Needle removal and disposal apparatus

Abstract

A geared slot needle remover for engaging and rotatably removing a needle from a holder, comprises a support member having an elongated slot for receiving a disposable hypodermic needle, a plurality of gear teeth along one side of the slot for engaging splines on a needle hub for rotating the needle hub and unthreading it from a holder when the gear teeth and the axis of the needle hub are moved transverse to one another, and an elongated lip overlying a substantial length of the slot for engaging and holding the needle hub against removal from the slot. In an alternate embodiment the gear slot is formed in a flexible arm having an inner end secured to the support member, and a needle hub guide for guiding the needle hub along the gear teeth upon movement of the needle holder along the axis of the needle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.