Hypodermic syringe needle destroying and sterlizing apparatus and method
AssigneeRobert P. Spinello
InventorRobert P. Spinello
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hypodermic syringe needle destroying apparatus and method using electrical resistance heating between electrodes which are convergent either geometrically or by virtue of relative movement to conduct incinerating currents first throughout the entire length of the contaminated needle and thereafter over progressively shorter lengths until the entire needle is destroyed. Any remaining needle stub can be removed or deformed while in its heated state by impacting it against a deforming barrier.
Claims19
Apparatus for destroying and sterilizing hypodermic needle assemblies having a needle shaft, a needle shaft supporting hub and a body portion carrying the hub, comprising,
- first and second electrodes having a power source connected thereacross, said electrodes having complementary positions spaced apart by a distance corresponding approximately to the full length of the needle shaft to be destroyed,
- said electrodes being convergent to a point of close proximity,
- the first electrode being adapted to be electrically connected to the needle shaft at a point closely adjacent one end of the needle shaft, and the second electrode being adapted to engage the needle adjacent the other end to establish a flow of current through substantially the full length of the needle shaft and, as the electrodes converge, to progressively destroy the needle, whereby electrical resistance heating of the needle shaft occurs along the full length of the needle and what remains thereof at substantially all times current is flowing between the electrodes during each destruction cycle.
Apparatus for destroying and sterilizing a double ended needle supported by a body portion which engages the needle between its ends,
- first and second electrodes adapted to have a power source connected thereacross and respectively adapted to engage the needle ends simultaneously to establish a flow of current through the full length of the needle,
- said electrodes being convergent to a point of close proximity adjacent the point of support by the body portion, and
- means to provide relative motion between the electrodes and needle to bring the needle and its supporting body into close proximity with the point of proximate convergence of the electrodes, whereby the needle is destroyed from its ends inward.
A method for destroying and sterilizing used hypodermic needles comprising the steps of causing an electrical current to flow through substantially the full length of the needle shaft from hub to tip in an amount sufficient to heat the needle shaft to incandescence and partial destruction, and thereafter progressively passing current through what remains of the needle shaft from the hub outward until substantially the entire needle shaft is reduced to sterilized bits to a point adjacent the hub.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.