WO2012049515A1 - Container for disposal of a syringe needle - Google Patents

Container for disposal of a syringe needle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012049515A1
WO2012049515A1 PCT/GB2011/051993 GB2011051993W WO2012049515A1 WO 2012049515 A1 WO2012049515 A1 WO 2012049515A1 GB 2011051993 W GB2011051993 W GB 2011051993W WO 2012049515 A1 WO2012049515 A1 WO 2012049515A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
needle
portions
hub
aperture
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2011/051993
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Andrew James Preston
Original Assignee
Exchange Supplies Limited
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 Exchange Supplies Limited filed Critical Exchange Supplies Limited
Publication of WO2012049515A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012049515A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a container for disposing of syringe needles, in particular needles of the type mounted on a hub removeably attached to a syringe body.
  • 'sharps containers are provided for this purpose. These may for example receive syringes through a one-way opening, such that the used syringes may not be removed or fall out and cause a hazard.
  • a problem with such containers is that they are large, and may not be convenient for use outside of a medical environment, for example by those who need to administer intravenous medication at home, or by recreational drug users. There is therefore a problem with used needles being disposed of in an unsafe manner.
  • a type of syringe commonly used by such users comprises a barrel for containing injecting fluid, having a projection comprising a fluid delivery channel which is connected to a needle assembly.
  • the needle assembly comprises a needle mounted in a hub, and the hub is attached to the projection, usually by a push fit or snap fit, such that the needle communicates with the fluid delivery channel.
  • This type of syringe is designed for single use, with the entire syringe body and needle assembly being disposable. Whilst it is possible to separate the needle assembly from the syringe body, this is difficult to do manually particularly because of the presence of the needle.
  • Our co-pending application no 0916909.5 discloses a container for the disposal of used syringe needles, the container having a plurality of openings around the circumference each for receiving a needle assembly.
  • the needle hub is held in place by formations adjacent the opening, so that the syringe body may be manipulated to snap it off leaving the needle assembly safely contained inside the container.
  • Such a container is small and portable.
  • injection needles are sometimes supplied to users in a so-called One hit kit', in which a single syringe and other paraphernalia necessary for a single injection is supplied in a single package, which is intended to be as complete as possible for providing a safe injection.
  • kits may be dispensed to intravenous drug users, who may not have access to a safe method of disposing of the needle from the kit. Therefore there is a need for a relatively small and inexpensive container suitable for accepting a single used needle for disposal, which can for example be supplied in a disposable one hit kit.
  • a container for the disposal of a needle assembly of the type comprising a needle mounted in a needle hub, the container comprising first and second housing portions relatively movable from an open position to a closed position: which portions in the closed position together define a housing having a substantially enclosed interior space for containing the needle assembly, with an aperture for accommodating a syringe body when connected to the needle assembly and projecting outside the container, and a hub engaging part in the space arranged to retain the hub in the space adjacent the aperture, so as to allow the syringe body to be detached from the needle assembly; and which portions in the open position expose the interior space such that a needle assembly may be placed into the space; the container comprising securing members arranged to lock the housing portions together in the closed position, and to be substantially inaccessible for unlocking from outside the closed container.
  • the container may be supplied in the open position ready for the user to insert the used needle assembly of the syringe.
  • the user then closes the two portions of the container, such that they are secured together with the needle hub retained in place adjacent the aperture within the container, and the syringe body projecting from the container through the aperture.
  • the user may then manipulate the syringe body to snap it off or unscrew it.
  • the container may then be disposed of with the needle assembly safely contained inside. Once closed the container is locked and cannot readily be opened. This helps to prevent reuse of a needle and facilitates safe disposal thereof.
  • the securing members may comprise cooperating engagement formations, such as latching elements, provided on each housing portion respectively.
  • the two portions may be hinged together along a first edge, and the latching elements may be provided adjacent the aperture, which is conveniently positioned at a second edge opposite the first edge.
  • the latching elements may comprise one or more resilient hooks provided on one of the components, and corresponding shaped apertures having detent members therein provided on the other element, such that each hook rides over the detent and is retained within an aperture.
  • the apertures may be relatively small, for example sized closely to receive the hook, and it is therefore difficult to access the securing members for unlocking the portions from the outside of the closed container.
  • the container may conveniently be tapering in shape, being narrower at the hinged edge, where the distal end of the needle is housed, and wider at the latch edge, having the aperture for the syringe body.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to one embodiment of the invention, in the open position;
  • Figure 2 is a top view of the container of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is an end view of the container of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with a needle assembly placed in the container;
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with the
  • a container 2 comprises first and second portions 4, 6 which are joined along a first edge 8 of each portion by a hinge 10.
  • the portions 4, 6 are substantially similar shape, each having a base 12 surrounded by an upstanding outer wall 14 to form a space 15 for receiving a used needle assembly, which comprises a needle 17 and a needle hub 19 (see Figure 4).
  • the hinge 10 may be formed of the same material as the container 2, which may be a plastics material.
  • Each base 12 is of a tapering shape, being narrower at the first edge 8 and widening towards an opposite second edge 16.
  • the outer wall 14 includes a first recess 18 which is semi-circular in shape and sized to fit closely around a syringe body (not shown) when it is attached to the needle assembly with the needle inside the space.
  • An inner wall 20 also extends across the width of the second edge 16 adjacent and just inside of the outer wall 14, which has a second semi-circular recess 22 aligned with the first recess 18.
  • an indent 23 sized to receive a flange 21 of the needle hub 19.
  • the inner wall 20 also extends inwardly of the container from the second recess 22, in a direction towards the hinged edge 8, to form a semi- cylindrical cradle 24 sized to fit closely around a needle hub.
  • the cradle may have hollow portions 26 depending on manufacturing requirements.
  • the first and second portions 4,6 differ in that the first portion 4 includes a pair of hooks 28 which extend perpendicularly away from the base 12 adjacent the second edge 16, projecting above the outer wall 14 and terminating in hook ends 29 extending substantially parallel to the base 12.
  • the hooks 28 are arranged on either side of the indent 23.
  • the second portion 6 has a pair of corresponding apertures 30 formed on either side of the indent 23 between the inner and outer walls 16, 14.
  • the apertures 30 each include a ramped ridge 32 extending from the inner wall 16 of the apertures, for retaining the hooks 28 within the apertures 30 when the container is closed.
  • the container is provided for use in the open position.
  • a user may place a used syringe into either the first or second portion 4, 6.
  • the needle assembly of the syringe is placed into the first portion 4 with the needle projecting into the space, and the needle hub resting in the cradle 24.
  • the flange of the needle hub is fitted within the indent, and the syringe body sits in the first recess 18 projecting outside the first portion 4 of the container.
  • This position is shown in Figure 4.
  • the user then closes the container by pivoting the second portion about the hinge 10 to approach the first portion 4. It can be seen that when the container is fully closed the outer walls 14 meet to enclose the space 15, with the first recesses 18 forming an aperture for the syringe body.
  • the indents 23 and the cradles 24 also meet to surround the needle hub and flange, such that the needle hub is secured by the cradle 42 in a position with the needle extending towards the hinged edge 8, and is retained inside the container adjacent the aperture with the outer walls 14 adjacent the recesses 18 abutting against the flange 21.
  • the hooks 28 enter the respective apertures 30.
  • the hook ends 29 ride over the ridges 32 and locate past the ridges 32 in the manner of a latch, securing the container closed. It can be seen that the hook ends 29 are housed within the apertures below the level of the base 12 such that they may not easily be accessed, and thus the container may not easily be opened manually once closed.
  • the container may be supplied in a kit together with other items for providing a single injection, such as a syringe, a filter, a spoon, a wipe, and citric acid. This provides a complete kit for a safe single injection, with safe disposal of the needle after use.

Abstract

A container (2) for a used syringe needle comprises first and second housing portions (4,6) which, when open, allow the user to insert a needle assembly attached to a syringe body and, when closed, surround the needle assembly with the syringe body projecting, such that the user may manipulate the syringe body to snap it off. The container is locked in the closed position for safe disposal of the used needle. The container is suitable for providing as part of a 'one-hit kit' for ensuring safe disposal of the injecting needle.

Description

Container for Disposal of a Syringe Needle
This invention relates to a container for disposing of syringe needles, in particular needles of the type mounted on a hub removeably attached to a syringe body.
There is a need for safe disposal of used syringes, and devices known as 'sharps containers' are provided for this purpose. These may for example receive syringes through a one-way opening, such that the used syringes may not be removed or fall out and cause a hazard. A problem with such containers is that they are large, and may not be convenient for use outside of a medical environment, for example by those who need to administer intravenous medication at home, or by recreational drug users. There is therefore a problem with used needles being disposed of in an unsafe manner.
A type of syringe commonly used by such users comprises a barrel for containing injecting fluid, having a projection comprising a fluid delivery channel which is connected to a needle assembly. The needle assembly comprises a needle mounted in a hub, and the hub is attached to the projection, usually by a push fit or snap fit, such that the needle communicates with the fluid delivery channel. This type of syringe is designed for single use, with the entire syringe body and needle assembly being disposable. Whilst it is possible to separate the needle assembly from the syringe body, this is difficult to do manually particularly because of the presence of the needle.
Our co-pending application no 0916909.5 discloses a container for the disposal of used syringe needles, the container having a plurality of openings around the circumference each for receiving a needle assembly. When a syringe needle is inserted through an opening, the needle hub is held in place by formations adjacent the opening, so that the syringe body may be manipulated to snap it off leaving the needle assembly safely contained inside the container. Such a container is small and portable.
However, injection needles are sometimes supplied to users in a so-called One hit kit', in which a single syringe and other paraphernalia necessary for a single injection is supplied in a single package, which is intended to be as complete as possible for providing a safe injection. Such kits may be dispensed to intravenous drug users, who may not have access to a safe method of disposing of the needle from the kit. Therefore there is a need for a relatively small and inexpensive container suitable for accepting a single used needle for disposal, which can for example be supplied in a disposable one hit kit.
According to the present invention, there is provided a container for the disposal of a needle assembly of the type comprising a needle mounted in a needle hub, the container comprising first and second housing portions relatively movable from an open position to a closed position: which portions in the closed position together define a housing having a substantially enclosed interior space for containing the needle assembly, with an aperture for accommodating a syringe body when connected to the needle assembly and projecting outside the container, and a hub engaging part in the space arranged to retain the hub in the space adjacent the aperture, so as to allow the syringe body to be detached from the needle assembly; and which portions in the open position expose the interior space such that a needle assembly may be placed into the space; the container comprising securing members arranged to lock the housing portions together in the closed position, and to be substantially inaccessible for unlocking from outside the closed container.
Thus the container may be supplied in the open position ready for the user to insert the used needle assembly of the syringe. The user then closes the two portions of the container, such that they are secured together with the needle hub retained in place adjacent the aperture within the container, and the syringe body projecting from the container through the aperture. The user may then manipulate the syringe body to snap it off or unscrew it. The container may then be disposed of with the needle assembly safely contained inside. Once closed the container is locked and cannot readily be opened. This helps to prevent reuse of a needle and facilitates safe disposal thereof.
The securing members may comprise cooperating engagement formations, such as latching elements, provided on each housing portion respectively. The two portions may be hinged together along a first edge, and the latching elements may be provided adjacent the aperture, which is conveniently positioned at a second edge opposite the first edge. For example, the latching elements may comprise one or more resilient hooks provided on one of the components, and corresponding shaped apertures having detent members therein provided on the other element, such that each hook rides over the detent and is retained within an aperture. The apertures may be relatively small, for example sized closely to receive the hook, and it is therefore difficult to access the securing members for unlocking the portions from the outside of the closed container.
The container may conveniently be tapering in shape, being narrower at the hinged edge, where the distal end of the needle is housed, and wider at the latch edge, having the aperture for the syringe body.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the drawings, in which;
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to one embodiment of the invention, in the open position;
Figure 2 is a top view of the container of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an end view of the container of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with a needle assembly placed in the container; and
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with the
components moved towards the closed position.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a container 2 comprises first and second portions 4, 6 which are joined along a first edge 8 of each portion by a hinge 10. The portions 4, 6 are substantially similar shape, each having a base 12 surrounded by an upstanding outer wall 14 to form a space 15 for receiving a used needle assembly, which comprises a needle 17 and a needle hub 19 (see Figure 4). Conveniently, the hinge 10 may be formed of the same material as the container 2, which may be a plastics material.
Each base 12 is of a tapering shape, being narrower at the first edge 8 and widening towards an opposite second edge 16. At the second edge 16, the outer wall 14 includes a first recess 18 which is semi-circular in shape and sized to fit closely around a syringe body (not shown) when it is attached to the needle assembly with the needle inside the space. An inner wall 20 also extends across the width of the second edge 16 adjacent and just inside of the outer wall 14, which has a second semi-circular recess 22 aligned with the first recess 18. Between the outer wall 14 and the inner wall 20 adjacent the recesses 18,22 is defined an indent 23 sized to receive a flange 21 of the needle hub 19. The inner wall 20 also extends inwardly of the container from the second recess 22, in a direction towards the hinged edge 8, to form a semi- cylindrical cradle 24 sized to fit closely around a needle hub. The cradle may have hollow portions 26 depending on manufacturing requirements.
The first and second portions 4,6 differ in that the first portion 4 includes a pair of hooks 28 which extend perpendicularly away from the base 12 adjacent the second edge 16, projecting above the outer wall 14 and terminating in hook ends 29 extending substantially parallel to the base 12. The hooks 28 are arranged on either side of the indent 23. The second portion 6 has a pair of corresponding apertures 30 formed on either side of the indent 23 between the inner and outer walls 16, 14. The apertures 30 each include a ramped ridge 32 extending from the inner wall 16 of the apertures, for retaining the hooks 28 within the apertures 30 when the container is closed.
The container is provided for use in the open position. A user may place a used syringe into either the first or second portion 4, 6. In this example the needle assembly of the syringe is placed into the first portion 4 with the needle projecting into the space, and the needle hub resting in the cradle 24. The flange of the needle hub is fitted within the indent, and the syringe body sits in the first recess 18 projecting outside the first portion 4 of the container. This position is shown in Figure 4. The user then closes the container by pivoting the second portion about the hinge 10 to approach the first portion 4. It can be seen that when the container is fully closed the outer walls 14 meet to enclose the space 15, with the first recesses 18 forming an aperture for the syringe body. The indents 23 and the cradles 24 also meet to surround the needle hub and flange, such that the needle hub is secured by the cradle 42 in a position with the needle extending towards the hinged edge 8, and is retained inside the container adjacent the aperture with the outer walls 14 adjacent the recesses 18 abutting against the flange 21.
At the same time as the container is closed, the hooks 28 enter the respective apertures 30. The hook ends 29 ride over the ridges 32 and locate past the ridges 32 in the manner of a latch, securing the container closed. It can be seen that the hook ends 29 are housed within the apertures below the level of the base 12 such that they may not easily be accessed, and thus the container may not easily be opened manually once closed.
In this position, the user may manipulate the syringe body, whilst holding the container, to snap the needle assembly off the body. The container may then by disposed of with the used needle safely contained inside. The container may be supplied in a kit together with other items for providing a single injection, such as a syringe, a filter, a spoon, a wipe, and citric acid. This provides a complete kit for a safe single injection, with safe disposal of the needle after use.

Claims

Claims
1. A container for the disposal of a needle assembly of the type comprising a needle mounted in a needle hub, the container comprising first and second housing portions relatively movable from an open position to a closed position:
which portions in the closed position together define a housing having a substantially enclosed interior space for containing the needle assembly, with an aperture for accommodating a syringe body when connected to the needle assembly and projecting outside the container, and a hub engaging part in the space arranged to retain the hub in the space adjacent the aperture, so as to allow the syringe body to be detached from the needle assembly;
and which portions in the open position expose the interior space such that a needle assembly may be placed into the space;
the container comprising securing members arranged to lock the housing portions together in the closed position, and to be substantially inaccessible for unlocking from outside the closed container.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the securing members comprise cooperating engagement formations provided on each housing portion respectively.
3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the first and second portions are hinged together along a first edge.
4. A container as claimed in claim 3, in which the aperture is provided at a second edge which is opposite to the first edge.
5. A container as claimed in claim 4, which tapers in width from the first edge to the second opposite edge.
6. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first and second portions each comprise a base surrounded by an upstanding wall, such that in the closed position the portions meet along the edges of the upstanding walls at a central part of the container.
7. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the hub engaging part comprises an indent provided in the space adjacent the aperture, which is arranged for accommodating the flange of a needle hub.
8. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the hub engaging part comprises a generally cylindrical cradle, which is arranged closely to receive the needle hub.
9. A container as claimed in claim 8, in which the hub engaging part of each housing portion is a generally semi-cylindrical cradle, and the aperture comprises a generally semi-circular recess in the upstanding wall of each portion.
10. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the securing members are provided adjacent the aperture.
11. A container as claimed in claim any preceding claim, in which the securing members comprise one or more resilient hooks provided on one of the housing portions, and one or more corresponding detent members on the other of the portions.
12. A container as claimed in claim 11, in which the detent members are provided within apertures in the other one of the portions so as to be inaccessible.
13. A container substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. A kit of parts comprising a container as claimed in any preceding claim and a syringe for use with the container to dispose of the needle.
15. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 14, comprising at least one of a spoon, citric acid, and a cleaning wipe.
PCT/GB2011/051993 2010-10-15 2011-10-14 Container for disposal of a syringe needle WO2012049515A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1017454.8A GB201017454D0 (en) 2010-10-15 2010-10-15 Container for disposal for a syringe needle
GB1017454.8 2010-10-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012049515A1 true WO2012049515A1 (en) 2012-04-19

Family

ID=43333894

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2011/051993 WO2012049515A1 (en) 2010-10-15 2011-10-14 Container for disposal of a syringe needle

Country Status (2)

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GB (2) GB201017454D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2012049515A1 (en)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4917243A (en) * 1988-08-16 1990-04-17 The Board Of Regents, University Of Texas System Needle disposal device
FR2649893A1 (en) * 1989-07-20 1991-01-25 Etude Realisa Sarl Lab Disposable cover for soiled hypodermic needle
US5090564A (en) * 1991-01-25 1992-02-25 Chimienti Vincent J Protective container for a needle
US5188612A (en) * 1991-10-28 1993-02-23 Miles Inc. Phlebotomist protector apparatus
US5370226A (en) * 1993-06-09 1994-12-06 Gollobin; Peter Disposable needle cover
FR2781145A1 (en) * 1998-07-15 2000-01-21 Cediat Mediffusion Medical injection kit, comprises box with hinged lid and compartments for sterile and used instruments
DE10161028A1 (en) * 2001-10-25 2003-05-08 Hermann Guettler Device for covering, removal and/or disposal of used cannulas of medical syringes comprises two pivotably joined plate elements provided with contoured surfaces

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4917243A (en) * 1988-08-16 1990-04-17 The Board Of Regents, University Of Texas System Needle disposal device
FR2649893A1 (en) * 1989-07-20 1991-01-25 Etude Realisa Sarl Lab Disposable cover for soiled hypodermic needle
US5090564A (en) * 1991-01-25 1992-02-25 Chimienti Vincent J Protective container for a needle
US5188612A (en) * 1991-10-28 1993-02-23 Miles Inc. Phlebotomist protector apparatus
US5370226A (en) * 1993-06-09 1994-12-06 Gollobin; Peter Disposable needle cover
FR2781145A1 (en) * 1998-07-15 2000-01-21 Cediat Mediffusion Medical injection kit, comprises box with hinged lid and compartments for sterile and used instruments
DE10161028A1 (en) * 2001-10-25 2003-05-08 Hermann Guettler Device for covering, removal and/or disposal of used cannulas of medical syringes comprises two pivotably joined plate elements provided with contoured surfaces

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201117752D0 (en) 2011-11-23
GB201017454D0 (en) 2010-12-01

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