove 13 of the locks 5 from the position shown in Figure 9. In one embodiment, the groove 13 is configured such that once the tube 4 has been pushed into the groove 13, the guard 1 will not reopen by simply pressing on the guard's face 7 (as opposed to when the tube was in the initial position of groove 12 shown in Figure 8).

[0029] 11 shows two positions of the needle tube lock 5 in one embodiment. Position 1 (shown as 12) can be used during storage, transport, or use of the needle and can be relatively easily engaged and disengaged. Position 2 (shown as 12) is a more permanent lock of the needle tube 4. This more permanent position is achieved by pressing the finger recess 6 towards the needle tube 4 to lock the guard onto the needle such that the more permanent position of the lock 5 resists further exposure of the needle tip 12 beyond the guard surface 7 and therefore resists further use of the needle.

[0030] FIG. 12 shows the needle guard 1 and needle 2 in an exploded view before they are assembled together, such as by permanently joining.

[0031] FIG. 13 shows an assembly of needle guard 1 and needle 2 being attached to a hypodermic needle body 15.

[0032] FIG. 14 shows the needle guard 1 and needle 2 installed on a hypodermic needle 15 .

[0033] FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled needle guard and needle showing the needle body 3 locked into and onto the luer lock 14 of the hypodermic needle body 15.

[0034] Figure 16 shows the needle and guard in a partially open position showing the shape of the guard arm with the tube lock 5 and secondary locking guard feature 16. As can be seen, the locking guard feature 16 in this embodiment cooperates with groove 13 to lock the needle tube 4 once the tube 4 has moved past groove 14 so that the guard 1 will not re-open by simply pressing on face 7 of the guard (once the needle tube 4 is in groove 13 and locking guard feature 16).

[0035] 17 shows the needle guard in a partially open position, such as while moving from a less open to a more open position. In one embodiment where it is a one-piece product, the needle may be manufactured with the guard so that it cannot be removed from the body. In one embodiment, the hub perimeter guard incorporates the slip and twist lure lock feature of the hypodermic needle hub.

[0036] FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the needle guard assembly in a partially open position. In this embodiment, an alternative tube locking or retention feature is shown for capturing the needle tube 4. In this embodiment, the locking or retention feature is shown as retention feature arms, or capture arms 17 and 18, with a primary locking capture or retention feature (such as a first groove) on one arm 17 and a secondary locking capture or retention feature (such as a second groove) on the second arm 18. In this embodiment, splitting the retention feature into two separate arms creates multiple forces that capture and lock the needle 4 in different use positions. In this embodiment, the first and second arms 17 and 18 are configured to provide locking capture features (such as grooves) at different distances from the arm 9 to provide multi-stage position retention or locking.

[0037] 19 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the needle guard in a closed or partially locked position. The figure shows feature retaining arms 17 and 18 capturing needle tube 4 in a first position where tube 4 is within the retaining feature (such as a groove) of arm 17 but prior to the locking feature (such as a groove) of arm 18.

[0038] Figure 20 shows a cross-sectional view of the needle guard assembly of Figure 19 in a partially locked position. In this view, needle tube 4 is shown in a first position retained by the retaining feature of arm 17. As shown, the secondary locked position is disengaged but can be engaged when arm 9 is compressed to engage the retaining feature of arm 18.

[0039] It will be understood that additional arms and / or locking features may be used. For example, Figure 21 shows a detailed isometric view of another embodiment of the tube capture feature of the needle guard. In the illustrated embodiment, three retention feature arms or capture arms 20, 23, and 24 are shown, each having grooves 21 and 22 thereon. In that embodiment, grooves 21 and 22 provide primary and secondary locks for capturing needle tube 4 in first and secondary locked positions when arms 9 are compressed as described above.

[0040] The present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that several variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.

Claims

1. A guard device for use with a hypodermic injection needle comprising a needle body and a needle tube disposed on the tip side of the needle body, a needle surrounding body adapted to have the needle tube pass therethrough; a plurality of arms extending from the needle body, each arm of the plurality of arms being movable from a first position to a second position, each arm in the first position extending substantially the length of the needle tube; When the plurality of arms are moved to the second position, each of the plurality of arms causes the needle surrounding body to pass a portion of the length of the needle tube through the inside of the needle surrounding body, at least one of the plurality of arms includes a first retention feature adapted to releasably engage the needle tube when the arm is in the first position, the first retention feature providing a resistance force against moving the arm from the first position to the second position in which the arm extends substantially along the length of the needle tube when the first retention feature is releasably engaged with the needle tube, and upon application of a release force that overcomes the resistance force, the retention feature disengages from the needle tube to allow the retention feature to move to the second position; each arm of the plurality of arms includes a second retaining feature engageable with the needle tube when the arm is moved to a third locked position, the second retaining feature providing a locking force greater than the release force of the first retaining feature to maintain each of the plurality of arms in the third locked position, whereby the arms extend substantially along the length of the needle tube.

2. A guard device for use with a hypodermic injection needle comprising a needle body and a needle tube disposed on the tip side of the needle body, a needle surrounding body adapted to have the needle tube pass therethrough; a plurality of arms extending from the needle body, each arm of the plurality of arms being movable from a first position to a second position, each arm in the first position extending substantially the length of the needle tube; When the plurality of arms are moved to the second position, each of the plurality of arms causes the needle surrounding body to pass a portion of the length of the needle tube through the inside of the needle surrounding body, each of the plurality of arms is adapted to reconfigure each arm of the plurality of arms from the first position to the second position; the reshaping of each arm of the plurality of arms includes a plurality of hinges; a first hinge disposed on each arm of the plurality of arms proximate to the needle surround, and a second hinge disposed along each arm of the plurality of arms distal from the first hinge; the plurality of arms are molded plastic, the first hinge and the second hinge include a thin walled plastic section that is more flexible than other sections of each arm of the plurality of arms, the thin walled plastic section being manufactured in a configuration that creates an inherent varying spring value; at least one of the plurality of arms includes a first retention feature adapted to releasably engage the needle tube when the arm is in the first position, the first retention feature providing a resistance force against moving the arm from the first position to the second position in which the arm extends substantially along the length of the needle tube when the first retention feature is releasably engaged with the needle tube, and upon application of a release force that overcomes the resistance force, the retention feature disengages from the needle tube to allow the retention feature to move to the second position; each arm of the plurality of arms includes a second retaining feature engageable with the needle tube when the arm is moved to a third locked position, the second retaining feature providing a locking force greater than the release force of the first retaining feature to maintain each of the plurality of arms in the third locked position, whereby the arms extend substantially along the length of the needle tube.

3. 3. The guard device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second retention features are each less than 60% of the diameter of the needle tube.

4. 3. The guard device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second retention features are each grooves molded on a retention feature arm extending from one of the multiple arms, the retention feature arm being molded together with the one of the multiple arms, and the second retention feature being closer to the one of the multiple arms than the first retention feature.

5. 3. A guard device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first retention feature includes a first set of grooves and the second retention feature includes a second set of grooves, each groove of the first set of grooves and each groove of the second set of grooves are each molded on a separate retention feature arm extending from the arm, each such retention feature arm being molded together with the arm, and each groove of the second set of grooves being closer to the arm than each groove of the first set of grooves.

6. 3. A guard device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first retention feature includes an engagement block on a first retention feature arm that extends a first distance from the arm and the second retention feature includes an engagement block on a second retention feature arm that extends a second distance from the arm, the second distance being less than the first distance.

7. 3. The guard device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the needle surround is molded plastic and is molded with the arms.

8. 8. The guard device of claim 7, wherein the guard device is integral with a needle body housing of the hypodermic needle connected to the needle tube.

9. 8. The guard device of claim 7, wherein the guard device is attachable to a needle body housing of the hypodermic needle connected to the needle tube.

10. 10. The guard device of claim 9, wherein the guard device is attachable to the needle body housing by a luer lock.

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