FR2646609A1 - Device for the disconnection and leakproof storage of used medical needles, the device being provided with an automatic return chamber and operated with one hand - Google Patents

Abstract

Device which is preferably fixed, or can be portable, for the disconnection and storage of used medical, dental and veterinary needles, consisting of: - a receiving box 1 provided with an access opening 2 for the hypodermic needles or the like; - a flat movable partition 4 having an opening 5 providing access for needles; - a chamber 7 formed by the junction of the partitions of the box 1 (partition 9) and the partition 10 fixed on the movable partition 4 and the walls of the box 1. By means of the addition of the automatic-closure chamber, the device makes it possible to seal the box in a leakproof manner without the user having to grip the latter with both hands. The user can disconnect the needle from the syringe and open and close the chamber 7 using only one hand to hold the used syringe.

Description

 The object of this invention relates to a box for recovering used needles or equivalent in order to destroy them secondarily and to ensure their storage or transport without risk of contamination by .piqure.

 Current systems offer either a fixed open receptacle box that is not waterproof and allows anyone to be able to collect needles (ex: PCT X 082/00412), or a waterproof box (ex w 8708901) but necessarily requiring the use of both hands. of the manipulator in order to ensure its operation, that is to say the opening of the access hole of the needle in the receptacle box. This box has a major avartage by its sealing but a significant drawback by the risk of pricking of the hand handling the box, the latter always remaining near the needle.

 The present invention consists in eliminating the latter drawback by a system of needle locks leaving the needle insertion orifice in the box always open and thus avoiding the obligation to handle the box with a second hand. (the box being fixed to a piece of furniture).

The device according to the invention, for dismantling and storing all medical, dental, veterinary or equivalent needles with a view to their destruction is constituted in FIG. 1 (lateral section passing through the plane 16) and in FIG. 2 (external view of the case) a) A receptacle box 1 provided with an access port 2 for
the needles.

b) Inside the receptacle box 1 a flat partition
mobile 4 moving in a plane parallel to ace 6
of the box having the access port 5 of the needle.

An Unsas 7 formed on the one hand by a partition 9 integral with
the receptacle box, of another partition 10 integral with
the movable partition 4. The upper part of the airlock is
formed by the walls of the receptacle box located
above partitions 9 and 10.

d) A mobile partition control member, this member
of order being optional and not essential to
operation of the device.

- The receptacle boi-tier 1 consists of a polygonal circular box containing inside the device necessary for the operation of the airlock. The needle access orifice 2 may further consist of an external frustoconical piece serving as a guide (funnel) for the introduction of the used needle and of positioning stop for the end of the syringe.

- The mobile screen 4 is constituted by a plate comprising an orifice 5 of circular, square, semi-circular, polygonal elliptical geometric shape. The circular shape is pr # vilégié.du fact of the current shape of the needle bases (base of the needle). This orifice 5 is of a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the upper part 21 (FIG. 6) of the access orifice 2 of the needle of the receptacle box l and greater than the diameter of the base of the affected needle. The dimensions of the orifice 5 must allow total passage of the needle concerned (base included) in the receptacle case.

The two orifices 2 and 5 are in axial concordance in all the positions of the movable partition.

The movable screen and provided with an automatic return means in its rest position, constituted by a compression spring, one end of which is fixed to the movable partition 4 (lower part) and the other end # 'a the bottom wall at the bottom of the receptacle box l.

The mobile screen 4 is guided during its mobilization by slides 14 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) or rails integral with the case 1.

The movable plane screen 4, whatever its position, never completely closes, the orifice 2 of the case 1.

- The airlock 17f is made up of different partitions
Sr
A partition 9 fixed on the face 20 of the case, the wall
20 being perpendicular to the wall 6 of the pre box
feeling the access hole 2.

A partition 10 fixed on the movable partition 4 perpen
perpendicular to the latter and therefore also perpendicular
space on the wall 6 of the housing 1.

The bottom of the airlock 7 consists of: - the wall 11 of
the box which is opposite to the wall 6 (of the case 1)
presenting the access orifice 2,
- or by a return po
lygonal wall 10.

The upper limit of airlock 7 is formed by the
upper wall 12 of the receptacle box 1 or by a
partition fixed integrally and perpendicular to the
movable partition 4 and above 1 access port 5 of
the needle (of the movable partition).

The last wall of the airlock 7 presents the orifices
access 2 and 5 and is created successively
(figure 1) from the inside to the outside by
- the movable partition 4
- the wall 6 of the housing 1 having the orifice 2
needle access.

 Thus the lower part or floor of the airlock 7 is constituted by the partitions 9 and 10 contiguous along a line 13 (Figure 1) in the rest position.

 These wall eyes 9 and 10 are preferably oriented according to an oblique slope from top to bottom and from outside to inside, allowing the needle not to get stuck in the airlock 7 (after detaching the needle from the syringe) during his fall.

 In the rest position of the movable partition 4 (that is to say when the movable partition is in the high and stable position in FIGS. 2 and 3, all the described partitions constituting the limits of the airlock 7 are contiguous and allow the sealing of this airlock 7 around the access holes 2 and 5 of the needle Far relative to the storage cavity 15 (of the box 1, FIGS. 1 and 3) located under the partitions 9 and 10.

 The number of airlock walls is not limiting, nor its dimensions.

 The walls can be flat, straight, circular.

 The airlock in a section plane perpendicular to the axis of the access ports of the needle is either polygonal, circular or semi-circular.

 The angles of attachment of the partitions to each other or relative to the box 1 are non-limiting and depend on the shape of the airlock and its location relative to the walls of the box 1.

 The size of the airlock 7 must be able to allow complete insertion (base of the needle included) of hypodermic or other needles (veterinary, dental).

In this device there are two access holes for the needle in the box. One finds successively from outside inside the access opening 2 then the access opening
.

 The access port 2 is located # e in the wall 6 of the housing and is divided into two parts (FIG. 6) - an upper part 21 which is polygonal, semi-circular or circular (a circular shape is preferred>. The diameter of the part upper 21 of the orifice 2 is greater than the diameter of the base of the needle concerned.

- A lower part 22 is triangular in shape with a lower top.

the upper base of the triangle being equal to the diameter of the circle constituting the upper part 21 of the orifice 2.

 The orifice 2 therefore has a generally pear-shaped shape inverted when cut.

 The greatest width being located in the upper part; the smallest width of the orifice being at the lower end of the hole 2; this width being less than the diameter of the base of the needle in order to allow the device to operate as described below.

 The periphery of the orifice 2 can be smooth or present reliefs.

 The orifice 2 is preferably symmetrical on either side of a vertical axis 16 (FIGS. 2 and 6) passing successively: through the fictitious center of the circle constituting the upper part 21 of the orifice 2, through the middle of the upper base of the triangle, through the lower vertex of this same triangle constituting the lower part 22 of the orifice 2.

 The access port 5 is located in the movable partition 4. It is of polygonal or circular shape. It is preferably circular and its diameter is slightly greater than the diameter of the base of the hypodermic or other needle concerned, and less than or equal to the diameter of the circle constituting the upper part 21 of the orifice 2, and also less than the diameter of the cylinder constituting the end of the syringe carrying the nozzle on which the needle is fitted.

- Squeegee of the orifices
The orifice 5 serves during the introduction of the needle (base included) into the housing 1, as a vertical translation guide from the top to the bottom of the needle fixed to the tip of the syringe; the base of the needle situated inside the airlock 7 passing successively from the upper part 21 to the lower part 22 of the access orifice 2.

 The orifice 5 also serves as an activator of the movable partition and therefore indirectly allows the airlock 7 to be opened.

 The role of the orifice 2 is to separate the needle from the tip of the syringe in its lower part 22.

 When the base of the needle is in relation to the lower part 22 of the orifice 2, the edges of the latter orifice are positioned between the base of the needle and the end of the syringe until the blocking of the tip of the syringe on the edges of the lower part 22 of the orifice 2 (the needle with its base being completely inserted into the airlock 77.

 The manipulator can then by simple pulling on the syringe detach the needle from the end of the syringe.

- Operation of the device: the box being fixed on a piece of furniture near the injection site, the movable partition in the rest position (high position, the orifices 21 and 5 being at the same height).

 The operator's hand introduces the hypodermic needle (fitted on the end of the syringe) successively in the upper part 21 of the orifice 2 then in the orifice 5. The needle being completely introduced into the airlock 7 and l 'end of the syringe abutting on the wall 6 of the housing 1; the manipulator's hand presses the syringe up and down, thus exerting pressure on the lower part of the orifice 5 and causing a lowering of the movable partition 4.

 This lowering of the movable partition 4 and therefore of the partition 10 causes the loss of joint between the partitions 9 and 10 and thus the opening of the airlock 7 in its lower part and creates communication with the receptacle part 15 of the housing l.

 The stroke from top to bottom of the syringe tip (carrying the needle) is terminated by blocking the latter against the edges of the narrowed lower part 22 of the orifice 2. The hand of the manipulator then exerts a traction from the syringe to him. The base of the needle abutting on the edges of the lower part 22 of i'ori'ice 2 causes the disclidarisation 'of the needle-syringe assembly and the fall of the needle by gravity in the receptacle part of the box . Once the syringe has been removed, the movable partition under the action a spring 8 automatically returns to its upper rest position (FIG. 2) thus closing the airlock 7 and restoring the seal to the box.

 In the case where the needle after its fall remains in the airlock 7, the activation of the system to separate the next needle from the syringe allows its fall into the receptacle part 15 of the case 1.

 note that before throwing away the box full of used needles, it is preferable that the vacuum reactive manipulator (either by the syringe alone, or by the optional push button) in order to ensure the emptiness of the airlock 7.

 The push button can be considered; it can be presented as an extension of the movable partition 4 outside the housing 1, the upper end of the movable partition 4 passing through the upper face 12 (FIG. 1) of the housing I.

 This push button can allow cu to facilitate the use with both hands of the box 1 when the author manipulator has to use the box (without being able to fix it) far from the usual place of injection.

 The volume of the case can vary, it is necessary that it is not bulky fixed on a piece of furniture or on the back of the examination chair. the small volume of the box must be able to allow the manipulator to hold it easily in the hand or in a coat pocket if transport of the system proves essential.

R
There are many ways to fix it: double-sided icotchX, Velcrovis, fixing base (with clipping of the box on the base), fixing rails. The fixing means are reversible.

 The materials necessary for producing the system according to the invention are usually of the thermoformable polymer type, such as halogenated polymers, polyamides, polyolifines and other plastics.

The airlock system 7 can be an integral part of the box as described above3 but can also be a separable element from the receptacle box. The partition 10 mobilizing the upper cover of the receptacle box adjoining the airlock 7. The upper cover of the receptacle box (adjusted and disposable without the airlock 7) being automatically returned in the closed position. Thus during the separation of the box (receptacle only) from the airlock 7, the upper cover of the receptacle box being in the closed position the receptacle box is hermetic and easily transportable. The manipulator then reposition a new empty receptacle box under the airlock (gutters,
It rails, velcro / ..).

 In the most common use of the device, the housing 1 being fixed, gutters can be provided on the upper or lateral surface of the latter. ca; 'ibrée to the outside diameter of the syringe thus allowing it to rest between the different injection times on the same patient.

 The height of the gutters is deep enough that the end of the soiled needle secured to the syringe is out of reach of the fingers of the handler looking for an instrument in the tray, and only the gripping of the syringe by its handle or piston is possible.

 The diameter of the gutter is sufficiently adjusted to the diameter of the syringe so that the latter is placed by gentle friction in its housing.

 The syringe thus always placed in an identical position (gutter of the botUtr) around the injection site and easily gripped does not present any risk of sting for the manipulator when searching for surgical instruments # on the tray.

 - In a variant (FIG. 77, the partition 9 could be replaced by a depression 17 in the face 20 of the housing 1. This variant simplifies the manufacture of the airlock device 7 according to the invention.

 - In another simplified variant, the housing 1 does not have an airlock device 7 (the movable partition 4 and the partition 9 are removed) and a plug seals the orifice 2 of the housing 1 before transporting the one - filled with used needles (for destruction).

 - In another variant: the partitions 9 and 10 forming the floor of the airlock # 7) are respectively fixed to the walls 20 and 23 of the housing 3. These two partitions 9 and 10 are fixed and articulated relative to the faces 20 and 23 of the housing , 1 by a hinge, thinning or straight weakness 24 of the crazy plastic other constituent material) allowing the rotation of the partitions relative to the walls 20 and 23 of the housing 1 (Figures 8 and 9).

 These two partitions 9 and 10 have an automatic return system in the joined position (of their free edges) by means of a flexible metal or plastic blade fixed at one end to the walls of the housing -1 and at the other end in relationship with the undersides of partitions 9 and 10.

 The recall can also be obtained by the elasticity of the material constituting the partitions 9 and 10.

 When the movable partition 4 leaves its rest position (FIG. 8j high by pressing the tip of the syringe on the orifice 5, the pins 25 (fixed on the movable partition 4 and in relation to the upper faces of the partitions 9 and 10) lower the partitions 9 and 10 and thus open the airlock floor. The disengaged needle (by simple pulling of the syringe by the hand of the manipulator) drops into the lower receptacle 15 of the housing. movable partition automatically returns to the high rest position due to the elastic pressure exerted by the upper faces of the partitions 9 and 10 on the pins 25 integral with the movable partition 4, thus the spring 8 described in the first variant is no longer necessary for automatic closing of the airlock 7.

 - In another variant: the airlock 7 with upward mobility (movable partition 4) can other replaced by a rotary type airlock (barrel) (Figure 10).

 The needle lock part consists of one of the cubicles 30 of a barrel 31 rotating around an axis of rotation 32 perpendicular to the wall 6 and therefore parallel to the axis of the orifice 2. The axis of rotation 32 of the barrel is slightly offset with respect to the orifice 2 so that each entry orifice 35 of the cubicles 30 of the barrel 31 is in axial concordance with the orifice 2 during the rotation of the barrel 31.

 Thus the manipulator successively and completely introduces the soiled needle (fitted onto the tip of the syringe) into the orifice 21 then into the orifice 35 of the barrel stall (The orifice 35 is then in axial agreement with the orifice 21).

 The manipulator lowers the needle-syringe assembly at the level of the orifice 22 causing the barrel to rotate (by pressing on the lower edge of the orifice 35 concerned) and presentation of the orifice 36 (FIG. 10) of the following cubicle of the barrel 31 in axial correspondence with the orifice 21.

 The manipulator exerts traction on the syringe separating the needle which remains in the cubicle 30.

Under the action of a spring, the barrel ends its notched rotation with disappearance of the orifice 35 of the cubicle 30 containing the soiled needle. Thus in accordance with the orifice 21 (upper part of the orifice 2) there is the orifice 36 of the next empty cubicle; then during the rotation of the barrel, the contaminated needle (once the orifices 2 and 35 are out of agreement), falls under the action of gravity in the receptacle part 15 of the case the outer circular wall of the cylinder representing the barrel 31 being deleted.

 Thus the rotary airlock is constituted by the junction of the upper and lower partition of the cubicle as well as the side or upper walls of the housing 1.

 The barrel is necessarily located at the upper part of the case 1. The rotation of the barrel is by unidirectional security ensured by a notching notching (lug 39 having the shape of a right-angled triangle when cut), integral with the inside walls of the case ( figure 10).

 The storage part 15 of the housing 1 is therefore supplied by an identical system as "the water wheel of a mill". The rotation 37 of the barrel 31 is ensured by the single hand of the manipulator, the second hand being useless; the box is fixed to a piece of furniture by means of a double-sided stock or base 38 (FIG. 10) secured to the case 1 by gentle friction, clipping or rail 34 male or female.

 Note: It should be noted that the orifice 2 can be fitted with a needle ejection system so that the needle does not jam the system when the airlock is closed, whatever the variants.

 The dental needles (Figure 11) currently used are characterized by the fact that the plastic base (usually plastic, there are models in the cDmmerce metal base) of the needle 'is located between the two metal ends of "l 'needle proper' (in which the injected product circulates).

 One end 41 piercing the rubber stopper of the capsule containing the injectable product, the other end 42 coming into contact and piercing the tissue requiring injection.

 During the separation of the needle from the syringe via the orifice 22 of the orifice 2 of the housing 1; the end 41 of the dental needle 43 then protrudes outside the orifice 2 hampering the mobility of the movable partition 4 or of the barrel 31 and which can injure the manipulator (if the latter during a gesture puts the hand near the case). It is therefore necessary to provide the orifice 2 with an ejector totally propelling the needle (end 41 included) in the airlock.

The ejection system consists - either of the elasticity of the wall 6 in which is located
the orifice 2 (activated by the pulling of the wall 6 by the
base of the needle secured to the syringe).

- either by the installation (inside the box 1)
an elastic strip (plastic or metal) behind
free edges of hole 2.

- either by the existence of notches in the periphery of
the orifice 22 thus constituting lamellae 50 of which
the elasticity is a function of their size, their thickness,
of the material (constituting the lamellae or wall of the ori
fice 2) (figure 12i.

 To cause a spring effect, these lamellae in FIG. 13) are slightly offset inside the casing (relative to the wall 6) so as to cause their compression when the base of the needle attached to the syringe passes through (FIG. 14 ) and their release (Figure 15) (precipitating the needle completely in the airlock) when the needle is detached from the syringe.

 Thus, the total disappearance inside the case 1 of the end 41 of the needle 43 is obtained.

 The strips are preferably located asymmetrically on the edges of the orifice 22 so as to be useful whatever the height of the blocking of the syringe (in the orifice 22) and therefore of the model of syringe and needle .

 It should be noted that this ejection system is particularly advantageous for dental needles adapted on the syringe holder cartridge having no thread or thread described in patent no 8904934 FRANCE.

 Reminder of the figures: Figure 1 shows a section of the case 1 passing through the middle of the orifices 2 and 5, (axis 16>.

 Figures 2, 4, 10 and 12 show an external view of the box 1.

 Figures 3, 5 7, 8 and 9 show an internal view of the airlock system 7 of the housing 1.

 Figures 6 and 12 show hole 2.

 Figures 13. 14 and 15 show a section of the case 1 passing through the free edge of the orifice 2 in the different times of the separation of the equivalent crazy dental needle assembly) - syringe highlighting the spring effect of the coverslip 50.

Claims (2)

 l) Box used for the disassembly and storage of used hypodermic needles and the like with a view to their transport and destruction, characterized by the fact that it includes an airlock with automatic return and activated with one hand. 2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the orifice 2 of the case 1 is provided with strips 50 serving as a needle ejector inside the case 1.  ) Device according to claims 1) and 2) characterized in that the housing 1 is fixed reversibly to a baleen furniture direct (Scotchs double-sided) or indirect via a base.