CA2222542A1 - Portable device for destroying needles - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable electric arc needle destroying device is disclosed. The portable device uses a battery pack (12) and a capacitor (142) or an energy storage circuit (20) to increase current. The device has a means (102) to adjust the gap between the electrodes (44, 46). The device also includes a fan (32) and a filter (82) infused with disinfectant.

Description

CA 02222~42 1997-11-27 W 096138255 PCTrUS96/07914 PORTABLE DEVICE FOR DESTROYING NEEDLES

This invention relates to improved apparatus for safely and efficiently destroying used hypodermic needles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Used hypodermic needles often contain residues of potentially dangerous materials, such as blood carrying ~IV, hepatitis B or other infectious ~lice~eç~. Because the sharp tips ofthe needles may prick the skin of persons a~ pLillg to dispose of them, many devices are available for destroying the needles. Some of such devices utilize incineration aw~dllls that generate electric culle1lL~ that destroy the needle, crushing ~a~dlLIs thatgrinds and crushes the needle and the syringe housing, or apparatus using a combination of both incineration and crushing.
For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,076,178 to Kohl, et al.
discloses a needle incineration device. Insertion of the needle to be destroyed pushes a carriage unit that couples to an electrical power source for sending a high voltage electric current through the carriage unit and into the needle. However, "carriage movement is limited to insure that an operator does not attempt to incinerate the entire length of an extraordinarily long needle in a single operation and thereby exceed power capacity limits." Like the device disclosed by Kohl, et al., other devices such as the one described - in U.S. Patent No. 4,628,169 to Ch'ing-L'ung exist that require the user carefully to feed the needle into the a~pal~us to ensure destruction of the needle. Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 4,877,934 to Spinello disclose a device that is "self-powered" through an optional rechargeable battery and that also requires the user to feed progressively shorter lengths of a needle into the device in order for incinerating ~;ull~,nl~ to destroy the needle. Thus, using the Spinello or Ch'ing-L'ung devices, it is likely that a hurried or careless user could destroy only part of the needle, leaving a dangerous "stub."

CA 02222~42 1997-11-27 Such careful feeding is further complicated by the fact that needles come in a variety of sizes. If too large a needle is being destroyed~
the destruction device may not develop suff1cient current to destroy the needle completely or destruction may take a long time. Similarly, if too small a needle is being destroyed, the electrodes of an incinerator-type destruction device may be too far apart to allow the needle to close the circuitbet~veen the electrodes. Furthermore, constant use of the device may wear down the electrodes, further se~ g them, or may leave the electrodes coated with the "slag" created during destruction of a needle. Thus, current will either not flow or flow only intermittently from the electrodes into the needle, thereby leaving all or parts of the needle intact.
Moreover, even if the needle is adequately destroyed~ there may be some residue of material from the needle or the syringe left inside the destruction device. Thus, U.S. Patent No. 4,961,541 to Hashimoto indicates that "a disinfectant may be sprayed onto the syringe during the collapsing operation." However, spraying each syringe is time consuming and easily forgotten in the press of other duties. Also, there is no provision for elimin~tin~ airborne emissions during destruction of the needle. Without proper precautions and/or a sufficiently fast destruction process, airborne pathogens may leave the hollow needle before, during or after the destruction process.
Additionally, for each of the above-described devices, the user appalelltly must carry the needle to the device for destruction. This activity increases the risk that medical personnel or others inadvertently may prick themselves with a needle before it is destroyed. U.S. Patent No. 5,046,669 to Wallace, et al. recognizes that collecting used hypodermic needles for destruction entails significant problems. Wallace, et al. thus provides a collection unit and a centrally located processing unit that both breaks the needle into fragments and melts the plastic syringe housing.

CA 02222~42 1997-11-27 W O 96/38255 PC~rrUS96/07914 It would also, however, be desirable to have a cornpact, portable device that can, for in.ct~nce, be moved to locations where blood is being taken or vaccinations given, remote from health care facilities or that can be transported within a larger medical facility by a nurse or orderly m~king rounds. Other than the "self-powered" Spinello device that only increment~lly destroys needles and does not appear to foreclose airborne emissions, no truly portable, compact and inexpensive destruction devices are available, however. Tn~te~l, many of the destruction devices are outfitted with numerous "bells and whistles," such as bulky transformers for coupling the device to a main power supply or infrared sensors for activating the device, that add complexity and cost. Such complexity is entirely unnecessary for many users, who simply desire to completely destroy their needles before disposal. Exemplary of such users are diabetics and dentists, both of which groups make use of very small and fine needles. While these persons desire to dispose of used needles properly, the high cost of the overly complex destruction devices dissuades such proper disposal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the above problems by providing a portable device that can be used in a variety of locations~ may have a self-contained power source, fully destroys needles of various lengths and gauges in one step, and sterilizes and/or prevents escape of pathogens and potential cont~minslntC Additionally, one embodiment of the present invention provides a simple and inexpensive needle destruction device that is capable of destroying instantly and completely small needles such as those used by dentists or diabetics.
Briefly, the present invention is a portable needle destroying device provided with a power supply such as a replaceable or rechargeable battery, an adjustable dial that is used to set the gap between two electrodes J 30 in order to allow needles of varying gauge to be used with the device, and a CA 02222~42 1997-ll-27 W 096/38255 PCTrUS96/07914 filter infused with disinfectant that prevents particulate or airborne pathogensfrom escaping from the device. The battery may be rechargeable. Instead~
however, of connecting directly to one of the electrodes, the battery may couple to an energy storing device such as an inductor, capacitor or thyristor S circuit. The storage device is charged by the battery and holds a charge for release when a needle is inserted and creates a short circuit across the gap between the electrodes. The released charge, or arc, is powerful enough to destroy small needles completely without requiring the user to insert successively smaller lengths of the needle into the device in order to ensure 10 the needle's destruction. Alternatively, even for large needles, the releasedcharge significantly speeds the destruction of the needle and the battery may also supply power to the electrodes so that complete destruction of larger needles is quickly completed following initial insertion and release of the stored charge.
The device accommodates needles of all lengths and gauges by providing a means for adjusting the gap between the electrodes. The adjusting means is controlled by a dial that the user turns to move an adjustable electrode. Turning the dial in one direction decreases the bias of a spring to allow the adjustable electrode to move away from a second 20 electrode and thereby more efficiently accept a larger needle. Turning the dial in the other direction increases the spring bias and forces the adjustable and second electrodes closer together to accept a smaller needle. Absent such adjustment it is exceetlingly difficult for the user completely to destroy all of the needle. If the gap were too large for a small needle, likely the user25 would be forced to rock the needle back and forth to ensure complete contact between the needle and electrodes. Such rocking possibly would be insufficient and leave a dangerous, sharp "nub" of needle. Alternatively, if the gap were too small, use of larger needles would more quickly wear down the electrodes, ultimately possibly causing electrode failure or at least 30 leading to replacement of the electrode sooner than otherwise necessary.

CA 02222~42 1997-ll-27 ~i W O~f'38~5 PCT~US96/07914 In one embodiment, the power supply may couple to a motor that optionally rotates the second electrode in order to remove the slag produced during destruction of the needle, as is generally shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 5,138,124 to Kirk, et al., which is hereby 5 incorporated in its entirety by this reference. When the power supply is a battery, a direct current ("dc") motor should be used. Because the motor may be ~ctll~tl~d when the user slides a needle into the device and thereby electrically connects the adjustable and second electrodes and causes release of the stored charge, a high starting torque motor (like a dc motor) may be 10 used in order to begin immediately rotating the second electrode. Immediate rotation ensures that the "slag" or other residue produced by the destruction of the needle is thrown into a disposable cartridge by the rotation o:f the second electrode rather than attaching to, and decreasing the effectiveness of, the electrodes.
In an alternative embodiment, the second electrode is a flat plate with at least one slanted edge. A moving or vibrating means couples to - the plate for reciprocating the plate back and forth, thus causing the slag toflow down the sides of the plate and effectively cleansing the electrode. The movement or vibration need not result in great displacement of the electrode.
20 although vibrating the electrode at a high frequency, and beveling one edge of the electrode, may assist in dislodging subst~ntiz~lly all of the slag. One such vibrating means may be a buzzer circuit, which utilizes a coil to produce a magnetic field that pulls a metallic strip toward the coil. When the strip is moved away from its resting plate, a short is created between the coil 25 and its power supply, resulting in the strip returning to its resting place, at which point the circuit is energized and the strip is again pulled from its resting place. (The frequency of the buzzer circuit can be adjusted by ch~ngin~ the amount of field produced by the coil or the spring characteristics of the strip). By coupling one end of the strip to an electrode 30 the electrode will reciprocate back and forth as the strip is moved back and CA 02222~42 1997-11-27 W 096/38255 PCTrUS96/07914 forth. Another moving means may simply be a motor whose shaft rotates and eccentric weight, which causes the motor to vibrate. Mechanically coupling the motor to the electrode translates the vibration into the electrode.
While the motor may be used to move the electrode, its shaft may also couple to a fan that pulls smoke, dust or particle-laden air through a case holding the battery, motor, electrodes and a disposable cartridge. The air is channelled through the disposable cartridge, which is sealed via a gasket to the side of the case in order to prevent smoke, dust or particles fromentering the case that surrounds the motor. The air travels through a filter that is impregnated with a disinfectant and loaded into a removable tray to allow replacement of the filter or replenishment of the disinfectant. The disinfectant both cleanses cont~min~tes from the air and deodorizes the emissions caused by vaporization of the residues left in the needle. A timer on a control board that couples to the motor ensures the motor operates for a predetermined interval so that the fan will pull sufficient air into the cartridge to prevent any of the vapors and fumes generated from the destruction of the needle from escaping unfiltered and unfreshened via the impregnated filter.
In another embodiment, the device comprises a case that encloses a battery that may be coupled to an energy storing circuit, a first electrode and a second electrode. Either of the first or the second electrodes may be provided with the adjusting means adjustor that allows the user to adjust the gap between the first and second electrodes in order to size the gaps for accepting needles of different sizes. The energy storing device may comprise a capacitor, inductor or a thyristor circuit that may couple to the battery, store a charge, and instantly release the stored charge when a needle is inserted through a hole in the case and contacts both electrodes. If the needle is small enough, the released charge normally destroys the entire metallic tip of the needle virtually instantaneously. This embodiment is thus particularly useful for destroying "double-ended" needles that have a first CA 02222~42 1997-11-27 W 09613825S PCTrUS96/07914 needle portion with a sharpened tip extencling outside the syringe body and a second needle portion that extends through a hub and into the body of the syringe. Normally, because the second portion of the needle is surrounded by the syringe, destruction of the needle requires an inconvenient, two-step S process, whereby the user first destroys the sharpened, first portion of the needle, then removes the hub and destroys the second portion of the needle that extends into the syringe body. Utilizing the energy storing device, however, allows the present invention to generate a sufficiently powerful arc and discharge that the entire length of the needle (e.g., both the first and 10 second portions) is destroyed upon insertion of the needle into the h,ole for contacting the two electrodes.
A recharge pack can be provided for use with the battery.
LEDs may be used to indicate whether the battery needs a recharge or when the capacitor will be recharged and ready to destroy another needle.
In short, the present invention provides a device for safely and efficiently destroying completely a hypodermic needle of virtually any size and preventing the escape of vapor, dust, particles or air-borné emissions upon destruction of the used needle. Apparatus for removing slag from the electrodes is provided, thereby maximi7ing the performance of the 20 electrodes. A portable, inexpensive version of the invention can be used to destroy completely small needles, including double-ended needles.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a portable device for destroying needles.
It is another object of the present invention to couple a power 25 supply to an energy storage device that provides a discharge sufficiently powerful to at least partially destroy a used needle.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dial coupled to a gap adjustor for properly sizing the gap between electrodes that convey electric currents to the needle to be destroyed.

CA 02222542 1997-ll-27 W 096138255 PCTrUS96/07914 It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a filter impregnated with disinfectant for thoroughly cleansing vapors and other cont~min~tes released upon destruction of a used needle.
Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will S become ~ llt with reference to the rem~in~1er of this docurnent.

CA 02222~42 1997-11-27 W O 96/38255 PCTrUS96/07914 BR~EF DESCR~PTIO N OF THE DR~ WIN GS
FIG. 1 is a schem~ic diagram of the components of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention provided with an adjustable and a rotating electrode with the adjustable electrode set for accepting a small needle.
FIG. 2B is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B
with the adjustable electrode set for accepting a large needle.
FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the present invention provided with an adjustable electrode and a vibrating electrode plate.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the components of a port~ble and inexpensive embodiment of the present invention provided witih a storage circuit for supplying a large, almost instantaneous discharge to destroy small needles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
FIG. 1 shows in a schematic block diagram one embodiment of the portable needle destruction device 10 of the present invention. A case 11 encloses a power supply such as a battery 12 that couples to a control board 14 that includes a timer 15. A recharging outlet 16 may be provided to allow the device 10 to be plugged into a recharging device in order to replenish the battery 12. Power lines 18 lead from the control board 14 to a charge or energy storage circuit 20 and then to a motor 22. Storage circuit 20 typically consists of a capacitor, although other devices such as an inductor or a thyristor circuit may also be used. LEDs 13 may also be provided on the outside of the case to indicate to the user whether the battery 12 needs to be recharged or whether the storage circuit 20 has recharged and the device 10 is thus ready to accept and destroy another needle.
Motor 22 drives a motor shaft 24 that rotates a first pulley wheel 26 and a paddle-wheel fan 32 that has a number of slats 34. An o-ring CA 02222~42 1997-11-27 W 096/38255 PCT~US96107914 belt 30 couples the first pulley wheel 26 to a second pulley wheel 28, which in turn drives an electrode shaft 40. Forming the first and second pulley wheels 26 and 28 from a plastics material, such as phenolic, and using an o-ring belt 30 ensures that if a user jams a needle 70 into the device 10, the pulley wheels 26 and 28 will stop while the motor 22 overload initiates.
At the end of the electrode shaft 40 is a rotating electrode 44.
Power is transferred to the rotating electrode 44 via brush 42 that couple the power lines 18 to the conductive electrode shaft 40. Although the brush 42 could abut the end of the electrode shaft 40, placing the brush 42 on the side of the electrode shaft 40 ensures better power transfer. Alternatively, the brush 42 could couple directly to the rotating electrode 44, with a channel separating the brush 42 from the end of the rotating electrode 44 to prevent needle residue from interfering with the power transfer accomplished by the brush 42.
An adjustable electrode 46 is separated from the rotating electrode 44 by a gap 52, as can perhaps best be seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B. A
gap adjusting means 54 allows the user to turn a dial 56 and adjust the gap 52 between the rotating electrode 44 and the adjustable electrode 46, which is biased by a spring 60 to bear against a fulcrum 62. A spring-loaded set screw 64 is used to set the initial size of the gap 52. Rotating the dial 56 causes it to go up or down a threaded screw 58; the end 57 of the dial 56 thus is moved toward or away from the adjustable electrode 46. Because the spring 60 biases the other end of the adjustable electrode 46 upwards, moving the dial 56 moves the end 57 up or down, causing the adjustable electrode 46 to pivot toward nor away from the rotating electrode 44.
Alternatively, if the geometry of the case 11 does not allow placement of the dial 56 directly over the adjustable electrode 46, a second length of material could connect between the end 57 of the dial 56 and the adjustable electrode 46 in order to transfer the force generated by turning the dial 56 into motion of the adjustable electrode 46.

CA 02222~42 1997-11-27 W O 96/38255 PClr/US96/07911 Adjustable electrode 46 defines a bevel 48 that ends in a tip 50 for concentrating eleckic potential and delivering the current into a metallic needle tip 71 once the needle tip 71 is inserted through an opening 68 in the case 11 and contacts both the adjustable and rotating electrodes 46 S and 44. A guide 74 is provided that may be generally funnel shaped and spring-loaded with a spring wrapped around flexible portions that open farther depending on the size of the needle 70 being inserted into the opening 68. Guide 74 ensures that the needle tip 71 is brought directly to the gap 52 for destruction. Thus, the guide 74 elimin~tes the need to "rock" back and 10 forth the needle tip 71 do in order to achieve contact between the needle tip 71 and the electrodes. Guide 74 also hides sparks created during the destruction process from the user and decreases the possibility that waste created during destruction will be thrown through the opening 68 and possibly onto the user's hands.
Contact ofthe needle tip 71 with the electrodes essentially closes an open circuit consisting of the electrodes in parallel with the storagecircuit 20 and the battery 12. Closing the circuit causes the storage circuit 20immediately to discharge and create an arc across the electrodes that destroys the needle tip 71. About six (6) volts from the battery 12 has been found 20 sufficient to deskoy most needles 70, particularly since the storage circuit 20 initially greatly multiplies the effective current transfer through the electrodes into the needle 70.
Delivery of current into the needle tip 71, which has a high electrical resistance, heats and melts the needle tip 71 into the slag 72.
25 Rotation of the rotating electrode 44 throws the slag 72 down into a cartridge 80 and also "pulls" the needle tip 71 further into the device 10. Use of a shield, located inside the case 11, to surround the rotating and adjuslable electrodes 44, 46 may further ensure that the slag 72 is directed down into the cartridge 80 and does not escape back through the opening 68. Although 30 much of the residue left in the needle tip 71 after use will be destroyed by the CA 02222~42 1997-11-27 W 096/38255 PCTrUS96/07914 current, some smoke. vapor or dust will be generated. Guide 74 and a shield may prevent much of this material from escaping back out of the opening 68;
however, absent operation of the fan 32 much of this material will escape.
Fan 32 pulls air through the opening 68 and into the cartridge 80. The air is laden with the emissions from the destruction of the needle tip 71 and is channeled into a filter 82, which is impregn~te~l with a strong disinfectant both to sterilize any pathogens that may have been in the needle tip 71 and not destroyed, and to freshen the air. Filter 82 may be formed of multiple membranes that better trap particles of varying sizes. In order to allow replenishment of the disinfectant or replacement of the filter 82, it is held in a removable tray that can easily be inserted in and removed from the case 11. Alternatively, a door or sliding access hatch could also be used to gain access to the tray holding the filter 82. After passing through the filter 82, the now deodorized air exits the case 11 through exhaust vents 84. A
gasket 86 prevents unfiltered air from passing through the cartridge since allowing unfiltered air through not only results in odorous emissions from the case 11 but also may result in the motor 22 being clogged by the particles found in the unfiltered air.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention provided with a case 100 enclosing another adjusting means 102 for adjusting the distance between a movable electrode 110 and a conductive plate 120. Case 100 also surrounds and contains a power supply, which may - be either a battery 12 or a transformer that may couple to a main power supply via a conventional plug and cord, a storage circuit 20 and a motor 130. (Optionally, the filtration system, comprising a fan and a filtered cartridge may also be placed within the case 100).
Movement or vibration of the vibrating plate 120 ensures that slag 72 does not build up upon the surfaces of the vibrating plate 120 that acts as an electrode for conducting current to a needle tip inserted through a hole 101 in the case 100.for destruction. Vibration can be accomplished by ~ CA 02222542 1997-11-27 U~ D~G 199~
mounting the high rpm motor 130 to the vibrating plate 120. Placing an eccentric weight 132 on the motor shaft causes the motor to vibrate and the vibration is mechanically transmitted to the vibrating plate 120. Vibr~tion also may be accomplished by spring-loading vibrating plate 120, attaching a 5 cam to a rotating shaft driven by the motor 130 and abutting a cam against one end of the plate 120. Rotation of the cam will translate into mecharlical vibration of the spring-loaded vibrating plate 120.
Alte.rn~tively, vibrating plate 120 could be con~tr~ine(l in a channel or track and have one end coupled to a vibrating means that will 10 reciprocate the vibrating plate 120 back and forth within the track in o:rder to remove slag that may otherwise attach to the vibrating plate 120. One such reciprocating means may be a bll7.7er circuit, although any means for rnoving the vibra~ing plate 120 may also be used. Additionally, a-cleaning mech~ni~m may be provided for allowing the user to clean the vibrating plate - 15 120 off. The cleaning m~ch~ni~m may be a blade located adjacent t~ the-track and capable of being moved, ylere~dbly by the us~r, close to the track in order to "wipe" the vibrating plate 120 free of slag or other residue after ~ destruction of one or more needle(s). ~ ;vely, the clea~ng mech~nism may simply be an adjustable block, o~e surface of which IS a cleaning surface that may be brought into contact with the vibrating plate 120 and either be m~ml~lly moved across the surface of the vibrating plate 120 or held against its surface during vibration or movem~l,l of the vibrating plate 120. - -'- . A set screw 105 can be used to set the initial gap between the movable electrode 110 and the vibrating plate 120, which may be shaped in the form of a triangle with one of the legs abutted against and loosely attached to the case 100. The gap 50 can be wi:dened or l~ w~;d by - -manipulati~ e adjusting means 102 to reorient the movable electrode 110 ~ from a position suitable for destroying a small gauge needle (whose diameter is Dsg), indicated by Psg, to a position suited for destroying a large ga.uge .

AMENDE0 SI~EEl ~ CA 02222542 1997-11-27 PCT/US96/07gl~

needle (whose diameter is Dlg), indicated by position Plg. Adjusting means ~ 102 may operate by having a user turn a dial 103 to select a needle size.
Turning the dial 103, which may be loaded with spring 104, forces the end of a set screw 105 down against the back of the movable electrode 110. The S force apphed by the set screw lOS overcomes the bias spring 106, c~ ing the movable electrode 110 to pivot about pivot point 108.
The initial position of the movable electrode 110 is partially ~let~.rmined by the amount of vertical displacement vibration causes in. plate 120. In order to ensure that the plate 120 does not inad~elLelllly touch~ -movable electrode 110 during vibration, it may be n~cçss~ry to vibrate the plate orlly along its horizontal àxis. A lead may be secured to the vibrating plate 120 and the movable electrode l lO for conveying current to the electrode 110 and plate 120. Insertion of a needle into the hole 101 causes - destruetion of the needle tip. ~es-llting slag 72 or other debris.is shaken ~ 15 firom the plate 120 via vibration and f~lls into the cartridge 8Q that may be .
provided with the disillfe~ impregn~te~l filter 82. - . =--~ ~ An additional embodiment is shown in ~I(i. 4. -.This. simple, portable device 140 is provided with a batte~y 12, coupied to a c~p~citQr 142 - . and power lines 18 that lead to first and sec.ond electrodes 144, 146. Note that the first and second electrodes 144, 146 -may b~ fixed QF:-~e~.ond electrode 146 may be coupled to a slag removing means.l48 that, possibly through operation of the motor 150 on comm~n-l of t .he control. board 14, moves the second electrode 146 to cause slag to fall off of the second electrode and into the cartridge 80. However, the slag removing means 148 is ~otally optional for this embodiment since it is ~lecign~cl for very small needles that the capacitor 142 generally will be alone sufficient substa~tially to destroy.
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining and describing several embo-liment~ of the present invention.
Modifications and adaptations to these embo~liment~ will be a~a~ ll to AMENl~D SH~

W 096/38255 PCTrUS96/07914 those of ol-lhlal y skill in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention and the following claims.

Claims (18)

What is claimed is:

1. Portable apparatus for destroying used hypodermic needles of varying sizes, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a case, defining an opening into which a needle may be inserted, the case surrounding a rechargeable battery coupled to a first and a second electrode, with the first electrode separated from the second electrode by a gap located substantially adjacent the opening;
(b) a capacitor coupled to the power supply and the first and second electrodes;
(c) means for adjusting the gap between the first and second electrodes in order to accommodate needles of varying sizes so that, upon insertion of a needle into the opening, the needle electrically contacts the first and second electrodes, whereupon the capacitor discharges an electric current that converts at least a portion of the needle into slag; and (d) a filter, infused with disinfectant and located within the case, for deodorizing vapors released on destruction of the needle.

2. Portable apparatus for destroying used hypodermic needles of varying sizes, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a case, defining an opening into which a needle may be inserted, the case surrounding a power supply coupled to a first and a second electrode, with the first electrode separated from the second electrode by a gap located substantially adjacent the opening;
(b) a charge storing circuit coupled to the power supply and the first and second electrodes;

(c) means for adjusting the gap between the first and second electrodes in order to accommodate needles of varying sizes so that, upon insertion of a needle into the opening, the needle electrically contacts the first and second electrodes, whereupon the charge storing circuit discharges an electric current that converts at least a portion of the needle into slag and in which the first electrode is coupled to and moved by the adjusting means and the second electrode is a plate;
(d) a filter, infused with disinfectant and located within the case, for deodorizing vapors released on destruction of the needle; and (e) means for moving the plate in order to remove a substantial portion of the slag.

3. Apparatus for destroying used hypodermic needles, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a case defining a first opening into which a needle may be inserted and a second opening for accepting a cartridge;
(b) a filter, removably inserted into the cartridge, infused with disinfectant;
(c) a battery for supplying power to a motor coupled to a fan and a first electrode; and (d) a capacitor comprising a first and second terminal with:
i) the first terminal coupled to the battery; and ii) the second terminal coupled to a second electrode that is sufficiently close to the first electrode that insertion of a needle into the first opening causes the capacitor to discharge current through the movable and second electrodes into the needle.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising means for moving the first electrode in relation to the second electrode in order to more efficiently discharge current into the needle.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the second electrode comprises a substantially flat, beveled surface and is coupled to a means for vibrating the second electrode.

6. Portable apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising an aperture within the case for removably accepting the filter.

7. Apparatus comprising:
(a) a case. defining a hole through which a used hypodermic needle is inserted in order to destroy the needle;
(b) a power supply coupled to a charge storage circuit;
(c) a first electrode and a second electrode, each connected to the charge storage circuit, positioned substantially adjacent to the hole and located substantially close to one another to define a gap for accepting a selected needle;
(d) means, coupled to the first electrode, for moving the first electrode closer to the second electrode in order to adjust the gap to accept the selected needle, whereby insertion of the needle into the hole causes the charge storage circuit to release its charge through the first and second electrodes and into the selected needle to thereby destroy at least a portion of the needle; and (e) means, coupled to the second electrode, for moving the second electrode to clean from the second electrode a substantial portion of any residue produced from the at least partial destruction of the needle.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising an aperture within the case for removably accepting a filter impregnated with disinfectant and deodorizer.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising means for initially adjusting the gap between the first and second electrodes.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising means for controlling the operation of the moving means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a fan, powered by a motor coupled to the power supply, for pulling air through the opening in the case, into the filter and out of an exhaust.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising a timer for operating the motor for a predetermined period in order to ensure that the air surrounding the opening has been pulled into the case and filtered.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the power supply comprises a rechargeable battery.

14. Portable apparatus for destroying used hypodermic needles of varying sizes, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a case, defining a hole through which a used hypodermic needle is inserted in order to destroy the needle;
(b) a rechargeable battery coupled to a capacitor;
(c) an adjustable electrode and a movable electrode, each connected to the capacitor, positioned substantially adjacent to the hole and located substantially close to one another to define a gap for accepting a selected needle;
(d) means, coupled to the adjustable electrode, for moving the adjustable electrode closer to the movable electrode in order to adjust the gap to accept the selected needle, whereby insertion of the needle into the hole causes the capacitor to release its charge through the movable and adjustable electrodes and into the selected needle to thereby destroy at least a portion of the needle;
(e) means, coupled to the movable electrode, for reciprocating the movable electrode to remove a substantial portion of residue produced from the at least partial destruction of the needle;
(f) a filter, removably inserted into the case, infused with disinfectant; and (g) a motor coupled to the battery and a means for circulating air surrounding the case into the filter.

15. Portable apparatus according to claim 2 in which the first electrode is coupled to and moved by the adjusting means and the second electrode is a plate and further comprising means for moving the plate in order to remove a substantial portion of the slag.

16. Portable apparatus according to claim 2 in which the first electrode is coupled to and moved by the adjusting means and in which the second electrode comprises a substantially flat, beveled surface and is coupled to a means for vibrating the second electrode.

17. Portable apparatus according to claim 6 in which the power supply comprises a rechargeable battery and the charge storing circuit comprises a capacitor.

18. Portable apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a fan, powered by a motor coupled to the power supply, for pulling air through the opening in the case, into the filter and out of an exhaust.