Method and apparatus for disposing of contaminated hypodermic needles
AssigneeSharp-Saf Corporation
InventorsRoy B. Burden, Michael S. Burden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable electrical apparatus for destroying contaminated sharp medical instruments. The sharp portion of an instrument is inserted into the apparatus and electrically grounded. An electrically activated electrode is pivotally advanced to approach or contact the point of the sharp instrument to create an electrical arc that progressively volatilizes the sharp portion. A wiper bar dislodges slag from the electrode surface into a receptacle. The contaminated medical instrument is made safe for disposal by the destruction of the sharp portion and by the killing of germs by the heat of the electrical arc.
Claims28
An apparatus for disposing of biohazardous sharp metallic instruments having elongated metallic sharp portions such as hypodermic needles, comprising:
- grounding means for electrically grounding the instrument;
- an electrode for supplying electricity to the instrument across an arc formed at a position of proximity between the electrode and the instrument;
- and
- means for moving the electrode to progressively contact the instrument along its length while the instrument is stationary, such that at least a substantial majority of the biohazardous metallic sharp portion of the instrument is volatilized when an electrical current flows between the electrode and the grounding means.
An apparatus for disposing of biohazardous sharp metallic instruments comprising:
- grounding means for electrically grounding the instrument;
- an electrode for supplying electricity to the instrument;
- a wiper movable across the electrode to dislodge waste material therefrom;
- and
- instrument receiving means operable to position said instrument electrically between said electrode and said grounding means,
- such that at least a biohazardous portion of the instrument is substantially volatilized when an electrical current flows between the electrode and the grounding means.
A method of destroying a biohazardous instrument having a sharp portion comprising the steps of:
- grounding the instrument;
- while grounding the instrument applying a voltage to an electrode;
- while grounding the instrument and applying the voltage moving the electrode and sharp portion relative to one another such that the electrode and sharp portion approach one another until electrical current flows across the sharp portion to volatilize said portion;
- and
- wiping the electrode and withdrawing the electrode.
A method of destroying a sharp medical instrument having a contaminated elongated metallic portion such as a needle, comprising the steps:
- inserting the elongated metallic portion of the instrument into an aperture,
- holding the instrument stationary in the aperture,
- while the instrument is held stationary, moving an electrode in a path to contact the free end of the instrument and to move progressively along the length of the instrument to electrically destroy substantially the entire elongated metallic portion of the instrument.
An apparatus for disposing of biohazardous sharp metallic instruments having an elongated sharp portion having a needle length comprising:
- instrument receiving means operable to position the instrument in a stationary active position;
- grounding means for electrically grounding the instrument in the active position;
- and
- an electrode movable into an operable position relative to the instrument in response to presence of the instrument in the active position for passing an electrical current through the instrument between the electrode and the grounding means, the electrode being movable through a sufficiently wide range of motion to progressively contact the sharp portion throughout substantially the entire needle length;
- such that at least a biohazardous portion of the instrument is substantially destroyed by heat generated by the electrical current flowing between the electrode and the grounding means, without moving the instrument during its destruction.
An apparatus for destroying contaminated sharp instruments comprising:
- an instrument receiver movable between a first inactive fixed position and a second inactive fixed position by pushing the instrument into the receiver;
- electrical ground means controllable by the receiver in the second position to complete an electrical circuit;
- a movable electrode movable from an inactive starting position through a path of travel toward the instrument to an extended position upon completion of said electrical circuit;
- said path of travel being selected to cause the electrode as it approaches the instrument to approach the free end of the instrument first and then progressively move along the length of the instrument toward said receiver;
- means for connecting said electrode to a source of electrical power such that with electrode connected to said source and moving in said path of travel toward said instrument, an electrical arc is generated between the free end and the electrode to volatilize the free end and thereafter to progressivley volatilize most of the remaining length of the instrument;
- and
- means for returning the electrode to its starting position upon movement of the electrode to its extended position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.