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.

Induction heating from an induction coil (108) is used to separate a metal medical sharp (144) from its holder (142) by applying a high-frequency oscillating magnetic field that excites eddy currents and resistance heating in the sharp. The heated metal sharp melts the adhesive or plastic securing the sharp to its holder. The use of induction heating is advantageous in that it does not require direct contact between the electrical circuit and the sharp or its holder. The heating can also act to sterilize the sharp and thereby render it less hazardous at the same time that it separates the sharp from its holder. The induction coil can have a stepped or conical shape to concentrate the RF energy at the interface between the metal sharp and its holder.

An apparatus for entirely removing a medical sharp from a holder to which it is connected, including a body (102), a heating unit (104) disposed in the body, a receiving unit (114) fixedly disposed in the body and configured to receive the holder, and a collet (122) movably disposed within the body and configured to receive the medical sharp. The apparatus also includes a first biasing member (130) disposed within the body, and a user interface (136) coupled to the collet and configured to displace the collet away from the receiving unit, actuate the first biasing member to increase a bias on the collet toward the receiving unit, and actuate the heating unit.

An apparatus for processing a phlebotomy needle having a double-ended needle with a hub between its tips. The apparatus has a clamping electrode for contacting/clamping one end of the needle between the hub and tip and a tip electrode for contacting the needle at 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.

An apparatus for destroying syringes-needle assemblies is disclosed, the invention comprising a cradle for holding the syringe and a hub grip for gripping the hub of a needle affixed to the syringe. The apparatus comprises means for destroying the needle for example, by passing a current through it to soften/melt it, whilst at the same time, applying an axial compressive force to blunt and compress the needle. The hub grip is moveable relative to the cradle so that the needle can be pulled, unscrewed or otherwise detached from the syringe. The apparatus is preferably automated, and thus enables the destroyed needle and syringe to be separated, and therefore disposed of in separate waste streams without manual intervention.

An apparatus for the destruction of needles and other sharp objects using electrical current. In addition to an incineration ports where needles are inserted for destruction, the apparatus also includes certain improvements related to the shape and composition of the electrical contacts, certain safety circuits related to power source overheating, and digital monitoring and control of current throughput to minimize sparking.

Induction heating from an induction coil (108) is used to separate a metal medical sharp (144) from its holder (142) by applying a high-frequency oscillating magnetic field that excites eddy currents and resistance heating in the sharp. The heated metal sharp melts the adhesive or plastic securing the sharp to its holder. The use of induction heating is advantageous in that it does not require direct contact between the electrical circuit and the sharp or its holder. The heating can also act to sterilize the sharp and thereby render it less hazardous at the same time that it separates the sharp from its holder. The induction coil can have a stepped or conical shape to concentrate the RF energy at the interface between the metal sharp and its holder.

An apparatus for entirely removing a medical sharp from a holder to which it is connected, including a body (102), a heating unit (104) disposed in the body, a receiving unit (114) fixedly disposed in the body and configured to receive the holder, and a collet (122) movably disposed within the body and configured to receive the medical sharp. The apparatus also includes a first biasing member (130) disposed within the body, and a user interface (136) coupled to the collet and configured to displace the collet away from the receiving unit, actuate the first biasing member to increase a bias on the collet toward the receiving unit, and actuate the heating unit.

An apparatus for the destruction of needles and other sharp objects using electrical current. In addition to an incineration port where needles are inserted for destruction, the apparatus also includes certain improvements related to the shape and composition of the electrical contacts, certain safety circuits related to power source overheating, and digital monitoring and control of current throughput to minimize sparking.

An apparatus for the destruction of needles and other sharp objects using electrical current. In addition to an incineration ports where needles are inserted for destruction, the apparatus also includes certain improvements related to the shape and composition of the electrical contacts, certain safety circuits related to power source overheating, and digital monitoring and control of current throughput to minimize sparking.