GB2530102A - Lightweight, portable, handheld, rechargeable, needle safety incineration device and charging dock - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable hand-held metal needle incineration device comprises a main body, an aperture 37, two electrodes 38 39, a needle fragment or residue collection receptacle 31, a control circuit, a rechargeable power supply (such as a battery 33) and means of charging the power supply. The electrodes are positioned to gain sufficient contact with a needle inserted into the aperture, and receives energy discharged from a high density capacitor 44. Also claimed is a docking station for recharging the power supply. The fragment receptacle may be held closed using a magnet. A rotatable belt clip 43 may be fastened to the unit, and it might need to be rotated to provide access to the receptacle. This device may reduce the health risk of contaminated needles.

Description

Lightweight, portable, handheld, rechargeable, needle safety incineration device and charging dock.

S

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a lightweight, portable, rechargeable device and charging dock, for the incineration of the needle component connected to a syringe.

Background

Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, General Practitioners, Veterinarians, Paramedics, Farmers, and health care workers are some of the people at an increased risk of infection due to occupational exposure to blood and other bodily fluid injuries from contaminated needles. Sticking injuries have been well documented in the

HSE, HSA and further afield.

The current practice to make safe a one off use needle is to have a protective cap placed over the metallic section of the syringe rendering the needle safe.

This requires a surface or two handed manipulation to engage the protective cap, bringing the hand into risk of being stuck or jabbed by the needle. This also brings an additional cost to the purchase of all syringes with this safety element built into the syringe. This method does not sterilize the needle or guarantee that the needle will remain within the cover once deposited in a designated receptacle. The size of the syringe in this arrangement has waste cost implications due to the cubic area it consumes. The operator responsible for servicing the designated sharps bins or receptacles inherits the risk of being susceptible to a jab by a needle when disposing of the waste or transferring the waste to the final waste container. The real-estate that the covered needle occupies within the bin means a high frequency of servicing again incurring high labour costs. The frequency of changes required are high to ensure the bins are in a safe condition. The distance the needle has to travel to be rendered completely safe has a negative impact on the environment and the risk it poses in this journey is potentially high. The incineration of the needle at source will reduce the quantity and cost of lawsuits and potential deaths from transmitted diseases or viruses through a reduction in incidents of persons being jabbed by a needle.

The portable, handheld, rechargeable, needle incineration device has been designed to reduce the risks posed by both uncontaminated and contaminated needles at source or point of use for example at a patient's bedside or at the scene of an accident. The needle is fed into the aperture which is strategically angled and positioned to ensure that the needle is in a controlled safe state while being fed into the aperture. When the needle is fed into the aperture the needle touches off both the positive and negative contacts allowing energy to pass between the contacts instantly incinerating the needle, reducing the detection of viruses, bacteria and pathogens. The device is designed to be compact, light and safe for the operator to use and integrate into their daily routine. The needle post S use in the device is rendered safe for disposal and the size of the needle waste is reduced up to 90%.

Summary of the Invention

Generally, the object of the invention is to safely incinerate a syringe needle, the incineration of the needle is achieved by passing a sufficiently high current through the said needle, the power dissipated by the needle provides enough energy that the needle does not have enough time to cool thus the temperature rises enough to melt the needle over a short period of time. This provides a means of making safe a needle at point of use, reducing costs, waste and risk of infection to the operator, user or surrounding handling affiliates.

In this example arrangement the device comprises an ergonomically designed main body, containing a battery power source, high power density capacitor providing energy storage, wiring, electronic circuitry, charger dock receivers, waste collection drawer lined with metal composite, magnet, reusable electrodes concealed behind the aperture.

A needle is introduced into the aperture, on introduction the needle comes into contact with two electrodes positive and negative respectively separated by air.

The incineration of the needle is completed by a sufficiently high current delivered from an ultra-capacitor or high density energy storage component connected to the electrodes, on insertion closed contact is made allowing a flow through the needle disintegrating the needle to a small safe contamination free metal fragment. The power dissipated in the needle provides enough energy that the needle does not have enough time to cool, the temperature rises high enough that the metal in the needle disintegrates over a short period of time.

The device has an inbuilt safety feature, as the ultra-capacitor or the energy storage device has been designed to handle large current pulses, if a permanent shod occurred across the electrodes or terminals the capacitor would dump its high current into the short, but would quickly discharge and remain in a safe condition as the battery pack discharged over time at a low and safe current level with no risk of fire, burn or shock. The resulting fragment is captured in a removable fragment collection drawer beneath the point of incineration and can be emptied at the user's discretion of frequency or when the drawer is full, indicated by an led on the main body. The drawer can be magnetised or fitted with a lid in a non-return valve type arrangement to ensure no fragments can escape form the drawer, should the device be dropped or inverted.

The charging dock is an ergonomically designed charging dock designed to ensure ease of placement and to utilize minimum real estate while in a charging state. The charging dock can be delivered in multiple arrangements, one potential arrangement being a dock to house the power source and charging electronics leaving only the charge storage component and incineration electrodes as a detachable reusable one off needle destruction device, requiring repositioning to the charging dock post discharge for re-establishing the charge in the energy storage component. The typical charging dock arrangement is a charging dock containing all the charging circuitry, LED charging indicator and support structure for positioning and safe manipulation of incineration device.

Brief Description of drawings:

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of an example only, with reference to S the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 -1 D illustrates a isometric, front view, side elevation, cross section and end view of the portable, handheld, needle safety incineration device comprising rechargeable power source Fig. 2 -2B illustrates a isometric, plan view, and cross-section of the charging dock to receive device.

Fig. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the portable, needle disposal safety device docked with charging dock in charging or home states.

Fig. 4 is a detailed schematic wiring diagram for the embodiment of Fig. 1 Fig. 5 are block diagrams illustrating the various power arrangements that may be is used to implement the system and methods described herein

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment:

The current application and embodiment relates to the invention of a Lightweight, portable, handheld, rechargeable, needle safety incineration device as indicated in isometric view Fig. 1. The needle incineration disposal device includes as seen in Fig 1 a main body 10, removable metal fragment collection drawer collecting burnt metal fragments 11, removable battery & circuitry cover 12, aperture ring 13 highlighting needle insertion point, back cover 14 protecting user from internal electrodes and light emitting diode indicator 15. Front view Fig. lAthe main body 16, aperture 17 to receive needle insertion and aperture ring 18 highlighting said aperture insertion point 17, preventing needle slippages while present in incineration process, scratch plate 19 and light emitting diode 20.

Side elevation Fig. 1 B shows the main body 21, fragment collection drawer 22, back cover 23, battery, circuitry cover 24, belt clip fixing 25, belt clip 26, aperture ring 27, light emitting diode 29 and scratch plate 28 for needle clearance and to allow angle adjustment to user's insertion preference.

Fig. 1 C cross section view details the internals of the device, the back cover 30 protecting the user from the incineration process, fragment collection drawer 31 collecting said fragments, held in position by magnet mounted in magnet slot 32, rechargeable power source 33 providing power to device circuitry, charging points positioned at the base of the device to allow recharging when in cradle position the positive node 34 and negative node 35, power circuitry 45 regulating power, capacitor 44 storing adequate incineration charge, light emitting diode state indicator 36, aperture 37 denotes point of insertion for needle, electrode A 38 and electrode B 39 denote the points of contact where the needle is incinerated, fragment deposit is captured in fragment receptacle 31 complete with non-return system 40 in event of device inversion, contact points acting as a full indicator top 41 and bottom contact 42 act as a full indicator when fragments fill the receptacle to make contact with both contacts 41 and 42 the circuit is closed activating light emitting diode sequence, belt clip 43 pivoting on fixing 46 acting as secondary restraint for receptacle.

Fig. 1 D end view shows the ergonomic shape of the main body 47 reducing twist while in use, positive charging contact position 48, negative charging point position 49 and the profile of the belt clip 50.

Fig. 2 shows an isometric view of the charging dock for the lightweight, portable, handheld, rechargeable, needle safety incineration device, the charging dock case 51 provides enclosure for circuitry, stability for the device is realized through the profile indentation 52 while in the charging position, a toughened glass or opaque polymer support 53 with profile cut-out 54 to allow device to be inserted into dock to correct orientation ensuring recharging contacts 55 are made, support mounted on a spacer 56 secured with fasteners 57, charging dock includes an led indicator 58 to indicate that device is charging and in correct seated position.

Fig. 2A plan View of the charging dock shows the charging point arrangement, three number negative pins 59 and a positive pin 60, glass or polymer support 61 profile cut out 62 to receive the device, fasteners 63 securing support to spacers.

Fig. 2B cross section view details the charging dock internals, positive pin position 64, negative pin position 65, charging dock base cover 66 protecting internal circuitry 76 positioned on feet 67 to keep base off surfaces for cooling purposes, charging dock case 68, wire inlet position 69 from mains supply, internal cavity 70, device profile indent to receive device 71, support spacer 72, glass or polymer support 73 with device profile cut out 74 fastened 75 to spacer 72.

Fig. 3 details an isometric view of the device in the home or charging position in the charging dock, main body of the device 77 seated in charging dock case 78 and supported by glass or opaque polymer support 79 fixed to spacers 80 via fasteners 81.

Fig. 4 is a detailed schematic wiring diagram for the preferred embodiment, when a needle is inserted through the aperture of the device and makes contact with the electrodes or terminals 82 the circuit is complete allowing the capacitor to discharge sufficient energy to said electrodes 82 to melt metal needle. The Capacitor 83 is charged through a control circuit 84 from a rechargeable battery source, the rechargeable batteries 85 or power source and charging electronics 86 in the preferred embodiment are located in the device, accessible from the back of the device.

Fig. 5 illustrates block diagrams of the various power arrangements that could be used to implement the system and methods described herein.

Claims (11)

1. Claims 1. A lightweight, portable, handheld, rechargeable, metal needle incineration device S comprising; a main body, a means of needle insertion through the aperture located on the main body, two reusable conductive electrodes formed for maximum contact of the metal needle insertion, fragment collection receptacle, electrodes connected to a sufficient rechargeable energy storage source to allow controlled discharge of sufficient electrical current to electrodes allowing disintegration of said needle insertion, wiring, a control circuit, a rechargeable power supply and means of charging.
2. 2. The device as in claim 1, particularly comprises a high density capacitor connected to the electrodes, said capacitor discharges sufficient energy to electrodes to melt metal needle contact when inserted through aperture to is electrode contacts.
3. 3. The apparatus of Claim 2, connected to the preferred embodiment control circuit limiting the voltage and current replenishing the capacitor from the rechargeable power source
4. 4. The apparatus of Claim 2, fundamentally acts as a safety device limiting the maximum discharge of current to the electrodes and the preferred embodiment control circuit of Claim 3 ensures low controlled current levels supplied to the capacitor, if in the unlikely event the device continues in a short across the electrodes
5. 5. The device in Claim 1, comprises a means for charging, rechargeable power supply feeding control circuit to the high density capacitor
6. 6. The device of Claim 1 wherein a charging docking station provides a means of charging such that the incineration device can be replenished post depletion or use.
7. 7. The device of Claim 1 further comprises an aperture with preceding scratch plate, said aperture is angled presenting a safe entry position forcing the needle away from the user and provides stability in use
8. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprises a means of collecting incinerated fragments, such that a removable receptacle is held in closed position via a magnet enabling the user to empty the receptacle as required without hindrance of fastener removal,
9. 9. The magnetically engaged incinerated fragment receptacle of claim 4 in which the magnetic means of engaging said receptacle in closed position ensures fragment storage in event of apparatus inversion, secondly a safety lid is activated in an instance of inversion acting in a non-return valve arrangement.
10. 10. The device of claim 1, further comprises a rotatable belt clip fastened to the rear of the unit to allow the user to mount the device, when not in use rotation of said clip will provide access to the fragment collection receptacle
11. 11. The device of claim 2, in which the utilization of the aperture angle allows for the device to be positioned in a horizontal or vertical position without limiting needle contact or incineration process. a12.The device as in claim 1, further comprises when in full preferred embodiment arrangement, the main body housed power source charging dock locator pins ensuring seat and charge point electrodes.13. The device as in claim 6 further comprises a profile indent to receive the S incinerating device, stabilizing supports mounted on spacers and a light emitting diode indicating visual charging validation.14. The device as in Claim 13 may contain all recharging control circuitry for replenishing of rechargeable power source.15. Portable, handheld, rechargeable device for one off disintegration of metal needles, comprising; a main body, aperture to receive needle, conductive formed electrodes separated by air, disintegrated fragment receptacle, a sufficient rechargeable energy storage source to allow controlled discharge of sufficient electrical current to electrodes allowing disintegration of said needle insertion, wiring, a control circuit and means of charging.16. The device as in Claim 14 wherein a charging docking device provides a means such that the incineration device high density capacitor can be replenished post depletion or use