WO1995017256A1 - Appareil destine a steriliser et a detruire des seringues - Google Patents

Appareil destine a steriliser et a detruire des seringues Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1995017256A1
WO1995017256A1 PCT/US1994/013556 US9413556W WO9517256A1 WO 1995017256 A1 WO1995017256 A1 WO 1995017256A1 US 9413556 W US9413556 W US 9413556W WO 9517256 A1 WO9517256 A1 WO 9517256A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
syringe
syringe assembly
syringes
tube
heating
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1994/013556
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Richard D. Yelvington
Original Assignee
Inventive Services, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Inventive Services, Inc. filed Critical Inventive Services, Inc.
Priority to AU12937/95A priority Critical patent/AU1293795A/en
Publication of WO1995017256A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995017256A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/04—Heat
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L11/00—Methods specially adapted for refuse
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/178—Syringes
    • A61M5/31—Details
    • A61M5/32—Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body; Devices for protection of needles
    • A61M5/3205—Apparatus for removing or disposing of used needles or syringes, e.g. containers; Means for protection against accidental injuries from used needles
    • A61M5/3278—Apparatus for destroying used needles or syringes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/178—Syringes
    • A61M5/31—Details
    • A61M5/32—Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body; Devices for protection of needles
    • A61M5/3205—Apparatus for removing or disposing of used needles or syringes, e.g. containers; Means for protection against accidental injuries from used needles
    • A61M5/3278—Apparatus for destroying used needles or syringes
    • A61M2005/3282—Apparatus for destroying used needles or syringes using mechanical means, e.g. mills
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/178—Syringes
    • A61M5/31—Details
    • A61M5/32—Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body; Devices for protection of needles
    • A61M5/3205—Apparatus for removing or disposing of used needles or syringes, e.g. containers; Means for protection against accidental injuries from used needles
    • A61M5/3278—Apparatus for destroying used needles or syringes
    • A61M2005/3283—Apparatus for destroying used needles or syringes using electric current between electrodes

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to the field of sterilizing and destroying hypodermic needle syringes, the metal needle portion and the plastic barrel portion together referred to generally herein as a syringe or as syringes, so as to render them safe for disposal, and relates specifically to a self-contained apparatus which sterilizes, destroys, and compacts the entire syringe into a sterile compacted mass which can be easily and conveniently recycled or disposed of in a safe manner.
  • a sharps container merely is a plastic container into which the used syringes are placed. When the sharps container is full, a cap is placed on the container and the container is disposed of. Typically, a service picks up the full sharps containers and disposes of them either through incineration or in landfills. When destroyed in incinerators, the sharps container provides a sufficient method of disposal of the used syringes.
  • the sharps containers suffer from several disadvantages. First, the used syringes are not sterilized before being placed in the sharps container. This can lead to unintentional contact with a contaminated needle.
  • the intact syringes have a hollow barrel and thus take up significantly more space than a compacted hypodermic needle syringe.
  • the sharps containers are disposed of in a landfill, there always is the possibility that the sharps container can inadvertently open or be broken, thus exposing the contaminated needles.
  • An electrical syringe needle destroyer is disclosed in U.S. patent No. 4,628,169 to Ch'ing-Lung which comprises a pair of spaced apart electrodes within a self-contained unit.
  • the needle of the syringe is inserted into an opening in the unit until the entire length of the needle is positioned between two electrodes.
  • the electricity causes the portion of the needle between the electrodes to soften, generally resulting in a severing of the needle from the syringe body at the needle base.
  • the needle portion fells into a collection means which can be disposed of.
  • the Ch'ing-Lung device does not destroy the needle, but merely severs the needle from the syringe body.
  • the Ch'ing-Lung device does not eliminate the dangers of contamination from the end of the needle, nor the safety hazard obvious from having many loose needle heads in the unit, nor the hazard of puncture wounds from the loose needles.
  • a plastic syringe destruction device is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,860,958 to Yerman which employs a cylinder and piston comp action unit which uses a resistance heated piston to soften and thermally smash plastic syringes into a compacted mass.
  • One or more plastic syringes are placed in the cylinder and the cylinder lid is closed. The syringes then are heated to temperatures between 100°C and 200°C to bring about melting of the syringes, as well as sterilization.
  • the piston travels upwardly in the cylinder while the syringes are at temperature, thus compacting the softened or molten plastic syringes into the compacted mass.
  • the Yerman device suffers from several disadvantages, the two most important of which are that the syringes are not raised to a temperature high enough to destroy the metal needle portion of the syringe, typically only up to about 150°C, and the compacted mass typically is too large to be placed in a sharps container or other disposal container.
  • the mass must be removed by an operator and the metal needles typically protrude from the plastic mass, posing a danger to the operator.
  • the present device comprises an auto ejection system which ejects the sterilized compacted mass into a disposal area such that operator handling may be eliminated.
  • the size of the compacted mass resulting from the operation of the Yerman device is in the three inches plus diameter range and may be as thick as one to two inches.
  • the Yerman device has a chamber which is not adjustable dependent on the number of syringes to be compacted which may result in compacted masses with voids possibly containing contaminated fluids.
  • the self-adjusting ram of the present invention creates a relatively consistent pressure on the melted syringes, irrespective of number, resulting in generally void-free compacted masses.
  • the use of a direct drive system to operate the compaction ram in the present device also helps create a greater, more consistent pressure when compared to the hydraulic drive system of the Yerman device, and does not require high pressure air or flammable hydraulic fluid to operate. Additionally, the temperatures achieved by the present device causes the syringe bodies to liquefy, alleviating the void problem.
  • the Yerman heater disc heats only on one side of the chamber and relies on heat conduction through the plastic syringe bodies to melt the material on the other side of the chamber.
  • the present invention completely surrounds the syringe material with 1100°C forced air from a hot air gun heating means, resulting in heating the syringe bodies to approximately 500°C to 700°C, allowing both more efficient melting of the syringe bodies and complete sterilization of the syringe bodies and the compaction chamber walls.
  • the 1100°C air also has the effect of dehydrating the used syringes, further rendering them safer, an effect not found in the Yerman device.
  • the piston is completely withdrawn from the compaction chamber such that in the unlikely event that syringe debris travels behind the piston, upon withdrawal of the piston from the compaction chamber, the debris will fall back into the compaction chamber, and still be subjected to the sterilization air on the current or the next cycle.
  • the Yerman device has a cycle time of over half an hour, about 5 minutes to heat and about 30 minutes to cool, while the present device cycles in a total of about 90 seconds.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,877,934 to Spinello which is aimed specifically at destroying the metal needle portion of the syringe by using electrical resistance heating between electrodes.
  • the metal needle is placed in a carrier which contacts the upper portion of the metal needle closest to the syringe barrel and then carries the syringe over an upwardly sloping second electrode. As the needle point contacts the second electrode, electricity passes from the second electrode through the metal needle into the first electrode, thus causing resistance heating of the metal needle.
  • the electrical resistance heating melts and destroys the metal needle.
  • the electrical resistance heating generally only softens the metal needle such that as the metal needle contacts the upwardly sloping second electrode, the metal needle bends outward.
  • the Spinello device may heat the metal needle to a temperature high enough to sterilize it, typically the metal needle remains and poses the same health and safety hazard any other sharp instrument has. Further, the Spinello device does not destroy the syringe barrel which also may be contaminated and may contain remnants of the injectant.
  • a disposable needle and syringe destructor unit is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,969,379 to Taylor et al. which essentially is a syringe guillotine.
  • the syringe is inserted into a receiving hole a certain distance, and a spring-biased piston is hand actuated forcing a cutting member down on the syringe. The process is repeated until the entire syringe has been cut into smaller portions, which portions fall to the bottom of the container.
  • the Taylor device suffers from the disadvantage that the syringe is not sterilized and the metal needle portion, although in smaller pieces, still presents a safety hazard.
  • a needle and syringe destructor unit is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,961, 541,to Hashimoto.
  • the gears disclosed and claimed in the Hashimoto device do not completely melt the syringe fragments, but only cut the syringe into small pieces. There is no disclosure as to whether sterilization takes place. Even if sterilization does take place, the Hashimoto device does not compact the syringes, and the cut up pieces still may pose a puncture threat to the operator.
  • the present invention heats the syringe body to a temperature high enough to melt the plastic body, allowing the needle to be pushed up into the plastic of the syringe body, eliminating the puncture hazard.
  • a syringe destruction apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,076,178 to Decker.
  • the transformer called for in the Decker patent for proper operation may be as large as the entire present invention.
  • the Decker device also suffers from several other disadvantages.
  • the Decker device comprises a cutting device which has been rejected by USHRS and USOSHA standards.
  • the Decker device operates by weakening and then folding or twisting the needle, which does not eliminate the puncture hazard.
  • the treated syringe still must be disposed of in an acceptable sharps container, and cannot be disposed of in ordinary trash, like the treated syringes of the present invention.
  • the Decker device also does not have any filters or fans to prevent release of untreated gases and aerosols from the device to the ambient. More importantly, the Decker device does not achieve the sterilization of the syringe by heat, but relies on ultraviolet light which may not reach all of the contaminated surfaces of the syringes. If the Decker device acts on the needle close to the plastic syringe body, it is possible that the needle may be removed from the syringe body to the disposal box without complete sterilization. The present invention allows for the complete sterilization of the syringe prior to disposal.
  • the United States government has strict guidelines for the disposal of hazardous wastes, such as contaminated syringes. 17-712 et seq. Section 17-712.200(19) defines sharps as devices with principal characteristics capable of puncturing, lacerating, or otherwise penetrating the skin. These devices include but are not limited to needles, intact or broken glass, and intact or broken hard plastic. Further, biohazardous wastes must be transported under certain guidelines by registered biohazardous waste transporters. 17- 712.400. Currently, the cutting of hypodermic needles is a violation of the United States code as described in the Federal Register, Volume 56, Number 235, page 64176, Section (d)(2)(vii): Shearing or breaking of contaminated needles is prohibited.
  • the present invention provides an apparatus which renders a hypodermic needle syringe safe by concurrently sterilizing the syringe and compacting it into a small mass which is sterile and safe to handle and which can be disposed of in any manner, including in a conventional sharps container. Additionally, by properly scaling the invention, an entire sharps container full of used syringes can be sterilized and compacted by the apparatus of the present invention into a sterile and safe to handle mass which also can be disposed of in any manner.
  • the operator inserts the entire syringe, preferably but not necessarily deneedled, into the sterilization and comp action unit, the unit is activated, and the syringes are rapidly and completely heated to a temperature of approximately 500°C to 700°C by a high temperature hot air gun injecting forced air at a temperature of between about 1100°C and about 1250°C. At these temperatures, the syringe bodies typically liquefy. After the syringes reach temperature, a self-adjusting ram compacts the syringes into a defined mass, which then is quickly cooled and ejected.
  • the use of a hot air gun and the specific configuration of the sterilization and co p action unit allows for the rapid, efficient and thorough heating of the syringes to a temperature high enough to sterilize the syringes, evaporate all fluids such as remainder injectant or contaminated or body fluids from the syringes, and soften the syringes to a point where the syringes can easily be compacted.
  • the sequence of operation of the present invention can be summarized as follows. First, the used syringes, with or without needles, are inserted through the input port into the sterilization and compaction unit. The start button is pressed, activating the auto sequencing steps of the unit. The compactor tube, previously in an inclined position to receive the used syringes, rotates to an upright position. The exhaust fan activates and a pullout plate is moved forward to lock the compactor tube in the upright or lock down position. This step takes approximately 2 seconds. Second, the hot air gun activates, causing hot air in the 1100°C to 1250°C range to blow into the compaction tube causing the syringes to melt and dehydrate.
  • the heat of the hot air also sterilizes the syringes.
  • This step takes approximately 33 seconds.
  • the spring-loaded compaction ram activates and the ram moves down into the compactor unit and compresses the syringes into a compacted mass at the bottom of the compactor tube.
  • the ram stops in the full down position. This step takes approximately 15 seconds.
  • the compressed plastic mass is allowed to cool down and, as it cools down, it contracts.
  • the exhaust fan creates a negative pressure within the unit, pulling ambient air through the input hole and across the compacted mass. This assists in cooling down the compacted mass and prevents gases from exiting the unit except through the exhaust fan and filter assembly.
  • the filter assembly is two-staged, a particulate filter and a carbon filter, to prevent both paniculate matter and gases from being released from the unit without filtering.
  • This step takes approximately 20 seconds.
  • Fifth the pullout plate retracts, allowing the spring-loaded ram to eject the compacted plastic mass from the compactor tube.
  • the pullout plate then returns to the lock down position. This step takes approximately 3 seconds.
  • Sixth the ram cycles back to the ftdl up position. This step takes approximately 15 seconds.
  • the pullout plate retracts, unlocking the compaction tube, and the compaction tube rotates back to the inclined position to receive additional syringes.
  • the exhaust fan deactivates. This step takes approximately 2 seconds. From the pressing of the start button to the exhaust fan deactivation occurs automatically and takes approximately 90 seconds per cycle.
  • the present invention uses very high temperatures compared to the prior art.
  • the heating, melting and sterilization is achieved using a heat gun which supplies very high temperature air, typically 1100°C or higher, in high volumes to the compaction and sterilization unit to heat all parts of the syringe bodies contained in the compactor tube.
  • the air enters the compactor tube at a tangent to the center axis of the compactor tube causing a swirl effect of the air in the compactor tube.
  • This swirl action carries the hot air around the syringe bodies and inside of the compactor tube before it is drawn off of and escapes from the top of the compactor tube, and is drawn through the exhaust fan and filter assembly.
  • the outside of the compactor tube is not heated, as in the prior art, and the syringes are directly heated by the hot air, rather than resistance or conduction heating as in the prior art.
  • the heat from the hot air is therefore converted directly to the syringe bodies instead of heating the con ⁇ artor tube walls and then being radiated through the walls to the syringe bodies. This allows for more efficient heating and sterilization of the syringes, increasing safety and decreasing sterilization and compaction times.
  • any moisture contained within the syringe bodies, and in the compaction tube itsel ⁇ is removed from the syringe bodies through evaporation and by the air flow pulled through the compactor tube, and is carried away by the hot air through the exhaust fan and filter assembly.
  • Any blood or other similar fluids is dehydrated to a solid form.
  • the plastic melts and becomes softened or liquid, the blood and any other dehydrated materials attempts to rehydrate by absorbing the liquid plastic.
  • the plastic is compressed into the disc shape by the compaction ram, the cellular matter, such as blood, is exposed to high pressures, further insuring cellular death.
  • the hot air gun After heating, the hot air gun deactivates, and the temperature drops from about 1100°C to about 150°C in under 20 seconds due to the cooler air being pulled through the unit by the exhaust fan and the materials of construction. This rapid temperature decline furthers the sterilization process by causing the cellular matter to be further compressed in the shrinking, solidifying plastic. It is the combination of rapid heating, high temperature, plastic absorption, compression, and rapid cooling of the syringe bodies that ensures the death of the organisms contained in the syringe bodies, and the sterilization of the final product. Any organic matter contained in the syringes becomes saturated with plastic and destroyed.
  • the sterilization and compaction unit comprises a containment tube which can be sized to handle any number of syringes of equal or varying sizes, or an entire sharps container.
  • the ram has a spring-loaded compaction head translationally mounted in a support rod allowing for constant pressure to be applied by the ram to the syringes at a constant stroke distance, allowing for the even compaction of varying numbers of syringes. For example, if only one syringe is contained in the tube, the compaction head will compact the single syringe and be forced only slightly into the spring- containing compartment.
  • variable configuration ram allows the sterilization and destruction of variable numbers of syringes without adjusting the unit, while still resulting in comp acted masses without air cavities.
  • a slidably mounted plate serves as the bottom of the compactor tube against which the syringes are comparted.
  • the hot air gun is deactivated. During the entire sterilization and compaction process, air is drawn away from the tube to prevent internal air from escaping out of the tube into the room, to recirculate the hot air for economy, and to later cool down the compacted syringe mass. Once the hot air gun is deactivated, cooler air is pulled across the comparted syringe mass, quickly cooling it down.
  • the plate then slides away from the bottom of the tube, and the compacted syringe mass is ejected from the tube by the spring-loaded configuration of the ram. The plate then slides back to its initial position and the tube rotates to the syringe receiving position, ready to receive the next round of syringes.
  • the operation of the syringe destroying and sterilizing unit is entirely automatic.
  • the actuating switch is activated, and the sequence of operations occurs automatically.
  • Various motors, solenoids, and contacts are used so that the sequence of operation occurs. In this manner, the user can be assured that the syringes are sterilized and destroyed in a consistent manner in a "fire and forget" device.
  • a sharps container By melting and comparting the entire syringe into a compact mass, many more used syringes can be placed within the typical sharps container or approved receptacle. Rather than holding twenty fiiU size syringes, a sharps container can hold one hundred or more syringes comparted by the present invention. Therefore, the sharps container or other containment device needs to be removed less often, and there are less containment devices to be disposed of. Alternatively, because the present invention completely sterilizes and dries the used syringes, the comparted mass may be disposed of safely without the need for a sharps container. Further, the present invention may be sized to sterilize and compact an entire sharps container, making the sharps container more easily and safely disposed of.
  • the end result of using the present invention is a monetary savings because of the need for fewer containment devices, less volume waste because of the compacted nature of the syringes, and safer, sterile waste product which can be disposed of as ordinary trash. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for destroying syringes which sterilizes and comparts the syringe into a relatively small, compart mass which can be disposed of safely without further treatment.
  • ARSRESD Air Resources Services Resource and Environmental Services Division
  • a final object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for destroying syringes which is simple and efficient in operation, durable in construction, and ecologically friendly.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the syringe destroyer unit.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the syringe destroyer unit as shown in Fig. 1, partially in section, showing the internal mechanism of the unit.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the compaction unit in the loading position showing a syringe being loaded through the load tube into the compaction unit.
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view, partly in section, of the compaction unit in its compaction mode, showing the syringe being compacted.
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view, partly in section, of the compaction unit in its comparted mass ejertion mode, showing the compacted syringe mass being ejected from the compaction unit.
  • Fig. 6 is a flow diagram of the operating steps of the syringe destroyer unit.
  • Fig. 7 is a sectional side view of the compactor ram, spring assembly, and ram support.
  • Fig. 8 is a block diagram of the configuration of the major components of the present invention.
  • Fig. 9 is a sectional top view of the compaction tube and hot air inlet showing the swirl effect of the hot air in the compactor tube during injection.
  • Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the optional needle burner unit, partly in section, showing the internal mechanism of the unit.
  • Fig. 11 is a side view of the optional needle burner mechanism showing a needle being burned from the syringe body.
  • Fig. 12 is a side view of the optional needle burner mechanism showing the movement of the electrodes to burn the remaining nub of the needle.
  • syringe destroyer 10 of the present invention will be described by first describing the various components and how they are structurally related to each other and then describing the sequence of operations for destroying a syringe.
  • the present invention also can be sized to handle any number of syringes and to handle conventional plastic disposal containers such as sharps containers without sacrificing sterilization levels.
  • the syringe destroyer 10 comprises an enclosure 12 containing the components of the syringe destroyer 10 and a front plate 14 which comprises several features of the syringe destroyer 10 including the actuator switch 28 and the insertion port 22.
  • the syringe 70 is placed in the syringe destroyer 10 through insertion port 22 of insertion tube 20.
  • the syringe destroyer 10 may be insulated in strategic areas to prevent heat from escaping the enclosure 12 when the syringe destroyer 10 is artivated.
  • the syringe destroyer 10 is artivated using actuator switch 28.
  • a refuse container for receiving destroyed syringes which can be located within the enclosure 12 can be accessed by detaching front plate 14, or through an optional refuse access door 30.
  • the optional needle destroying means 200 also is located on and accessed through front plate 14.
  • Exhaust vents 162 for the exhaust fan and filter unit 160 typically are located on the top or on the top of the backside of enclosure 12.
  • the compactor unit 34 which is used to sterilize and compart the syringe, is located within the interior of the enclosure 12.
  • the con ⁇ actor unit 34 comprises compactor tube 54 mounted on a rotatable support plate 56, a support plate rotation mechanism 58 artivated by a rotation solenoid 60, and a compactor ram guide 62, all mounted onto compactor support frame 64.
  • the compactor unit 34 is artivated and rotation solenoid 60 activates rotation mechanism 58, causing support plate 56 and compactor tube 54, originally in an inclined loading position, to rotate until compactor tube 54 is in the upright destroying and sterilizing position immediately below compactor ram guide 62.
  • rotation solenoid 60 activates rotation mechanism 58, causing support plate 56 and compactor tube 54, originally in an inclined loading position, to rotate until compactor tube 54 is in the upright destroying and sterilizing position immediately below compactor ram guide 62.
  • the syringe 70 is ejected, preferably into syringe refuse container 38 which can be removed from the enclosure 12 for disposal.
  • the compactor unit 34 is shown in more detail in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, which represent the operation of the con ⁇ actor unit 34 in its various stages.
  • the syringe 70 is placed within the compactor tube 54.
  • the compactor unit 34 then is activated, starting the automatic sequence of operations which sterilize and compact the syringe 70.
  • Compactor tube 54 is a generally cylindrical tube having two open ends, a receiving end 80 for receiving the syringe 70, and a discharging end 82 for discharging the compacted sterilized syringe mass 128 from the con ⁇ actor tube 54.
  • Con ⁇ actor tube 54 is securely mounted to support plate 56 which, in turn, is rotatably connected to compactor support frame 64.
  • a rotation mechanism 58 comprising rotation solenoid 60, piston 84, and return spring 86, when artivated rotates compartor tube 54 from its inclined syringe 70 receiving position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 to its compacting and sterilizing position as shown in Fig. 4.
  • Compartor ram guide 62 is a generally cylindrical tube having a contact slot 90 axially lengthwise along at least a portion of its vertical height.
  • Compactor ram guide 62 is securely mounted onto compartor support frame 64.
  • compartor ram 92 Located within the hollow interior of compartor ram guide 62 is compartor ram 92.
  • Compartor ram 92 shown in greater detail in Fig. 7, is a generally piston-shaped three-piece component having a comparting head 94 slidably mounted within a hollow spring chamber 95 in movement arm 96.
  • Spring 97 is located within spring chamber 95 at some point between compacting head 94 and the end of spring chamber opposite compacting head 94.
  • Movement arm 96 has a typical helical screw thread on its outside surface. Comparting head 94 may be retained within movement arm 96 by conventional means such as pin 99 and slot 101.
  • the spring-loaded design of compactor ram 92 allows the compacting head 94 to exert a constant amount of pressure on the syringes 70 no matter how many syringes 70 are placed within the compartor unit 34. With only one syringe 70 in the compartor unit 34, the compacting head will not be forced very far into the spring chamber 95 due to the resistance of the spring 97 and the spring 97 will be compressed only slightly. However, when more syringes 70 are contained in the comp actor unit, the melted syringes will take up more volume, and force the comparting head 94 somewhat farther into the spring chamber 95, compressing the spring 97 even more.
  • the compressed spring 97 will exert pressure on the syringes 70, and compart the multiple syringes 70 with approximately the same pressure as with one syringe 70. In other words, the spring 97 effectively changes the stroke of the compactor ram. In this manner, approximately the same pressure will be exerted to compact the syringes, irrespective of amount, resulting in consistent compacted masses 128, and eliminates the need for sensing devices to determine the number of syringes contained in the con ⁇ actor unit 34. This is in sharp contrast to the prior art devices which have one stroke distance, resulting in different pressure exertion dependent on the number of syringes being comparted.
  • comparting head 94 and movement arm 96 are generally cylindrical components in the vertical direction with compacting head 94 having a generally flat comparting face 93 on its lower end, a horizontal diameter generally equivalent to the interior diameter of compactor tube 54, and a generally cylindrical, rod shaped journal 98 by which it is slidably mounted to movement arm 96 in the spring- loaded fashion disclosed above.
  • Movement arm 96 is a generally elongated cylinder having a structure similar to a typical threaded machine bolt. Movement arm 96 extends upward within con ⁇ actor ram guide 62 and, on its terminating end, has a contact switch lever 100 which extends from the interior of con ⁇ actor ram guide 62 through contact slot 90 into the interior of enclosure 12. As discussed in more detail below, contact switch lever 100 interacts with upper and lower contact switches 104, 106 which are mounted on switch stalk 102 which, in turn, is mounted on contactor support frame 64.
  • Compactor ram 92 is translationally mounted to compactor unit 34 such that when the compartor unit 34 is artivated, con ⁇ artor ram 92 can travel vertically downward within con ⁇ artor ram guide 62 and into the interior of con ⁇ actor tube 54, thus compacting any syringes 70 located within con ⁇ artor tube 54. Likewise, after the con ⁇ action of the syringes 70 has been completed, compartor ram 92 can travel vertically upward out of con ⁇ actor tube 54 and within compactor ram guide 62. When compactor ram 92 is in its initial position, contact switch lever 100 contacts upper switch lever 104.
  • Compactor ram 92 is translated vertically downward and upward during its compacting stroke via a system of gears operated by compactor motor 108 which is securely mounted on contactor support frame 64.
  • Compartor motor 108 rotates drive gear 110 which in turn rotates transfer gear 112 which in turn rotates translation gear 114.
  • Translation gear 114 has an axial hole therethrough through which the movement arm 96 passes.
  • the interior surface of the hole through translation gear 114 has a helical screw thread which cooperates with the helical screw thread of the outer surface of movement arm 96 such that when translation gear 114 rotates, movement arm 96, and thus con ⁇ actor ram 92, is forced to move upward or downward by the action of the cooperating helical screw threads.
  • Compartor tube 54 typically is made from aluminum, cast iron or some other heat conducting metal or material. After a syringe 70 has been inserted into con ⁇ actor tube 54, and con ⁇ actor tube 54 and support plate 56 have been rotated to the upright, comparting position, hot air gun 116 is artivated. Hot air gun 116 heats the interior of compartor tube 54 and any syringes 70 located within con ⁇ actor tube 54. The temperature of the hot air generally is 1100°C, which is high enough to soften or completely melt the material of the syringe 70, and to sterilize the syringe 70. Obviously, sterilizing the syringe barrel satisfies the health concerns addressed by the syringe destroyer 10. Further, softening or melting the syringe 70 allows the syringe 70 to be compacted more easily and into a smaller mass.
  • the hot air gun 116 heats the interior of compartor tube 54 and any syringes 70 contained within con ⁇ actor tube 54 to a temperature of approximately 1100°C or more.
  • Most syringes 70 are made out of polypropylene and polyethylene which have melting temperatures of 176°C and 137°C, respectively.
  • the melting syringe bodies achieve an internal temperature of approximately 500°C to 700°C. Therefore, at the temperatures achieved in this invention, the syringes 70 easily will be compacted and the memory of the plastic destroyed such that when the plastic is comparted, it will be thermally set and will not return to its premelting configuration. Further, heating the syringes 70 to these temperatures will provide for the sterilization of the syringes 70.
  • the hot air gun outlet 117 is connected directly to the side of compartor tube 54 near its base, allowing hot air 119 to be injected directly into the interior of the con ⁇ actor tube 54. As shown in Fig. 9, the outlet 117 is offset somewhat from the central axis of compartor tube 54 such that hot air 119 being injected to compactor tube swirls around the interior of compartor tube 54. This swirl action carries the hot air 119 around the syringes 70 and the inside of con ⁇ artor tube, allowing for more consistent and even heating of the syringes 70. Such direct convection of heat to the syringes 70 provides more efficient heating, more consistent melting and sterilization, and decreased cycle time.
  • the syringe barrel 70 is compacted into the bottom of compactor tube 54, against slidably mounted slide plate 118 located in a horizontal support component 122 of con ⁇ actor support frame 64.
  • slide plate 118 may be translated entirely out of the way of the bottom of compartor tube 54, allowing the compacted syringes 128 to be directly discharged from the compartor unit 34.
  • Shde plate 118 can be translated horizontally in the direction indicated by direction arrow 142 to translate shde plate 118 from below compartor tube 54 to allow discharge of the comparted syringes 128.
  • Shde plate 118 is translated using a conventional rack and pinion gear assembly in which the rack 130 is securely connected to the shde plate 118 and the pinion 132 is rotatably connected through a series of gears (not shown) to the shde motor 134.
  • shde motor 134 When shde motor 134 is activated, the rack 130 and pinion 132 cooperate to translate the shde plate 118 from its compacting position as shown in Fig. 4 to its discharge position as shown in Fig. 5.
  • shde plate 118 When shde plate 118 is moved to its discharge position, it contacts shde contact 136 which sets about other operations as discussed in more detail below, such as the upward stroke of con ⁇ actor ram 98.
  • shde plate 118 When shde plate 118 is in the discharge position, the bottom of con ⁇ actor tube 54 is located immediately above discharge hole (not shown) through slide plate 118, or, alternatively but preferably over the void created when shde plate 118 is translated.
  • shde plate 118 preferably is of one of two configurations.
  • the first configuration is a solid plate having discharge hole (not shown) vertically therethrough at one end of shde plate 118.
  • the shde plate 118 is located under con ⁇ actor tube 54. After con ⁇ action, shde plate 118 translates until discharge hole is located under con ⁇ actor tube 54.
  • the spring-loaded con ⁇ actor ram 92 then ejects compacted syringes 128 through discharge hole into the refuse container 38 or other disposal means, such as a sharps container.
  • the second, but preferred, configuration is a relatively shorter shde plate 118 having no discharge hole. During the compaction, the shde plate is located under compactor tube 54. After compaction, shde plate 118 translates until it is no longer located under compartor tube 54.
  • the spring-loaded con ⁇ actor ram then ejects compacted syringes 128 through the void left by translated shde plate 118 into the disposal means.
  • the air circulation means 170 is shown in greater detail and comprises air intake port 172, air duct 174, air discharge port 176 and hot air gun fan 115.
  • An optional assist fan 178 may be located at the entrance to air intake port 172.
  • hot air gun fan 115 is activated and remains activated throughout the compaction and sterilization cycle.
  • Hot air gun fan 115 draws air from the interior of enclosure 12 adjacent to the bottom of compartor tube 54 into air intake port 172, through air duct 174, and into hot air gun fan 115 via air discharge port 176. The air is then recirculated to hot air gun 116 and reintroduced to compartor tube 54.
  • Optional assist fan 178 may be located at the entrance to air intake port 172 to assist in drawing air from the interior of enclosure 12 to air circulation means 170.
  • Air circulation means 170 has a two-fold purpose.
  • the hot air 119 from hot air gun fan 115 used to melt and sterilize syringes 70 is collected from the area around the bottom of compactor tube 54, and recirculated to the con ⁇ artor tube 54, allowing for more economical operation and for lower enclosure 12 interior temperatures. Rather than constantly heating new, cooler air to inject to con ⁇ actor tube 54, quantities of already heated air are brought back up to operating temperature.
  • hot air gun fan 115 operates continuously during the compaction and sterilization cycle, even after hot air gun 116 has been deactivated after compaction. This allows cooler air to be drawn across con ⁇ artor tube 54, allowing for quicker and more efficient cooling of the compartor unit 34 in general, and the con ⁇ artor tube 54 and compacted syringes 128 in particular.
  • Exhaust fan and filter unit 160 operates continuously throughout the syringe destruction cycle. Exhaust fan and filter unit 160 draws enclosure interior air from the enclosure 12 interior, filters the enclosure interior air, and exhausts it to the atmosphere through exhaust vents 162. Any pollutants and or contaminants contained in the enclosure interior air are filtered out by any conventional filtration means, such as activated carbon or filter paper, prior to the enclosure interior air being exhausted to the atmosphere through exhaust vents 162. Exhaust fen and filter unit 160 also creates a negative pressure within enclosure 12 helping to prevent enclosure interior air from escaping to the atmosphere without first being filtered in exhaust fan and filter unit 160, and assisting in drawing cooling, atmospheric in to the enclosure 12 through inlet port 22 and across con ⁇ actor tube 54.
  • any conventional filtration means such as activated carbon or filter paper
  • Fig. 8 represents a block component diagram for the syringe destroyer 10.
  • the syringe destroyer 10 preferably is operated by 110-volt AC.
  • the optional needle destruction unit shown in Figs. 10-12 preferably is operated by a battery 148, typically a 24 volt battery or two 12 volt batteries.
  • the battery is constantly being recharged using a recharging means (not shown) which is plugged into a conventional 110- volt alternating current wall socket.
  • the various contart switches cause the operation of the various con ⁇ onents of the sjiinge destroyer 10 via relays, as discussed above.
  • the preferred motors operate at 24-volts DC, and the preferred hot air gun 116 and battery charger operate at 115-volts
  • Various other power sources can be used and are known to one skilled in the power source art.
  • currents ranging from 9 to 50 amperes at 6 or 9.6 volts are adequate inmost cases to incinerate hollow hypodermic metal needles 72 of conventional size. These amperages are generated by shorting 12-amp batteries.
  • the entire syringe destroyer unit 10 can be compart in size and self-contained and easily can be placed in an inconspicuous area within any medical office.
  • the interior of the enclosure 12 can be insulated both to prevent the heat generated by the hot air gun 116 from escaping and to dampen the sound of the operation of the unit.
  • the syringe destroyer unit 10 can be scaled up to be able to destroy an entire sharps container. The scaled up version would be a stand alone unit. 2. Sequence of Operation
  • the sequence of operation of the syringe destroyer can be summarized as follows. First, the used syringes 70, with or without needles, are inserted through the input port 22 of insertion tube 20 into the sterilization and compartion unit 34. The start button or actuator switch 28 is pressed, activating the auto sequencing steps of the unit 34. The con ⁇ artor tube 54, previously in an inclined position to receive the used syringes 70, rotates to an upright position. The exhaust fan and filter unit 160 activates and shde plate 118 is moved forward to lock the compactor tube 54 in the upright or lock down position. This step takes approximately 2 seconds.
  • the hot air gun 116 activates, causing hot air 119 in the 1100°C to 1250°C range to blow into the compartor tube 54 causing the syringes 70 to be heated to an internal temperature of approximately 500°C to 700°C and to melt and dehydrate. The heat of the hot air 119 also sterilizes the syringes 70. This step takes approximately 33 seconds.
  • the spring-loaded compaction ram 92 artivates and the ram 92 moves down into the compactor tube 54 and compresses the syringes 70 into a comparted mass 128 at the bottom of the con ⁇ artor tube 54. The ram 92 stops in the fl ⁇ l down position. This step takes approximately 15 seconds.
  • the compressed plastic mass 128 is allowed to cool down and, as it cools down, it contracts.
  • the exhaust fan and filter unit 160 creates a negative pressure within the unit, pulling ambient air through the input hole and across the compacted mass 128. This assists in cooling down the compacted mass 128 and prevents gases from exiting the unit except through the exhaust fan and filter assembly 160.
  • This step takes approximately 20 seconds.
  • the shde plate 118 retracts, allowing the spring-loaded ram 92 to eject the compacted plastic mass 128 from the con ⁇ actor tube 54.
  • the shde plate 118 then returns to the lock down position.
  • This step takes approximately 3 seconds.
  • the shde plate 118 retracts, unlocking the compactor tube 54, and the compactor tube 54 rotates back to the inclined position to receive additional syringes.
  • the exhaust fen and filter unit 160 deactivates. This step takes approximately 2 seconds. From the pressing of the start button to the exhaust fan deactivation occurs automatically and takes approximately 90 seconds per cycle.
  • syringe destroyer With reference now in particular to Figs. 3-6, the sequence of operations of the syringe destroyer will be described in connection with the structure of the invention.
  • the operator takes the used syringe 70 and places it within the con ⁇ actor unit 34 through msertion port 22.
  • the syringe 70 fells into the receiving end 80 of the con ⁇ actor tube 54.
  • the con ⁇ artor unit 34 is activated by depressing the compartor unit actuator switch 28.
  • rotation solenoid 60 is energized, moving the piston 84 of rotation mechanism 58.
  • Fig. 4 the compartion mode of the syringe destroyer 10 is shown.
  • the support plate 56 rotates to the upright position, it triggers a switch activating a timer on the hot air gun 116.
  • the timer causes the hot air gun 116 to turn on and to blow hot air at approximately 1100°C into the compactor tube 54 to heat, melt and sterilize any syringes 70 contained within the con ⁇ artor tube 54.
  • the outlet of the hot air gun is connected to the con ⁇ actor tube 54 so as to create a swirl vortex within the tube 54, allowing for thorough and even heating of all of the syringes 70 contained in the tube 54.
  • a bi-metalhc element or some other heat sensitive switch or thermocouple is artivated, activating the compartor motor 108.
  • drive gear 110 rotates transfer gear 112 which in turn rotates transfer gear 114 in a direction causing the compactor ram 92 to translate in a downward direction via the cooperating screw threads located on the outer surface of movement arm 96 and the inner surface of the hole through translation gear 114.
  • compartor ram 92 translates downward into compartor tube 54, it comes into contact with the heated, and now either softened or molten, syringes 70.
  • Compartor ram 92 is translated down the entire vertical length of compartor tube 54, comparting the syringes 70 against the shde plate 118 into a small, compact mass 128, having a constant diameter based on the tube 54 diameter, and a thickness dependent on the number of syringes 70 compacted.
  • contact switch lever 100 contacts lower switch lever 106, thus activating shde motor 134.
  • shde motor 134 rotates pinion 132 which in turn causes rack 130 to translate away from compartor tube 54, thus pulling shde plate 118 away from compartor tube 54 in the direction 142.
  • Shde motor 134 causes shde plate 118 to translate until it is no longer beneath compartor tube 54, and spring-loaded comparting head 94 is able to eject comparted mass 128 downward into either refuse container 38 or the sharps container 144.
  • shde motor 134 causes shde plate 118 to translate until discharge hole 126 is located immediately below the bottom of compartor tube 54.
  • spring-loaded compactor ram 94 is able to eject compacted mass 128 downward through the bottom of compartor tube 54, through discharge hole 126 and into either refuse container 38 or the sharps container 144.
  • the compactor motor 108 is activated in the reverse direction, thus causing the compactor ram 92 to translate upwardly until it is contained entirely within the compactor ram guide 62.
  • contart switch lever 100 contacts upper switch lever 104, which deactivates compactor motor 108, deactuates rotation solenoid 60, and reactivates shde motor 134.
  • return spring 86 forces support plate 56 to rotate back to the initial, loading position.
  • Shde motor 134 is artivated in the reverse direction of 142, thus forcing shde plate 118 in the reverse direction until it again is located below the bottom of compartor tube 54. At this point, the syringe destroyer 10 is in its starting position ready for destroying another syringe 70.
  • the syringe refuse container 38 When the syringe refuse container 38, or the sharps container 144, is full of destroyed syringes, it can be removed from the enclosure 12 through the refuse access door 30.
  • a pull handle 66 may be provided to facilitate removal of refuse container 38.
  • the destroyed syringes then can be disposed of in a correct manner, or, if a sharps container 144 is used, the sharps container 144 can be sealed and disposed of properly.
  • Spring chamber 95 also may have a means for lubricating the portions of compactor ram located in spring chamber 95, specifically journal 98.
  • a lubricant pad such as a lubricating oil soaked leather wafer, can be attached to the top interior surface of spring chamber 95 to provide continuous lubrication to the interior of spring chamber 95. This lubricant ensures the smooth functioning of compactor ram 92.
  • lubricant exits spring chamber 95 and lubricates the interior wall surface of compartor tube 54, allowing smoother operation of compactor ram 92 within compartor tube 54, preventing compacted syringes 128 from sticking to the interior wall surface of compartor tube 54, and easing ejertion of compacted syringes 128 from con ⁇ artor tube 54.
  • the advantages of having such a syringe destroyer apparatus are numerous.
  • the syringe destroyer also has various safety features. Once the unit is activated and the con ⁇ artor tube is in its upright position, the syringe destroyer will test itself to ensure that the compartor tube is in the comparting position, and that the hot air gun is operating. Additionally, the syringe destroyer can have a timer which will allow the unit to cool down for approximately one minute, thus allowing the compacted syringe mass to cool down before being deposited into the syringe refuse container of sharps container. Also, due to the shape of the compartor tube and the compacting head, any needles will now be encapsulated inside the comparted syringe plastic and should not pose a health hazard.
  • the syringe destroyer unit is equipped with various interlocks such as a thermostat, so unless the syringe has been heated to a certain temperature and held there for a certain length of time, the unit will turn itself off and will not operate. This will guarantee sterility in the unit. Also, the unit may be completely painted inside with an anti-bacterial coating. Additionally, ah points of access from the ambient to the interior of the syringe destroyer will be lined with thermal resistant material, minimizing the escape of heat from the unit to the ambient. Likewise, the units may be shielded against radio frequency interruption so that the unit will not be a problem around sensitive equipment in the medical setting. The use of heat as the sterilization source, rather than chemicals, creates a more environmentally friendly unit and eliminates the risk of handling hazardous chemicals.
  • the present invention was tested for to determine the efficacy of the device as an alternative treatment system for biomedical waste. To show this, Bacillus subtihs spores were seeded into test loads and subsequently, the final treated load was cultured to establish a log 6 kill of the challenge organism. The procedure for this efficacy protocol test was:
  • Bacillus subtihs spore strips (AMSCO Medical Lot #GL 112C - Expiry May 1994) were used as the challenge spores. Purity was certified by culture and biochemical characterization in the testing lab.
  • Test loads were prepared by placing a spore strips (log 6 Concentration) into the barrel of an empty 3cc syringe. The seeded 3cc syringe was then added to a lcc syringe to complete the test load (approximate weight of each test load was 5.7 grams). A total of 4 test loads were prepared.
  • the needles were aseptically collected and placed in 10 ML fluid thioglycollate media (FTM) and incubated at 35°C for 72 hours. A total of two syringe needles were inoculated, burned ofi ⁇ and placed in FTM. 4.
  • FTM fluid thioglycollate media
  • Bacillus subtilhs spores Bacillus subtilhs spores, three tryptic soy agar plates with 5% sheep blood were placed directly one inch above the charcoal exhaust filter to establish if there was bioaerosol release of the seeded Bacillus subtihs spores.
  • the loads were cycled through the present invention (approximately 90- 120 seconds) and three of the syringe discs (the melted and comparted syringes) were collected and placed into 50ML fluid thioglycollate broth; and incubated overnight at 35°C.
  • One of the four discs was aseptically cut in half The middle of this disc was cultured in similar fashion for recovery of Bacillus subtillis organisms. The results of these tests were: 1. There was no recovery of organisms on the bioaerosol plates which had been placed above the exhaust filter.
  • the submitted discs were treated by the present invention using a combination of pressure and 1100°C heat to burn off needles and melt plastics into small discs. The treated discs were then compacted and allowed to cool.
  • the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Upon review of the discs by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection found that the sample of the melted disc did not show any evidence of needle protrusion. In fact, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection determined that the needles encapsulated in the hardened plastic disc could be equated to a sharps container. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection further found that the treated end product was unrecognizable, and the health risk associated with the handling and disposal of the treated end product is minimal. Upon this finding by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the present invention was accepted as an approved method for treatment and disposal of sharps in Florida.
  • An optional needle burning unit can be included with the present invention.
  • This type of needle burning unit is disclosed in this inventor's copending patent apphcaton Serial No. 08/075,670, filed on June 11, 1993, entitled Apparatus for Destroying Syringe- Type Needles, and is described below.
  • the needle 17 Prior to inserting the syringe 70 into the compartor unit 34, the needle 17 may be burned off using the needle burning unit 200.
  • Using the needle burning unit 200 increases the safety of the present invention by incinerating the needle 17 prior to con ⁇ action and sterilization.
  • the needle burning unit 200 may be located with enclosure 12 and accessed through front plate 14 as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the optional needle destroying means 200 comprises two overlapping disc electrodes 204 preferably comprised of high grade carbon.
  • the electrodes 204 may be comprised of any suitable electrode material; however, high grade carbon provides the preferred electrical conduction level and has a satisfactory lifetime.
  • the electrodes 204 are generahy disc-like in structure, having an upper surface 220, a lower surface 222, a circumferential surface or edge 224, and a central, axial hole 226.
  • the upper surface 220a of upper or proximal electrode 204a is generahy flat and horizontal, and lower surface 222a of upper or proximal electrode 204a generahy tapers upward towards upper surface 220a in the direction from the center of the proximal electrode 204a out to the circumferential surface 224a of proximal electrode 204a.
  • the upper surface 220b of lower or distal electrode 204b tapers downward toward the lower surface 222a of distal electrode 204a in the direction from the center of the distal electrode 204b out to the circumferential surface 224b of distal electrode 204b.
  • Each of the electrodes 204 are rotationally and shdably mounted horizontally on vertical standoffs or shafts 207, each electrode 204 being able to shde upwardly or downwardly on its respective shaft 207.
  • the upper surface 220b of the lower electrode 204b tapers in a downward direction from the center to the circumferential surface 224b of the electrode 204b
  • the lower surface 222a of proximal electrode 204a tapers in an upward direction from the center to the circumferential surface 224a of proximal electrode 204a
  • the lower surface 204b of distal electrode 204b is horizontal.
  • Shafts 207 are journaled at their upper ends in a first support structure 201, and at then lower ends in a second support structure 218.
  • First support structure 201 is a generahy rectangular cubic structure.
  • Second support structure 218 also is a generahy rectangular cubic structure and located directly below first ceramic support structure 201.
  • Copper pads 211 are mounted on second support structure 218.
  • Shafts 207 extend downwardly from first support structure 201 and terminate abutting copper pads
  • proximal electrode 204a mounted on shaft 207a which abuts copper pad 21 la is electrically insulated from distal electrode 204b which is mounted on shaft 207b, which abuts copper pad 201 lb.
  • Hehcal compression springs 214 are mounted on shafts 207 such that shafts 207 pass through the center of the helix of hehcal compression springs 214.
  • Spring 214a is mounted on shaft 207a below proximal electrode 204a.
  • Compression spring 204b is mounted on shaft 207b above distal electrode 204b such that it is located between first support structure 201 and distal electrode 204b. In this manner, proximal electrode 204a is maintained in a position generahy abutting first support structure 201 by compression spring 204a.
  • compression spring 214a forces proximal elertrode 204a upwardly against first support structure 201 and second compression spring 214b forces distal elertrode 204b downwardly, thus creating a gap of up to one-half inch (1/2"), and preferably between approximately one-eighth of an inch and three- sixteenths of an inch (l/8"-3/16"), between the lower surface of proximal electrode 204a and the upper surface of distal electrode 204b.
  • Needle access opening 216 is located generahy above this overlap. Opening 216 extends through the top wall of face plate 14 and is generahy circular in shape, and has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the typical hypodermic syringe.
  • Opening 216 is positioned above the overlap of the electrodes 204 such that when the hypodermic syringe is inserted into the opening 216, the shaft of the needle of the hypodermic syringe abuts the circumferential surface of proximal elertrode 204a and the tip of the needle 17 contacts the upper surface of distal electrode 204b.
  • Stop 205a prevents proximal electrode 204a from moving downwardly more than a set distance along shaft 207a.
  • stop 205b prevents distal elertrode 204b from moving more than a set distance upwardly along shaft 207b.
  • Stops 205 also may include switches such that when proximal elertrode 204a contacts stop 205a, power through the circuit is interrupted. Such switches are known in the art. Stops 205 also nudge the electrodes 204 when contacted, thus assisting in rotating electrodes 204 during each use. By rotating the electrodes 204, the electrodes will last longer.
  • a used syringe 70 is inserted, needle 17 first, into opening 216.
  • the shaft of needle 17 contacts proximal elertrode 204a and, as the needle 17 is inserted further into the unit 200, the tip of needle 17 contacts distal electrode 204b, completing the electrical circuit.
  • needle 17 is heated by electrical resistance heating sufficient to incinerate the needle 17 and to sterilize any needle ash or melted needle portions falling from the incinerating needle 17.
  • the syringe 70 is continuously inserted further into the unit 200, thus allowing continuous incineration of the needle 17.
  • the needle 17 is attached to the syringe 70 typically is a nub portion 17a.
  • proximal elertrode 204a and distal elertrode 204b are separated by a set distance of up to one-half inch (1/2"), and preferably approximately one-eighth to three- sixteenths of an inch (1/8" - 3/16" ), this length of needle 17 will remain when nub 17a contacts proximal elertrode 204a.
  • proximal electrode 204a is shdably mounted on shaft 207a and held in its upward position by compression spring 214a, when nub 17a contacts proximal electrode 204a, further downward pressure on the syringe 70 by the operator will cause proximal electrode 204a to shde downwardly on shaft 207a, compressing compression spring 214a. In this manner, proximal elertrode 204a is forced downward and, therefore, closer to distal elertrode 204b, thus shortening the gap between proximal elertrode 204a and distal electrode 204b and allowing the incineration of the majority of the portion remaining of needle 17. Stop 205 a prevents proximal elertrode 204a from significant contart with distal elertrode 204b so that neither electrode 204 is damaged by any such contart.
  • a scaled-up version of the apparatus for the destrurtion of syringes is capable of melting not only the sharps but their container as well, thus eliminating the need for the sharps containers to be transported in an unsterile condition to the incinerators.
  • Said sharps containers typicahy are brought to the apparatus for the destrurtion of syringes on a muht-tiered cart. Each tier holds ten or more sharps containers.
  • the apparatus for the destruction of syringes may have two or more sets of extended arms that lift up the sharps containers off of the cart and feed them one, or possibly more than one, at a time into the apparatus for the destruction of syringes. This is done through automation controls, reducing the risk to workers ehminating their handling of the sharps containers.
  • an apparatus for the destrurtion of syringes vaporizes and/or sterilizes the metal needle portion of a hypodermic needle syringe and sterilizes and compacts the syringe barrel portion of the hypodermic needle syringe, thus rendering the entire hypodermic needle syringe safe to handle and to dispose.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

Abstract

Appareil destiné à détruire ou à rendre inoffensifs des ensembles seringue à aiguille hypodermique dotés d'une aiguille en métal et d'un corps en plastique, qui comporte un dispositif (12) pouvant contenir au moins un corps (70) de seringue, un dispositif (116) destiné à chauffer le corps (70) de seringue à une température suffisante pour stériliser et ramollir le corps (70) de seringue, et un dispositif (34) destiné à comprimer le corps (70) de seringue en une masse compacte.
PCT/US1994/013556 1993-12-23 1994-11-22 Appareil destine a steriliser et a detruire des seringues WO1995017256A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU12937/95A AU1293795A (en) 1993-12-23 1994-11-22 Apparatus for destroying and sterilizing syringes

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17396693A 1993-12-23 1993-12-23
US08/173,966 1993-12-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1995017256A1 true WO1995017256A1 (fr) 1995-06-29

Family

ID=22634262

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1994/013556 WO1995017256A1 (fr) 1993-12-23 1994-11-22 Appareil destine a steriliser et a detruire des seringues

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1293795A (fr)
WO (1) WO1995017256A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007011328A1 (fr) * 2005-07-14 2007-01-25 Jackson Kenneth A Procédé d’inhibition d’aiguille hypodermique après utilisation
WO2017013411A1 (fr) * 2015-07-17 2017-01-26 Medescia Limited Dispositif et procédé d'encapsulation d'aiguille à l'aide d'un capuchon en plastique d'aiguille correspondante
KR20200093421A (ko) * 2019-01-28 2020-08-05 홍기근 자동 주사바늘 분리수거 장치
KR20200093294A (ko) * 2019-01-28 2020-08-05 홍기근 자동 주사바늘 분리수거 장치
CN112156282A (zh) * 2020-10-15 2021-01-01 南华大学 一次性注射器快速毁形机及其应用方法

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3988088A (en) * 1975-12-04 1976-10-26 United Technologies Corporation Press for particulate material
US4628169A (en) * 1983-11-16 1986-12-09 Ch Ing Lung Hsieh Mini electrical syringe needle destroyer
US4860958A (en) * 1988-05-27 1989-08-29 Yerman Emil A Plastic syringe destruction device
US4894207A (en) * 1986-10-03 1990-01-16 Archer Aire Industries, Inc. Recirculating high velocity hot air sterilizing device
US5106594A (en) * 1990-03-30 1992-04-21 Stericycle, Inc. Apparatus for processing medical waste
US5300752A (en) * 1993-05-07 1994-04-05 Donald Elmerick Needle disintegration device method and apparatus

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3988088A (en) * 1975-12-04 1976-10-26 United Technologies Corporation Press for particulate material
US4628169A (en) * 1983-11-16 1986-12-09 Ch Ing Lung Hsieh Mini electrical syringe needle destroyer
US4894207A (en) * 1986-10-03 1990-01-16 Archer Aire Industries, Inc. Recirculating high velocity hot air sterilizing device
US4860958A (en) * 1988-05-27 1989-08-29 Yerman Emil A Plastic syringe destruction device
US5106594A (en) * 1990-03-30 1992-04-21 Stericycle, Inc. Apparatus for processing medical waste
US5300752A (en) * 1993-05-07 1994-04-05 Donald Elmerick Needle disintegration device method and apparatus

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007011328A1 (fr) * 2005-07-14 2007-01-25 Jackson Kenneth A Procédé d’inhibition d’aiguille hypodermique après utilisation
WO2017013411A1 (fr) * 2015-07-17 2017-01-26 Medescia Limited Dispositif et procédé d'encapsulation d'aiguille à l'aide d'un capuchon en plastique d'aiguille correspondante
KR20200093421A (ko) * 2019-01-28 2020-08-05 홍기근 자동 주사바늘 분리수거 장치
KR20200093294A (ko) * 2019-01-28 2020-08-05 홍기근 자동 주사바늘 분리수거 장치
KR102297482B1 (ko) * 2019-01-28 2021-09-01 홍기근 자동 주사바늘 분리수거 장치
KR102297481B1 (ko) * 2019-01-28 2021-09-02 홍기근 자동 주사바늘 분리수거 장치
CN112156282A (zh) * 2020-10-15 2021-01-01 南华大学 一次性注射器快速毁形机及其应用方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1293795A (en) 1995-07-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5468928A (en) Portable apparatus for destroying syringe-type needles
EP0454122B1 (fr) Procédé et appareil pour le traitement des déchets médicaux
US5076178A (en) Syringe needle destruction method and apparatus
AU732684B2 (en) Apparatus and method for disposal of infectious and medical waste
US11607503B2 (en) Hypodermic needle destruction
US5336862A (en) Apparatus for destroying syringe-type needles by electrical current
KR102134243B1 (ko) 의료폐기물 밀봉 배출장치
US4905916A (en) Syringe disposal apparatus and method
KR100792598B1 (ko) 주사 바늘을 자동으로 빼는 수단이 제공된 날카롭고뾰족한 도구를 처리하는 장치
US5277868A (en) Syringe destruction device
EP0597063B1 (fr) Procede et appareil de destruction electrique d'une seringue hypodermique
WO1995017256A1 (fr) Appareil destine a steriliser et a detruire des seringues
US20130334175A1 (en) Needle disabling device
US6580047B1 (en) Apparatus for destroying syringe-type needles by electrical current
US5866086A (en) Device for destruction and encapsulation of syringes
JPH0410843Y2 (fr)
CA2061839C (fr) Methode et appareil pour detruire l'aiguille d'une seringue

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AM AT AU BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CZ DE DK ES FI GB GE HU JP KE KG KP KR KZ LK LT LU LV MD MG MN MW NL NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SI SK TJ TT UA UZ VN

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): KE MW SD SZ AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642