A syringe flange protector for transmitting an axial force from a drive element to a syringe barrel, the syringe barrel having a flange projecting radially from the barrel； comprising a spacer element that is adapted to be disposed axially rearward of at least part of the flange, and is further adapted to communicate with the drive element through one or more points at a first radial distance from a longitudinal axis of the spacer element, and to transmit axial force from the drive element to the barrel through one or more points at a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the spacer element, where the second radial distance is less than the first radial distance.
