Disclosed is an apparatus for processing a hypodermic needle, comprising: a containment cylinder (17) for receiving the needle; a first electrode (16) for contacting the needle near a first end; a second electrode (20) for contacting the needle at its sharp end; a control system, operable to cause a current to flow in the needle between said first and second electrodes, whereby said current causes the needle to soften and wherein the second electrode is arranged to move within the containment cylinder and to provide a compressive force to the needle, wherein the containment cylinder is arranged to be heated by a heater in the form of a heater coil (not shown) surrounding the containment cylinder during the processing.

An apparatus for removing a needle from a needle holder, including a grasping unit for selectively grasping the needle; a receiving unit for receiving the needle holder, displaceably disposed relative to the grasping unit; a biasing member biasing the receiving unit in a first direction; and separating means for separating the entire needle from the needle holder. Preferably, the needle is heated to melt, soften, or otherwise weaken a material and/or adhesive connecting the needle with the needle holder. Preferably the heating is electrical heating, including completing an electrical circuit through the needle and passing current through the needle, and/or passing current through a heating element.

A hypodermic needle destruction device includes a main body housing a power source and a controller; a recess for receiving, in use, a needle destruction module; and means for retaining the needle destruction module at least partially within the recess. The needle destruction module has clamping and tip electrodes that respectively clamp and axially compress a hypodermic needle, and a containment tube that inhibits bowing of the needle. When a current is passed through the needle via the electrodes and an axial force applied, the needle is sterilised and blunted.

An apparatus for removing a needle from a needle holder, including a grasping unit for selectively grasping the needle; a receiving unit for receiving the needle holder, displaceably disposed relative to the grasping unit; a biasing member biasing the receiving unit in a first direction; and separating means for separating the entire needle from the needle holder. Preferably, the needle is heated to melt, soften, or otherwise weaken a material and/or adhesive connecting the needle with the needle holder. Preferably the heating is electrical heating, including completing an electrical circuit through the needle and passing current through the needle, and/or passing current through a heating element.

An apparatus for removing a needle from a needle holder, including a grasping unit for selectively grasping the needle; a receiving unit for receiving the needle holder, displaceably disposed relative to the grasping unit; a biasing member biasing the receiving unit in a first direction; and separating means for separating the entire needle from the needle holder. Preferably, the needle is heated to melt, soften, or otherwise weaken a material and/or adhesive connecting the needle with the needle holder. Preferably the heating is electrical heating, including completing an electrical circuit through the needle and passing current through the needle, and/or passing current through a heating element.

An apparatus for processing a phlebotomy needle having a double-ended needle with a tub between its tips. The apparatus has a clamping electrode for contacting/clamping one end of the needle between the hub and tip and tip electrode for contacting the needle as its tip. A voltage is applied between the clamping electrode and the tip electrode, to soften/melt the needle via resistive heating, at the same time as the tip electrode is advanced to compress the needle tip and blunt it. The apparatus includes means for allowing the needle to be rotated through so that the first tip and the second tip can be blunted. Also disclosed is means for detaching the needle from a main body and/or for removing a cover covering one end of the needle. The apparatus enables a Vacutainer-type needle to be disassembled into its various parts and the needle rendered blunt and non-hazardous.