Collet mechanism and method of molding cannula to a syringe barrel

A method of manufacturing a syringe comprising the steps of:

• positioning a proximal end of a cannula having an opposing beveled tip onto a recessed tip of a mold core member having an external surface;
• forming a mold cavity space having the shape of a syringe barrel by positioning a mold over the core member and positioned cannula so that at least the proximal end of the positioned cannula is exposed to the mold cavity space and so that the cannula extends through the mold into a tapered receiving port thereof at least partially surrounding the beveled tip of the cannula;
• inserting a collet mechanism having at least two cannula guides in an open position through the mold so that at least a portion of the collet mechanism is positioned within the tapered receiving port of the mold and over the beveled tip of the cannula;
• guiding the collet mechanism against the tapered receiving port into a closed position so that the cannula guides clamp a portion of the cannula to hold the cannula generally in alignment with a longitudinal axis of the collet mechanism and with a longitudinal axis of the core member;
• injecting polymeric material into the mold cavity space and over at least the proximal end of the cannula while the collet mechanism remains closed;
• allowing the polymeric material to cool until substantially solidified over and attached to at least the proximal end of the cannula, thus forming the syringe;
• removing the collet mechanism from the mold so that the cannula guides release the cannula;
• removing the mold;
• and
• removing the syringe from the core member.