GB2297230A

GB2297230A - Apparatus for and method of destroying syringe needles

Info

Publication number: GB2297230A
Application number: GB9525387A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven John Vickers
Original assignee: Modular Systems & Dev Co Ltd
Current assignee: Modular Systems & Dev Co Ltd
Priority date: 1994-12-12
Filing date: 1995-12-12
Publication date: 1996-07-24
Also published as: GB9425196D0; GB9525387D0

Abstract

An apparatus and method of destroying syringe needles 15 comprises a pair of electrically conductive members 6, 7 adapted to receive a syringe needle therebetween to provide an electrical path between said electrically conductive members, a sufficient current flowing through the members to melt the syringe needle, At least one of the electrically conductive members 6, 7 is movable against the bias of spring 19 to enable movement of one of the electrodes towards the other to ensure complete destruction of the needle.

Description

Title: Apparatus for and method of destroying syringe needles Description of invention This invention relates to an apparatus for destroying syringe needles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved apparatus for destroying syringe needles.

According to one aspect of the present invention, we provide apparatus for destroying syringe needles, said apparatus comprises a pair of electrically conductive members, means for providing an electrical potential between said electrically conductive members, said electrically conductive members being arranged to receive a syringe needle therebetween to provide an electrical connection between said electrically conductive members, one of said electrically conductive members being mounted for movement wherein at least a part thereof is movable towards and away from the other of said electrically conductive members.

Preferably, said electrically conductive members are positioned within a chamber, said chamber having an aperture adapted to receive a syringe needle, said aperture being positioned to enable the syringe needle to be inserted between said electrically conductive members.

Preferably, said movable electrically conductive member is mounted for pivotal movement and conveniently, biasing means may be provided to bias said movable electrically conductive member away from the other electrically conductive member.

Preferably, said movable electrically conductive member is adapted to be moved at least by a part of the syringe to which the needle is attached to cause movement of said movable electrically conductive member towards the other electrically conductive member so as to reduce the gap therebetween.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new or improved method of destroying syringe needles.

According to a further aspect of the invention, we provide a method of destroying syringe needles comprising causing movement of said syringe needle from an outer end thereof towards its other end adjacent the syringe between a pair of electrically conductive members establishing an electrical potential between said electrically conductive members so that a current passes through said syringe needle to melt said needle and wherein a part of said syringe is adapted to contact and move one of said electrically conductive members so as to move the electrically conductive members towards each other to enable the melting of that part of the syringe needle adjacent said syringe.

Preferably, that part of said syringe is a syringe collar, by means of which, the needle is connected to said syringe.

If said electrically conductive members are provided in a chamber provided with an aperture, preferably, one of said electrically conductive members is spaced nearer the aperture than the other.

Conveniently, the electrically conductive member is positioned nearest the aperture is the movable member and is conveniently mounted for limited pivotal movement.

The arrangement of the electrically conductive members ensures that movement of the movable electrically conductive member is caused by contact with the syringe or a part associated therewith to ensure that the syringe needle is destroyed up to or proximate to the position where it exits the syringe.

Preferably, said electrically conductive member comprises electrodes and conveniently, said electrodes may be made from a carbon-based material.

Where said movable member is biased, preferably movement of the syringe needle is in a direction at least partially against said bias to ensure good electrical contact between said electrically conductive members and said syringe needle. Preferably said biasing means comprises a spring.

Means may be provided to limit movement of said movable electrically conductive member to prevent contact between said electrically conductive members.

Preferably, at least one of said electrically conductive members is provided with a surface inclined to the direction of movement of said syringe needle during destruction thereof between said electrically conductive members.

Conveniently, said inclined surface is provided on a non-movable electrically conductive member.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the apparatus of the present invention, FIGURE 2 is a detailed view of a needle being inserted between the electrically conductive members, FIGURE 3 is a further view showing destruction of the needle, FIGURE 4 shows the completion of destruction of the needle, FIGURE 5 is a view of the underside of the electrically conductive member assembly shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Referring first to Figure 1, the apparatus comprises a casing 1, provided with a carrying handle 2 and an electrical switch 3 to which may be connected a source of mains electricity, which is connected via the switch 3 to the primary winding of a transformer 4.

The transformer 4 is provided with a low-voltage secondary wiring rated at approximately 4-5 volts and 20 Amps which is sufficient power to provide the heat necessary to melt a syringe needle 15. The secondary winding 5 is connected to a first electrically conductive member 6 and a second electrically conductive member 7, which are secured within a chamber 8.

The chamber 8 is provided with an aperture of sufficient size to receive not only a syringe needle 15 but also a syringe collar 9.

Also, within the casing 1 is provided a receptacle 10 adapted to receive the melted syringe needle. The receptacle 10 may, for example, comprise a drawer which may be removed from the casing 1 to enable disposal of melted needles.

Above the chamber 8, there is provided a further chamber 11 adapted to receive at least part of the syringe and provide further isolation to the user from the needle-destroying chamber 8.

The chamber 11 has a lower aperture 12 of a size permitting at least the lower part of the syringe to pass therethrough, and an upper aperture 13 of sufficient size to allow the body of the syringe 14 to pass therethrough, the spaced apertures 12 and 13 having the additional benefit of providing guidance for movement of the syringe 14 during a syringe needle destroying operation.

A syringe destroying operation will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

Referring initially to Figure 2, a syringe 14 has a collar 9 by means of which a syringe needle 15 is secured the syringe 14.

Electrically conductive members 6 and 7 are mounted in a housing, generally indicated at 25, the electrically conductive member 7 being fixed relative to the housing 25 and is provided with an inclined surface 16 and is electrically connected to a conductor 17 by a connector 28.

The other electrically conductive member 6 is mounted for pivotal movement about a pivotal axis 18 and is biased into the position shown in Figure 2 by spring means shown in dotted outline as 19. The movable electrically conductive member 6 is provided with an electrical conductor 26 shown in Figure 5. Stop means 20 shown in dotted outline are provided to limit the pivotal movement of the movable electrically conductive member 6.

The electrically conductive members 6 and 7 may be made from carbon or a carbon based material.

In operation of the apparatus to destroy a needle, the syringe 14 is placed into the chamber 11 shown in Figure 1, such that the syringe needle 15 approaches the position as shown in Figure 2, downward movement of the syringe causes the syringe needle 15 to complete an electrical circuit between the electrically conductive members 6 and 7. The current rating of the secondary winding of transformer 4 being sufficiently high to enable a sufficient current to pass through the needle to cause the syringe needle 15 to melt.

Figure 3 shows a further view of the destruction of the needle and it will be seen that the collar 9 approaches the movable electrode 6, which is being caused to pivot a small amount against the bias provided by spring 19, thus ensuring good electrical contact between the needle 15 and the electrically conductive members 6 and 7.

Figure 4 shows the needle collar 9 contacting the upper part of movable electrically conductive member 6 which has the effect of moving the electrically conductive member 6 towards the other electrically conductive member 7 so as to decrease the gap therebetween and ensure that the remainder of the needle projecting from the collar 9 is caused to melt the current passing through the needle 15.

It will be appreciated that even though the very last part of the needle 15 may not in fact be contacted by the electrically conductive members 6 and 7, contact of the electrically conductive members 6 and 7 with the needle 15 approaches the collar 9 and hence the last piece of needle is provided with sufficient heat to cause it to melt.

Figure 5 is a view of the underside of housing 25 in which the conductor 17 connected electrically to the electrically conductive member 7 by fastener 18 is shown, the conductor 17 being provided with a terminal 21 by means of which it is connected to the secondary winding of transformer 4.

The movable electrically conductive member 6 is held in position by mounting plate 22, secured by fasteners 23 and 24, which enables replacement of the movable electrically conductive member 6 if and when required.

Similarly, the electrically conductive member 7 may be replaced, once conductor 17 has been removed or alternatively, a complete replacement housing 25 can be provided to enable the user of the apparatus to rapidly replace the electrically conductive members 6 and 7 of the needle destroying part of the apparatus.

The apparatus and method of destruction of needles of the present invention thereby provides means to enable safe destruction of syringe needles, the container 10 allowing easy collection and disposal of the melted needles and the readily replaceable housing 25 holding the electrically conductive members 6 and 7 ensuring simple replacement of the part of the apparatus that may be subjected to wear, after prolonged use.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. Apparatus for destroying syringe needles, said apparatus comprises a pair of electrically conductive members, means for providing an electrical potential between said electrically conductive members, said electrically conductive members being arranged to receive a syringe needle therebetween to provide an electrical connection between said electrically conductive members, one of said electrically conductive members being mounted for movement wherein at least a part thereof is movable towards and away from the other of said electrically conductive members.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive members are positioned within a chamber, said chamber having an aperture adapted to receive a syringe needle.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said movable electrically conductive member is mounted for pivotal movement.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein biasing means is provided to bias said movable electrically conductive member away from the other electrically conductive member.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said electrically conductive members are made from a carbon or a carbon based material.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said movable electrically conductive member is adapted to be moved at least by a part of the syringe to which the needle is attached, to cause movement of said movable electrically conductive member towards the other electrically conductive member.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 wherein said part of said syringe is a syringe collar, by means of which the needle is attached to said syringe.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or any claim appendant thereto, wherein one of said electrically conductive members is spaced nearer the aperture than the other.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the movable electrically conductive member is positioned nearest the aperture.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one of said electrically conductive members is provided with a surface inclined to the direction of movement of said syringe needle during destruction thereof, between said electrically conductive members.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 wherein said one of said electrically conductive members is the non-movable member.

12. A method of destroying syringe needles comprising causing movement of said syringe needle from an outer end thereof towards its other end adjacent the syringe between a pair of electrically conductive members, establishing an electrical potential between said electrically conductive members so that a current passes through said syringe needle to melt said needle and wherein a part of said syringe is adapted to contact and move one of said electrically conductive members so as to move the electrically conductive members towards each other to enable the melting of that part of the syringe needle adjacent said syringe.

13. An apparatus for destroying syringe needles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of destroying syringe needles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. Apparatus for destroying syringe needles including any novel feature or novel combination of features as described herein or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

16. A method of destroying syringe needles including any novel step or combination of steps as disclosed herein or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.