KR19990022202A - Portable Syringe Needle Destruction Device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a needle breaking device of a portable electric arc system. The portable destruction device uses battery pack 12 and capacitor 142 or energy storage circuit 20 to increase current. The apparatus also includes a filter 82 and a fan 32 in which the sterilizer is immersed.

Description

Portable Syringe Needle Destruction Device

The subcutaneous syringe needles used may contain potentially dangerous residual substances such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B or other infectious diseases that are transmitted through the blood. Since the sharp tip of the syringe needle can pierce the skin of several people, various instruments are usefully used to destroy the needle to handle such needles. Some of such instruments utilize an incineration device that generates a current to destroy the needle, a grinding device that polishes and grinds the syringe needle and syringe housing, or a device using a combination of the incineration device and the grinding device.

By way of example, U. S. Patent No. 5,076, 178 to Kohl et al. Discloses a needle incineration mechanism. The insertion of the needle to be broken presses on the carriage unit, which is connected to a power source such that a high voltage current is transmitted to the needle through the unit. However, the movement of the carriage is limited in ensuring the operator's attempt not to burn the entire length of the abnormally long needle in one operation so that the power capacity is not exceeded. Similar to the apparatus disclosed by Kohl et al., Other instruments, such as those described in US Pat. No. 4,628,169 to Ch'ing-L'ung, ensure that the needle reliably destroys the needle by the user. It needs to be carefully fed into the device. Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 4,877,934 to Spinello, which is powered on its own through an optional rechargeable battery, also allows the user to shorten the needle to allow the needle to be destroyed by the current for incineration. An apparatus is disclosed that requires the progressive supply of gas into an apparatus. Thus, when using the device disclosed in the Spinello or Ch'ing-L'ung patent, an impatient or careless user may leave a dangerous stub by destroying only part of the needle. .

Such careful feeding is more complicated by the fact that the needle sizes vary. In the case of destroying an oversized needle, the destruction mechanism may not develop sufficient current or may take a long time to destroy the needle completely. Similarly, when an oversized needle is broken, the electrodes of the incineration destruction mechanism are too far apart so that the circuit between the electrodes cannot be closed by the needle. Moreover, unceasing use of the instrument may gradually destroy the electrodes to further space the gap between the electrodes, or the electrodes may be coated with slag formed while the needle is broken. Thus, current may not flow or may only flow intermittently from the electrode to the needle, leaving all or a portion of the needle intact.

Moreover, even if the needle is broken to some extent, there may be some residual material from the needle or syringe remaining inside the destruction mechanism. Thus, U.S. Patent No. 4,961,541 to Hashimoto points out that disinfectants may be applied to the syringe during the crushing operation. However, the spreading operation for each syringe is time consuming and can easily be overlooked due to the burden of other tasks. In addition, there is no facility for preventing the divergence through the air during the destruction of the needle. Without proper precautions and / or rapid destruction processes, airborne pathogens can exit the hollow needle during or before and after the destruction process.

In addition, for each of the aforementioned instruments, the needle must be conveyed by the user to the destroying instrument. This activity doubles the risk that medical personnel and others may be accidentally stabbed by a needle before destruction. U.S. Patent No. 5,046,669 to Wallace et al. Recognizes that the collection of used hypodermic syringe needles for destruction involves serious problems. Wallace et al. Present a central processing unit and a collection unit, which have the combined function of melting the plastic syringe housing while fracturing the needle into fragment pieces.

Even so, for example, blood may be transported to a place where blood is transfused or vaccinated away from the medical institution, or may be carried by a nurse in a large hospital or during regular rounds. It would also be desirable to have a small handheld device. However, besides the self-powered Spinello patent mechanism which only gradually destroys the needle and does not suppress its divergence into the air, a truly portable, compact and inexpensive destruction mechanism cannot be purchased. Instead, many destruction mechanisms are equipped with a number of bells and whistles that increase in complexity and cost, such as large-capacity transducers for connecting the instrument to the main power supply, or infrared sensors for the operation of the instrument. Such complexity is entirely unnecessary for many users who simply want to completely destroy the needle before it is discarded. Such users include diabetics and dentists who use very small and fine needles. Such people want to properly dispose of used needles, but such proper disposal is not easily tolerated due to the high cost and excessive complexity of the destruction device.

The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for stably and efficiently destroying a hypodermic syringe needle used.

1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention having an adjustable rotating electrode, wherein the adjustable electrode is set to accommodate a small needle; FIG.

Figure 2B is a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, showing that the adjustable electrode is set to accommodate a large needle.

3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention with an adjustable electrode and a vibrating electrode plate.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating elements of an embodiment of the present invention that is portable and inexpensive with a storage circuit that generates a large volume of near instantaneous discharge for the destruction of a needle.

The invention can be used in a variety of locations, has a self-contained power source, completely destroys needles of various lengths and thicknesses in one step, and is portable to inhibit sterilization and / or release of pathogens and potential contaminants. Providing a mechanism solves the above problems. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention provides a simple and inexpensive needle destruction mechanism that is capable of instantaneous and complete destruction of microneedles, such as those used by dentists or diabetics.

In summary, the present invention provides a power supply, such as a replaceable or rechargeable battery, an adjustable dial used to adjust the spacing between two electrodes such that a variable size needle may be used in the instrument, and from the instrument. The present invention relates to a portable needle destruction mechanism including a fungicide injection filter for preventing the release of airborne pathogens and particles. The battery is rechargeable. However, instead of being directly connected to one of the electrodes, the battery may be connected to an energy storage device, such as an inductor, a capacitor or a thyristor semiconductor device circuit. The energy storage mechanism is charged by a battery and maintains a predetermined amount of charge discharged when a predetermined needle is inserted to form a short circuit between the electrodes. The discharged charge, or arc, is powerful enough to completely destroy the small needle without the need for the user to insert the needle in small portions continuously into the instrument for reliable destruction of the needle. Optionally, even in the case of a large needle, the discharged charge significantly accelerates the destruction of the needle, and the battery may supply power to the electrode so that the large needle breaks rapidly upon initial insertion of the needle and discharge of the stored charge. Can be.

The breaking mechanism can be applied to all needles of various lengths and dimensions by providing adjustment means to adjust the spacing between the electrodes. The adjusting means is adjusted by the dial, which is rotated by the user to move the adjustable electrode. Rotating the dial in one direction reduces the deflection of the spring to accommodate the smaller needle more effectively as the adjustable electrode is spaced away from the second electrode. In the absence of such adjustment, it is very difficult for the user to completely destroy the entire needle. If the spacing between the electrodes is too large for a small needle, then perhaps the user is forced to move the needle back and forth to ensure complete contact between the needle and the electrodes. If such a process of movement control is insufficient, it leaves behind a dangerous and sharp recess of the needle. Optionally, if the spacing of the electrodes is too small, the use of a large needle will cause the electrode to wear faster, resulting in breakage of the electrode or at least an exchange time earlier than necessary when the large needle is not used. Can be.

In one embodiment, as generally exemplified and described in US Pat. No. 5,138,124 to Kirl et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, the power source may be used to remove slag generated while the needle is broken. To this end, it may be connected to a motor for selectively rotating the second electrode. If the power source is a battery, a direct current (DC) motor should be used. Since the motor can be operated when the user electrically connects the adjacent second electrode by pushing the needle into the instrument, causing a discharge of the stored charge, the high-speed starting torque motor ( high starting torque motors (eg DC motors) can be used. Immediate rotation ensures that slag or other residue formed by the destruction of the needle is attached to the electrode and dumped into the disposal cartridge by rotation of the second electrode instead of reducing the efficiency of the electrode.

In another embodiment, the second electrode is a flat plate having one or more oblique edges. The plate is connected to a moving or vibrating means to reciprocate the plate back and forth so that the electrode can be effectively cleaned by dropping slag on the side of the plate. The movement or vibration should not greatly displace the electrode even if the vibration of the electrode is made of high frequency, and inclining a predetermined edge of the electrode may help to remove almost all slag. One such vibrating means is a buzzer circuit that uses a predetermined coil to form a magnetic field that draws a metallic strip towards the coil. When the strip is moved away from the stop plate, a short circuit occurs between the coil and its power source, which causes the strip to return to its stop position, at which point the circuit is energized so that the strip is moved back from its stop position. Is aspirated. (The frequency of the buzzer circuit can be adjusted by changing the elasticity of the strip or the magnetic field strength formed by the coil.) By connecting one end of the strip to a predetermined electrode, the electrode reciprocates back and forth as the strip moves forward and backward. Will be moved. Another means of movement may simply be a motor with a rotating shaft and an eccentric weight which causes vibration of the motor. In accordance with the mechanical connection between the motor and the electrode, vibrations are transmitted to the electrode.

Although the motor may be used for movement of the electrode, the shaft of the motor may be connected to a fan that sucks smoke, dust or particle-containing air through a case containing a battery, a motor, an electrode and a disposal cartridge. have. Air is passed between the disposal cartridge sealed to the side of the case with a gasket to prevent smoke, dust and particles from entering the case surrounding the motor. The air passes between filters that are immersed in the disinfectant, which is contained in a detachable tray that can replace the filter or refill the disinfectant. The fungicide acts to purify the contaminants from the air while removing the odor of the emanation caused by the evaporation of the residues remaining in the needle. A timer on the control board connected to the motor allows the motor to be run at predetermined intervals such that the fan is sufficient to prevent any vapors and smoke from the breakdown of the needle from entering the unfiltered and unpurified state through the immersed filter. A positive amount of air can be drawn into the cartridge.

In another embodiment, the destruction mechanism has a case surrounding the battery that can be connected to the energy storage circuit, the first electrode and the second electrode. Any one of the first and second electrodes is provided with an adjuster as an adjustment means by which the user can adjust the gap so as to adjust the size of the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode so as to accommodate needles of different sizes. The energy storage mechanism may be comprised of a capacitor, inductor or thyristor semiconductor element circuit, the capacitor, inductor or thyristor semiconductor element circuit may be connected to a battery to store charge so that a needle may be inserted through a hole in the case to contact both electrodes. When the stored charge can be discharged immediately. If the needle is too small, the discharged charge will normally destroy the entire metallic tip of the needle completely instantaneously. Thus, this embodiment is particularly suitable for breaking a double-ended needle having a sharp tip first needle portion extending outside the syringe body and a second needle portion extending through the hub to the syringe body. Normally, since the second needle portion is surrounded by a syringe, there are two steps that are not convenient for breaking the needle, that is, the user first destroys the sharp first needle portion, and then disconnects the hub, and then the syringe body There is a need for a two-step process that includes breaking a second needle portion extending inwardly. The invention utilizes an energy storage mechanism to generate an arc and discharge that is strong enough to destroy the entire length of the needle (e.g., both the first and second needle portions) when the needle is inserted into the hole and contacts the two electrodes. You can.

Rechargeable packs may be provided that can be used in the battery. LEDs can be used to indicate whether the battery needs recharging or when the capacitor is recharged and ready to destroy another needle.

In summary, the present invention can safely and efficiently completely and effectively destroy hypodermic syringe needles of any size, while preventing the escape of steam, dust, particles, or airborne emissions upon the destruction of the needles used. Provide an appliance. With the introduction of a slag removal device for removing slag from the electrode, the performance of the electrode is maximized. Inexpensive portable instruments can be used as the instrument of the present invention for complete destruction of small needles, including double-ended needles.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable mechanism for the destruction of a needle.

It is a further object of the present invention to connect the power supply to an energy storage device which causes a discharge which is strong enough to at least partially destroy the needle used.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a predetermined dial connected to the spacing adjuster for properly sizing the spacing between the electrodes carrying current to the needle to be broken.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a filter in which a fungicide is immersed in order to completely purify the vapors and other contaminants released upon the destruction of the needles used.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and drawings.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing one embodiment of the portable needle breaking mechanism 10 of the present invention. A power supply, such as a battery 12 connected to the control board 14, is surrounded by a case 11, which includes a timer 15. Rechargeable outlet 16 may be provided to allow instrument 10 to fit into the rechargeable instrument for charging battery 12. Power line 18 extends from control board 14 to charge or energy storage circuit 20 and back to motor 22. The storage circuit 20 typically consists of a capacitor, but other mechanisms such as inductors or thyristor circuits can also be used. An LED on the outside of the case to indicate to the user whether the battery 12 needs to be recharged or whether the recharging of the storage circuit 20 is complete and the instrument 10 is ready to accept and destroy another needle. 13 may be provided.

The motor 22 drives a motor shaft 24 which rotates the paddle-wheel fan 32 having a plurality of slates 34 and the first pulley wheel 26. The first pulley wheel 26 is connected to the second pulley wheel 28 by an O-ring belt 30, whereby the second pulley wheel drives the electrode shaft 40.

The adjustable electrode 46 concentrates electrical potential when the tip 71 of the needle is inserted through the hole 68 in the case 11 and contacts both the adjustable electrode 46 and the rotating electrode 44. In order to deliver the current to the metallic needle tip 71, an inclined surface 48 terminating at the tip 50 is formed. The guide 74, which can be provided in the form of a funnel as a whole, is spring loaded by a spring, which spring is wound around an expandable portion that opens even more in accordance with the size of the needle 70 to be inserted into the hole 68. . The guide 74 ensures that the needle tip 71 is led directly to the gap 52 for destruction. Thus, the guide 74 eliminates the need to move and adjust the needle tip 71 back and forth to ensure contact between the needle tip 71 and the electrodes. The guide 74 also protects the user from sparks generated during the breakdown process and reduces the likelihood that waste generated during breakdown is discarded through the hole 68 and possibly reached by the user's hand.

The contact between the needle tip 71 and the electrodes basically closes the open circuit consisting of electrodes connected in parallel to the storage circuit 20 and the battery 12. Due to the closure of the circuit, the storage circuit 20 immediately generates a discharge arc between the electrodes, by which the tip 71 of the needle is destroyed. Since the storage circuit 20 initially significantly amplifies the effective current value delivered to the needle 70 through the electrode, it is known that a battery voltage of about 6 V is sufficient to break most needles 70.

The current transfer to the needle tip 71 having a high electrical resistance value heats and melts the needle tip 71 to form a slag 72. Rotation of the rotary electrode 44 causes the slag 72 to drop into the cartridge 80 while drawing the needle tip 71 further into the instrument 10. Using a shield disposed inside the case 11 and surrounding the rotating electrode 44 and the adjustable electrode 46, the slag 72 is guided into the cartridge 80 while the slag is behind the hole 78. It is even more guaranteed not to escape. The residue remaining on the tip of the used needle generates some smoke, steam or dust even though it is mostly destroyed by electric current. The guide 74 and shield can prevent most of this material from escaping out of the hole 68, but if the fan 32 is not in operation, most of this material will escape.

The fan 32 sucks air into the cartridge 80 through the aperture 68. The air contains a divergence resulting from the destruction of the needle tip 71. The air is a filter in which a disinfectant for sterilization of any pathogens that may not be present in the needle tip 71 and for the purification of the air is dipped. 82) Pass through me. The filter 82 may be composed of multiple membranes that can better capture particles of various sizes. The filter is held in a detachable tray that is easily removable from the case 11 to allow for replenishment of the sterilant or replacement of the filter 82. Optionally, a door or access sliding hatch may be used for access to the tray containing the filter 82. As it passes through the filter 82, the deodorized air exits the case 11 through the exhaust port 84. The gasket 86 prevents unfiltered air from passing through the cartridge, which permits passage of unfiltered air, as well as causing a bad odor from the case 11 to be trapped by particles that cling to the unfiltered air. This may result in the motor 22 being blocked.

3 is a view illustrating certain embodiments of the present invention, in which the case surrounds another adjusting means 102 for adjusting the gap between the movable electrode 110 and the conducting plate 120. 100). The case 100 also encloses and houses a power source, storage circuit 20 and motor 130, which power source can be a converter or battery that can be connected to the main power source via a conventional plug or cord. (Optionally, a filtration system with a fan and a filtered cartridge may be disposed within the case 100.)

The movement or vibration of the vibration plate 120 forms a slag 72 on the surface of the vibration plate 120 which serves as an electrode for conducting current to the tip of the needle inserted between the holes 101 of the case 100 for destruction. To ensure that it is not Vibration may be accomplished by installing a motor 130 having a high rpm on the diaphragm 120. Vibration is induced in the motor by placing the eccentric weight portion 132 on the motor shaft, and the vibration is mechanically transmitted to the diaphragm 120. Vibration can also be achieved by applying spring tension to the diaphragm 120, attaching the cam to a rotating shaft driven by the motor 130, and engaging the cam in contact with one end of the diaphragm 120. It may be. The rotation of the cam is converted into mechanical vibration of the diaphragm 120 in spring tension.

Optionally, the diaphragm 120 may be confined within a predetermined groove or track and may also reciprocate back and forth in the track to remove slag that may be attached to the diaphragm 120 when not removed. One end is connected to the vibration means. One such reciprocating means may be a buzzer circuit, but any means of moving the diaphragm 120 may be used. In addition, a cleaning mechanism may be provided that allows a user to clean the diaphragm 120. The cleaning mechanism may be a blade disposed adjacent to the track and may be moved close to the track, preferably by a user, to wipe off slag or residue from the diaphragm 120 after one or more needles have been broken. . Optionally, the cleaning mechanism may simply be an adjustable block, one side of which may be guided in contact with the diaphragm 120 as a cleaning surface and manually moved over the surface of the diaphragm 120, or the diaphragm 120 It is held against the surface of the diaphragm during the movement or vibration of the diaphragm.

The adjusting screw 109 may be used to adjust the initial gap between the movable electrode 110 and the diaphragm 120, and the diaphragm has a triangular shape in which one of the legs is connected or loosely attached to the case 100. Can be. Reposition the movable electrode 110 from a position suitable for breaking a small sized needle, indicated by Psg, whose diameter is Dsg, to a position suitable for destroying a large sized needle, indicated by Plg, whose diameter is Dlg). To this end, the gap 50 can be widened or narrowed by the manipulation of the adjusting means 102. The adjusting means 102 can be actuated by having the user turn the dial 103 to select the size of the needle. The rotational movement of the dial 103, which can be placed in tension under the spring 104, forces the end of the adjusting screw 105 to face down towards the rear of the movable electrode 110. The force exerted by the adjusting screw 105 overwhelms the deflection spring 106, causing the movable electrode 110 to pivot about the pivot point 108.

The initial position of the movable electrode 110 is determined in part according to the degree of vertical displacement caused to the diaphragm 120 by vibration. In order to prevent the diaphragm 120 from inadvertently contacting the movable electrode 110 while vibrating, the diaphragm needs to vibrate only along its horizontal axis. A lead may be fixed to the diaphragm 120 and the electrode 110 to transmit current to the movable electrode 110 and the diaphragm 120. As the needle is inserted into the hole 101, its tip is broken. The resulting slag 72 or other debris is oscillated from the diaphragm 120 via vibration and falls into a cartiga 80 that may have a sterilant immersed filter 82.

Additional embodiments are shown in FIG. The simple handheld instrument 140 of this embodiment includes a power line 18 leading to the first and second electrodes 144 and 146 and a battery 12 connected to the capacitor 142. It should be noted that the first and second electrodes 144 and 146 may be fixed, or the second electrode 146 may be connected to the slag removal means 148, in which case the slag removal means is the control board 14 The slag is dropped from the second electrode to the cartridge 80 by moving the second electrode 146 through the operation of the motor 150 according to the command. However, the slag removal means 148 is entirely optional in this embodiment, since this embodiment is configured for the use of a very small needle that can be destroyed sufficiently with only one capacitor 142. .

The foregoing description is provided for the purpose of illustrating and illustrating various embodiments of the invention. It is clear that modifications and variations of these embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the following claims and the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (17)

(a) a case forming a hole into which the needle can be inserted and surrounding the power supply connected to the first and second electrodes spaced apart from each other by a gap disposed adjacent to the hole; (b) a charge storage circuit coupled to said power supply and said first and second electrodes; (c) accommodating needles of various sizes such that when the needle is inserted into the hole, the needle contacts the first and second electrodes such that the charge storage circuit discharges current so that at least a portion of the needle is converted to slag. A gap adjusting means for adjusting a gap between the first and second electrodes to adjust the gap; (d) A portable destruction apparatus of various sized hypodermic syringe needles, which is located in the case and has a filter which sterilizes the steam generated when the needle is destroyed by disinfecting the disinfectant. The device of claim 1, wherein the power supply includes a rechargeable battery and the charge storage means comprises a capacitor. The device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode is connected to and moved by the adjusting means, and the second electrode is a predetermined plate. 4. The portable destruction apparatus of a hypodermic syringe needle according to claim 3, further comprising a moving means for moving the plate to remove the substantial portion of the slag. (a) a case defining a first hole into which the needle can be inserted and a second hole for receiving the cartridge; (b) a filter detachably inserted into said cartridge and immersed in a sterilizing agent; (c) a battery for supplying power to the motor connected to the fan and the first electrode; (d) a first terminal connected to the battery, and ii) a second terminal connected to a second electrode sufficiently close to the first electrode, wherein the movable agent is inserted as the needle is inserted into the first hole. And a capacitor for discharging a current through said electrode through said two electrodes. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a moving means for moving said first electrode relative to said second electrode in order to discharge the current into the needle more efficiently. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said second electrode has a generally flat inclined surface and is connected to vibrating means for vibrating said second electrode. (a) a power supply connected to the energy storage device, the first electrode and the second electrode; (b) a case surrounding the power supply, the energy storage mechanism, the first and second electrodes and a waste receiving cartridge; (c) the needle and the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to each other as the needle is inserted into the needle inlet hole, and a current such that the needle can be substantially destroyed by the energy storage mechanism And a adjusting means for adjusting a distance between the first and second electrodes disposed in proximity to the needle inlet hole formed in the case so as to discharge the needle through the second electrode. 9. The needle breaking mechanism of claim 8, further comprising a filter associated with said cartridge to filter air around the case to remove steam and dust generated when the needle breaks. (a) a case defining a through hole into which the used needle is inserted for destruction of the used hypodermic syringe needle; (b) a power supply coupled to the charge storage circuit; (c) first and second electrodes, each connected to the charge storage circuit, disposed adjacent to the hole and disposed close to each other to form a gap for receiving the selected needle; (d) a charge is discharged from the charge storage circuit to the selected needle through the first and second electrodes such that at least a portion of the needle is broken as the needle is inserted into the hole, the first electrode being connected to the first electrode; Adjusting means for receiving said selected needle by moving said first electrode in proximity to said second electrode to adjust the spacing between electrodes; (e) a moving means connected to said second electrode, said moving means moving said second electrode to remove from said second electrode a substantial portion of any residue generated as the needle is at least partially destroyed. Characterized in that the device. 11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a predetermined hole in the case for receiving the filter so that the sterilizing agent and the deodorant can be removed. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising adjusting means for initially adjusting the gap between the first and second electrodes. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising control means for controlling the operation of said means for movement. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a fan powered by a motor connected to the power supply for sucking air through the opening in the case into the filter and out of the exhaust vent. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a timer for operating the motor for a predetermined period of time to ensure that air around the aperture is sucked into the case and filtered. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the power supply is a rechargeable battery. (a) a case defining a through hole into which the used needle is inserted for destruction of the used hypodermic syringe needle; (b) a rechargeable battery coupled to the capacitor; (c) an adjustable electrode and a movable electrode, each connected to the capacitor, disposed adjacent to the hole, and disposed adjacent to each other to form a gap for receiving a selected needle; (d) a discharge of charge from the capacitor to the selected needle through the movable electrode and the adjustable electrode such that at least a portion of the needle is broken as the needle is inserted into the hole, the needle being connected to the adjustable electrode; Adjusting means for receiving the selected needle by moving the adjustable electrode proximate to the movable electrode to adjust the spacing between the electrodes; (e) moving means connected to the movable electrode and reciprocating the movable electrode to remove a substantial portion of the residue generated as the needle is at least partially destroyed; (f) a filter immersed in a disinfectant and detachably inserted into the case; (g) A portable destructive device for hypodermic syringe needles of various sizes in use, characterized by having a motor connected to the battery and circulation means for circulating air around the case into the filter.