AT525474B1 - Reusable collection container for collecting used medical devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a reusable collection container for collecting used medical devices, wherein the collection container (1) has an insertion opening (2) through which used metallic medical devices can be inserted into the collection container (1), and an outlet opening (3) through which a content of the collection container (1) can be emptied into a container for disposal of used medical devices, wherein the outlet opening (3) is closed by a first closure element (4), and wherein the collection container (1) further has a locking element (5) for releasably closing the outlet opening (3) by the first closure element (4).

Description

Description

REUSABLE COLLECTION CONTAINER FOR COLLECTING USED MEDICAL DEVICES

[0001] The present invention relates to a reusable collection container for collecting used medical devices and in particular to a reusable collection container for collecting contaminated medical devices in hospitals, doctor's offices or other medical facilities, wherein the used medical devices can subsequently be disposed of and/or recycled.

[0002] Medical devices are understood here to mean medical waste, in particular metallic medical waste, for example medical implants, endoprostheses and single-use or reusable medical or surgical instruments. These used medical devices can be contaminated, i.e., for example, by microorganisms or harmful substances.

[0003] It is known to send such used medical devices to a final storage facility, for example depending on the respective level of contamination, where they are recycled, but often also directly incinerated. In hospitals, doctor's offices or medical facilities, the used medical devices are often collected in disposable or throw-away bags, which have to be purchased each time and which can be included as foreign bodies in a recycling process for the used medical devices.

[0004] From the publication EP 3 320 991 A1 a method for recycling, in particular contaminated, metallic medical devices is known, wherein used or contaminated metallic medical devices are collected in a flexible, sealable collection container, the filled collection container is closed and transferred into a sealable, rigid metal container, the filled metal container is pressed and the metal of the filled metal container is melted with recovery of the melted metals.

[0005] From the document US 5,829,588 A a reusable collection container for collecting medical devices is known.

[0006] From the document US 5,273,221 A a method for the safe disposal of used medical devices is known.

[0007] The object of embodiments of the invention is to provide an improved collection container for collecting used medical devices, in particular used metal medical devices in hospitals, doctor's offices or other medical facilities.

[0008] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, this object is achieved by a reusable collection container for collecting used medical devices, wherein the collection container has an insertion opening through which used metal medical devices can be inserted into the collection container, and an outlet opening through which a content of the collection container can be emptied into a container for disposal of used medical devices, wherein the outlet opening is closed by a first closure element, and wherein the collection container further has a locking element for releasably closing the outlet opening by the first closure element.

[0010] The term reusable collection container is understood here to mean a collection container for collecting used medical devices, in particular used metal medical devices, for example in doctor's offices, hospitals and other medical facilities, which, if necessary after cleaning and/or disinfection,

tion, can be reused.

[0011] In particular, the collection container is designed such that it has an outlet opening through which the contents of the collection container can be emptied into a corresponding container for disposal of used medical devices. The outlet opening is further closed by the closure element and the corresponding locking of the closure element in such a way that a user is very unlikely to come into contact with the potentially contaminated contents of the collection container when handling the collection container, wherein the corresponding locking mechanism can be designed such that the outlet opening is only released, i.e. the contents of the collection container can only exit from the outlet opening, when the outlet opening is placed in a form-fitting manner on a corresponding insertion opening formed in a container for disposal of used medical devices.

[0012] The fact that the collection container is reusable has the advantage that a new collection container does not have to be purchased every time, for example every time the collection container is full and has to be emptied into the container, which can save costs. Also, no foreign bodies are introduced when recycling the used medical devices. The fact that the locking element can be designed in such a way that the outlet opening is only released by the closure element when the collection container with the outlet opening is placed in a form-fitting manner on an insertion opening formed in a container for the disposal of used medical devices also has the advantage that the probability of a user coming into contact with the potentially contaminated objects when emptying the contents of the collection container into the container can be significantly reduced. Overall, an improved collection container for collecting used medical devices, in particular used metal medical devices in hospitals, doctor's offices or other medical facilities, is thus specified.

[0013] The used medical devices stored in the container for disposal of used medical devices can then be recycled.

[0014] The collection container can, for example, be made of a puncture-resistant, disinfectable material.

[0015] The term stab-resistant or stab-repellent material is understood to mean a material which is robust against external influences, in particular attempts at manipulation.

[0016] Disinfectable material is further understood to mean a material which can be repeatedly exposed to chemical or physical materials for disinfection or germ reduction, without this having a significant effect on material properties.

[0017] The material of the reusable collection container can therefore be selected in such a way that it has optimal properties in terms of disinfectability and tamper resistance. The appropriate choice of material can also ensure that sharp metal parts can be thrown into the collection container without damaging the collection container.

[0018] For example, the collection container can be made of stainless steel. Stainless steel is usually characterized by the fact that it is highly wear-resistant and at the same time germ-resistant.

[0019] According to the invention, the collection container further comprises a transport device for transporting the collection container, whereby the handling of the collection container and, for example, its transport to a corresponding container for the disposal of used medical devices is simplified.

[0020] The transport device can, for example, have a handle, whereby the handle can also be used to hang up the collection container, which can be

This proves to be advantageous when the medical staff does not have a free hand to hold the collection container. In addition, the transport device can also be designed in such a way that a user cannot come into contact with potentially contaminated contents of the collection container when transporting the collection container.

[0021] In particular, the transport device has a handle and a rotating mechanism, wherein the rotating mechanism is designed to be able to rotate the handle from a non-use position into a transport position in which the collecting container can be carried by means of the handle, wherein a second closure element is further formed on the rotating mechanism, wherein the second closure element is designed such that it closes the insertion opening after the handle has been rotated into the transport position.

[0022] The term handle is understood here to mean a gripping element by means of which a user can hold the collection container. This is designed in particular in such a way that when not in use it can be rotated to a non-use position in order to save space, in which it does not block the insertion opening in particular, and can be transferred to a transport position for use or transport.

[0023] The fact that the transport device is further designed such that the insertion opening is closed or blocked by the second closure element can further reduce the risk of a user coming into contact with the potentially contaminated contents of the collection container when transporting the collection container.

[0024] A further embodiment of the invention also provides a system for collecting used medical devices, the system comprising a reusable collection container and a container for disposing of used medical devices, the container having an insertion opening onto which the outlet opening of the collection container can be placed.

[0025] Such a system has the advantage that it has an improved collection container for collecting used medical devices, in particular used metal medical devices in hospitals, doctor's offices or other medical facilities. The fact that the collection container is reusable has the advantage that a new collection container does not have to be purchased every time, for example every time the collection container is full and has to be emptied into the container, which can save costs.

[0026] Also, no foreign bodies are introduced when recycling the used medical devices. The fact that the locking element can be designed such that the outlet opening is only released by the closure element when the collection container with the outlet opening is placed in a form-fitting manner on an insertion opening formed in the container also has the advantage that the risk of a user coming into contact with the potentially contaminated objects when emptying the contents of the collection container into the container can be significantly reduced.

[0027] The container for disposing of used medical devices can further comprise an openable closure element which is designed to close the inlet opening when no collection container is placed in a form-fitting manner on the insertion opening, so that the probability that persons and/or animals can come into contact with potentially contaminated objects emptied into the container can also be reduced.

[0028] In one embodiment, the locking element formed in the collection container is further designed to interact with the openable closure element formed in the container for disposal of used medical devices in such a way that the outlet opening of the collection container is automatically closed again by the first closure element when the collection container is lifted off the insertion opening of the container again.

[0029] The fact that the outlet opening of the collecting container is automatically closed again by the first closure element means that the outlet opening is closed again by the closure element without manual intervention by a user being necessary.

[0030] Thus, the risk of a user coming into contact with potentially contaminated contents after emptying the contents of the collection container into the container can be further reduced.

[0031] The container for disposing of used medical devices can also have a blocking element, the blocking element being designed such that an outside of the first closure element is not contaminated by used medical devices when the collection container is placed in a form-fitting manner on the insertion opening. For example, the blocking plate can be designed such that the first closure element can only open the outlet opening at a maximum angle predetermined by the blocking element. This in turn can prevent an outside, i.e. an outward-facing surface of the collection container with which a user can come into contact during normal use, from coming into contact with potentially contaminated used medical devices stored in the container and germs and/or contamination from being transferred to the outside surface of the first closure element, even if the container is already relatively full or well filled.

[0032] A further embodiment of the invention also provides a method for collecting used medical devices by means of a reusable collection container, the method comprising providing a reusable collection container, the collection container having an inlet opening through which used medical devices can be introduced into the collection container and an outlet opening through which a content of the collection container can be emptied into a container for disposal of used medical devices, the outlet opening being closed by a first closure element and the first closure element being detachably connected to the outlet opening by a locking element, collecting used medical devices in the collection container by introducing used medical devices into the collection container through the insertion opening, and placing the collection container in a form-fitting manner on the inlet opening formed in the container, whereby the outlet opening formed in the collection container is opened by the first closure element and used medical devices collected in the collection container can be emptied into the container.

[0033] Such a method has the advantage that it provides an improved method based on an improved collection container for collecting used medical devices, in particular used metal medical devices in hospitals, doctor's offices or other medical facilities. The fact that the collection container is reusable has the advantage that a new collection container does not have to be purchased every time, for example every time the collection container is full and has to be emptied into the container, which can save costs. Also, no foreign bodies are introduced when recycling the used medical devices. The fact that the locking element can be designed such that the outlet opening is only released by the closure element when the collection container with the outlet opening is placed in a form-fitting manner on an insertion opening formed in the container also has the advantage that the risk of a user coming into contact with the potentially contaminated objects when emptying the contents of the collection container into the container can be significantly reduced.

[0034] The method may further comprise removing the collection container from the insertion opening after all used medical devices introduced into the collection container have fallen into the container for disposal of used medical devices, and then disinfecting the collection container. Thus, the collection container can

The collection container must be disinfected before it can be reused.

[0035] It should be noted that, due to its design, the collection container does not have to be disinfected every time after used medical devices have been collected in it and it is also possible, for example, to disinfect a collection container again at certain times or after a certain period of time has elapsed after the corresponding collection container was last disinfected.

[0036] A further embodiment of the invention also provides a method for recycling used medical devices, the method comprising collecting used medical devices in a container for disposal of used medical devices by using a method described above for collecting used medical devices by means of a reusable collection container, and recycling used medical devices collected in the container for disposal of used medical devices.

[0037] Such a method has the advantage that it provides an improved method for recycling used medical devices, in particular used metal medical devices, based on an improved collection container. The fact that the collection container is reusable has the advantage that a new collection container does not have to be purchased every time, for example every time the collection container is full and has to be emptied into the container, which can save costs. Also, no foreign bodies are introduced when recycling the used medical devices. The fact that the locking element can be designed such that the outlet opening is only released by the closure element when the collection container with the outlet opening is placed in a form-fitting manner on an insertion opening formed in the container also has the advantage that the risk of a user coming into contact with the potentially contaminated objects when emptying the contents of the collection container into the container can be significantly reduced.

[0038] In summary, the present invention provides an improved collection container for collecting used medical devices, in particular used metal medical devices in hospitals, doctor's offices or other medical facilities.

[0039] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0040] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a reusable collection container according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0041] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the recyclable collection container according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0042] Figure 3 shows a further cross-sectional view of the recyclable collection container according to the first embodiment;

[0043] Figure 4 shows a plan view of a system for collecting used medical devices according to embodiments of the invention;

[0044] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a system for collecting used medical devices according to embodiments of the invention;

[0045] Figure 6 shows a flow chart of a method for recycling used medical devices according to embodiments of the invention.

[0046] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a reusable collection container 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0047] It is known to send used medical devices, for example depending on the respective level of contamination, to a final storage facility where they are recycled, but often also directly incinerated. In hospitals, doctor's offices or medical facilities, the used medical devices are often stored in disposable or single-use bags.

collects which are newly acquired each time and which can come as foreign bodies with a recycling process for recycling the used medical devices.

[0048] According to the first embodiment of the invention, a reusable collection container 1 for collecting used medical devices is now specified, wherein the collection container 1 has an insertion opening 2, through which used metal medical devices can be inserted into the collection container 1, and an outlet opening 3, through which a content of the collection container 1 can be disposed of in a container for disposal of used medical devices, wherein the outlet opening 3 is closed via a first closure element 4, wherein the collection container 1 further has a locking element 5 for releasably closing the outlet opening 3 by the first closure element 4.

[0049] The fact that the collection container 1 is reusable has the advantage that a new collection container 1 does not have to be purchased every time, for example every time the collection container 1 is full and has to be emptied into the container for disposal of used medical devices, which can save costs. Also, no foreign bodies are introduced when recycling the used medical devices. The locking element 5 can also be designed such that the outlet opening 3 is only released by the closure element 4 when the collection container 1 with the outlet opening is placed in a form-fitting manner on an insertion opening formed in a corresponding container for disposal of used medical devices, which also has the advantage that the risk of a user coming into contact with the potentially contaminated objects when emptying the contents of the collection container into the container can be significantly reduced. Overall, an improved collection container 1 is thus provided for collecting used medical devices, in particular used metallic medical devices in hospitals, doctor's offices or other medical facilities.

[0050] The medical devices used can in particular be used metal medical devices, for example scissors, needles or wound retractors. Furthermore, the medical devices used can also be any other waste, in particular metal waste, that accrues in hospitals, doctor's offices or other medical facilities.

[0051] According to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, the collecting container 1 has a conical shape and the outlet opening 3 is formed in a base element of the collecting container 1 opposite the insertion opening 2. Furthermore, the collecting container can also have a different shape and/or the outlet opening can also be formed on other side surfaces of the collecting container.

[0052] According to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, the collecting container also has a (filling) volume between 25 | and 45 |.

[0053] The illustrated collecting container 1 is also made of a puncture-resistant and disinfectable material, so that in particular sharp metal parts can be introduced into the collecting container 1 without destroying it.

[0054] The material of the collecting container 1 is preferably stainless steel.

[0055] As Figure 1 shows, the collecting container further comprises a transport device 6 for transporting the collecting container 1.

[0056] According to the first embodiment, the transport device 6 has a handle 7 and a rotating mechanism 8, wherein the rotating mechanism 8 is designed to be able to rotate the handle 7 from a non-use position into a transport position in which the collecting container can be carried by means of the handle, wherein a second closure element 9 is further formed on the rotating mechanism 8, wherein the second closure element 9 is designed such that it closes the insertion opening 3 when the handle 7 is rotated into the transport position.

[0057] The second closure element 9 is in particular a

a casing element 10 connected to a rotation axis of the rotating mechanism 8.

[0058] The rotary movement for transferring the handle 7 from its non-use position to its transport position and vice versa is symbolized in Figure 1 by the arrow provided with reference number 11.

[0059] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the recyclable collection container 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. Components and parts with the same function or construction as in Figure 1 bear the same reference numerals and are not discussed separately.

[0060] Figure 2 shows the handle 7 in its non-use position.

[0061] As can be seen, the lateral surface 10 is in a position in which it does not block the insertion opening 2, so that used medical devices can be inserted into the collecting container 1 via the insertion opening 2.

[0062] Figure 3 shows a further cross-sectional view of the reusable collection container 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. Components and parts with the same function or construction as in Figure 1 or Figure 2 have the same reference numerals and are not discussed separately.

[0063] Figure 3 shows the handle 7 now in its transport position.

[0064] As can be seen, the casing surface 10 is in a position in which it blocks or closes the insertion opening 3, so that the risk that a user can come into contact with the potentially contaminated contents of the collection container 1 when transporting the collection container 1 is reduced.

[0065] Figure 4 shows a plan view of a system 20 for collecting used medical devices according to embodiments of the invention.

[0066] As Figure 4 shows, the system 20 has a reusable collection container 21 for collecting used medical devices in hospitals, doctor's offices or other medical facilities and a container 22 for disposing of used medical devices, wherein the container 22 has an insertion opening 23 onto which the collection container 21 can be placed with its outlet opening or the first closure element 24 for emptying the contents of the collection container 21.

[0067] The container 22 can in turn be made of a puncture-resistant, disinfectable material, for example stainless steel. In addition, the container 22 can also have an additional area for disposing of non-contaminated objects.

[0068] It can be seen that the container 22 has an openable closure element 25 which is designed to close the insertion opening 23 as long as no collection container is placed in a form-fitting manner on the insertion opening 23.

[0069] According to the embodiments of Figure 4, the openable closure element 25 has a handle 26, by means of which the closure element can be moved vertically or horizontally depending on the embodiment, whereby the insertion opening 23 can be released. According to the embodiments of Figure 4, the openable closure element 25 also has a locking mechanism which is designed such that the openable closure element 25 can only be released, i.e. moved or opened, when a collecting container with its first closure element is placed in a form-fitting manner on the insertion opening 23.

[0070] In particular, the system 20 is designed such that the collecting container 21 is placed on receiving rails formed in the container 22, whereby locking lugs formed on the collecting container, which additionally secure the first closure element 24 or the closure of the outlet opening by the first closure element, can be opened, in particular manually. By appropriately moving the openable closure element 25 formed in the container 22, the

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the insertion opening 23 formed in the container 22 and the first closure element 24 of the collecting container 21 are released, so that the first closure element of the collecting container can fold downwards and the contents of the collecting container 21 can be emptied into the container 22, whereby at the same time the risk of a user coming into contact with potentially contaminated contents of the collecting container when emptying the contents of the collecting container 21 into the container can be considerably reduced.

[0071] As soon as the contents of the collecting container 21 have been completely emptied into the container, the openable closure element 25 can be pushed back again, whereby it slides under the first closure element of the collecting container, whereby the latter is raised and whereby the insertion opening 23 is closed and at the same time the first closure element of the collecting container automatically engages again in the locking lugs formed in the collecting container 21 and thus the outlet opening formed in the collecting container 21 is closed again by the first closure element.

[0072] Furthermore, the collecting container can also be placed on guide rails formed on a surface of the container and moved along these into the appropriate position for emptying the contents into the container. The locking lugs formed on the collecting container or other parts of the locking mechanism which secures the connection between the outlet opening and the first closure element can also be designed in such a way that they are released completely automatically when a user places the collecting container 21 with the first closure element on the insertion opening, wherein the locking lugs can be, for example, spring-loaded locking lugs.

[0073] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a system 20 for collecting used medical devices according to embodiments of the invention. Components and parts with the same function or construction as in Figure 4 bear the same reference numerals and are not discussed separately.

[0074] Figure 5 shows the system 20 in a state in which the first closure element 24 of the collection container 21 has been folded away and has exposed the outlet opening 26 of the collection container 21, such that the contents of the collection container can be emptied into the container 22 via the insertion opening 23, wherein only the lid of the container 22 is shown in Figure 5, and wherein the risk of a user coming into contact with potentially contaminated contents of the collection container 21 when emptying the contents of the collection container 21 into the container can be significantly reduced.

[0075] According to the embodiments of Figure 5, the system 20 also has a blocking element 27, for example a blocking plate, wherein the blocking element 27 is designed such that an outside of the first closure element 24 is not contaminated by used medical devices when the collection container 21 is placed in a form-fitting manner on the insertion opening 23. In particular, the blocking element 27 can be designed such that the first closure element 24 can only be opened by a certain angle, so that the risk that an outside of the first closure element can come into contact with contaminated used medical devices already disposed of in the container and can thereby become contaminated itself can be reduced.

[0076] Figure 6 shows a flow chart of a method 30 for recycling used medical devices according to embodiments of the invention.

[0077] According to the embodiments of Figure 6, the method 30 comprises a step 31 of providing a reusable collection container, wherein the collection container has an inlet opening through which used metal medical devices can be introduced into the collection container, and an outlet opening through which a content of the collection container can be emptied into a container for disposal of used medical devices, wherein the outlet opening is closed via a first closure element, and wherein the first closure element is detachably connected to the outlet opening via a locking element, a step 32 of collecting used medical devices

in the collection container by inserting used medical devices into the collection container through the insertion opening, and a step 33 of positively placing the collection container on an inlet opening formed in a container, whereby the outlet opening formed in the collection container is released by the first closure element and used medical devices collected in the collection container can fall into the container.

[0078] According to the embodiments of Figure 6, the method further comprises a step 34 of recycling used medical devices collected in the container.

[0079] In particular, step 34 may comprise collection of the container by a company specialising in recycling used medical devices and recycling of the contents of the container by this company.

[0080] The recycling is intended to recover the components of the stainless steel, such as chromium, nickel, manganese, particularly if the collection container is made of stainless steel, so that they can subsequently be used to produce new stainless steel products.

Claims (10)

Patent claims 1. Reusable collection container for collecting used medical devices, wherein the collection container (1) has an insertion opening (2) through which used metal medical devices can be inserted into the collection container (1), and an outlet opening (3) through which a content of the collection container (1) can be emptied into a container for disposal of used medical devices, wherein the outlet opening (3) is closed by a first closure element (4), and wherein the collection container (1) further has a locking element (5) for releasably closing the outlet opening (3) by the first closure element (4), wherein the collection container (1) further has a transport device (6) for transporting the collection container (1), and wherein the transport device (6) has a handle (7) and a rotating mechanism (8), wherein the rotating mechanism (8) is designed to move the handle (7) from a non-use position into a transport position in which the collection container (1) can be carried by means of the handle (7), to be able to rotate, wherein a second closure element (9) is further arranged on the rotation mechanism (8), wherein the second closure element (9) is designed such that it closes the insertion opening (2) after the handle (7) has been rotated into the transport position. 2, Reusable collection container according to claim 1, wherein the collection container (1) is made of a puncture-resistant, disinfectable material. 3. Reusable collection container according to claim 2, wherein the collection container (1) is made of stainless steel. 4. System for collecting used medical devices, wherein the system (20) comprises a reusable collection container (1,21) for collecting used medical devices, wherein the collection container (1,21) has an insertion opening (2) through which used metal medical devices can be inserted into the collection container (1,21), and an outlet opening (3,26) through which a content of the collection container (1,21) can be emptied into a container (22) for disposal of used medical devices, wherein the outlet opening (3,26) is closed by a first closure element (4,24), and wherein the collection container (1,21) further comprises a locking element (5) for releasably closing the outlet opening (3,26) by the first closure element (4,24), wherein the system (20) further comprises a container (22) for disposal of used medical devices, wherein the container (22) has an insertion opening (23), onto which an outlet opening (26) of the collecting container (21) can be placed, and wherein the locking element (5) is designed such that the outlet opening (3,26) is only released by the closure element (4,24) when the collecting container (21) with the outlet opening (26) is placed in a form-fitting manner onto the insertion opening (23) formed in the container (22). 5. System according to claim 4, wherein the container further comprises an openable closure element (25) which is designed to close the insertion opening (23) when no collecting container (1,21) is placed in a form-fitting manner on the insertion opening (23). 6. System according to claim 5, wherein the first closure element (4,24) formed on the collecting container (1,21) is further designed to cooperate with the openable closure element (25) formed in the container (22) such that the outlet opening (3,26) of the collecting container (1,21) is automatically closed again by the first closure element (4,24) when the collecting container (1,21) is lifted off the insertion opening (23) of the container (22) again. 7. System according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the container (22) further comprises a blocking element (27), wherein the blocking element (27) is designed such that an outer side of the first closure element (4,24) is not contaminated by used medical devices when the collecting container (1,21) is placed in a form-fitting manner on the insertion opening (23) of the container (22). 8. A method for collecting used medical devices using a recyclable collection container, the method (30) comprising the following steps: - Providing a reusable collection container, wherein the collection container has an inlet opening through which used medical devices can be introduced into the collection container, and an outlet opening through which a content of the collection container can be emptied into a container for disposal of used medical devices, wherein the outlet opening is closed via a first closure element, and wherein the first closure element is detachably connected to the outlet opening via a locking element (31); - collecting used medical devices in the collection container by inserting used medical devices into the collection container through the insertion opening (32); and - Form-fitting placement of the collection container onto an insertion opening formed in a container for the disposal of used medical devices, whereby the outlet opening formed in the collection container is released by the first closure element and used medical devices collected in the collection container can be emptied into the container (33). 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises the following steps: - removing the collection container from the opening after all used medical devices placed in the collection container have been emptied into the container; and - Subsequent disinfection of the collection container. 10. A method for recycling used medical devices, the method comprising the following steps: - collecting used medical devices in a container by using a method (30) for collecting used medical devices by means of a reusable collection container according to claim 8 or 9; and - Recycling of used medical devices collected in the container for disposal of used medical devices (34). 6 sheets of drawings