Hypodermic needle destruction

A method for processing a used hypodermic needle, the used hypodermic needle having contained within, or on the surface thereof one or more dangerous materials, liquids, or pathogens, the method comprising:

• inserting the used hypodermic needle into a containment cylinder in a housing, said housing comprising:
• an aperture leading to said containment cylinder for receiving, and constraining the needle within said containment cylinder;
• pre-heating said containment cylinder with a heater surrounding said containment cylinder to a temperature suitable to vaporize the liquids from within a core of a used hypodermic needle;
• then after vaporizing the liquids from with the core of the used hypodermic needle, providing an axial compressive force to the needle along an axis of the needle;
• and
• contacting the used hypodermic needle near a first end with a first electrode;
• contacting the used hypodermic needle at a sharp end with a second electrode;
• providing a first current to flow in the used hypodermic needle using of one selected from a group consisting of a microcontroller, a microprocessor, and a custom integrated circuit, operable to cause said first current to flow in the needle between said first and second electrodes to vaporize liquids contained within or on the surface of the needle, and providing a subsequent second current whereby said second current causes the needle to soften and wherein the second electrode is arranged to move within the containment cylinder;
• and
• then providing the axial compressive force to the needle along an axis of the needle by moving the second electrode towards the first electrode within the containment cylinder.