Instant needle syringe destroyer

• US 5,525,772 A
• Filed: 06/23/1994
• Issued: 06/11/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrus Intellectual Property LLP
• Original Assignee: Andrus Intellectual Property LLP
• Inventors: Tanguy, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Evans, Geoffrey S.
• Application Number:
  US08/265,313
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 219/68, 320/48
• US Class Current: 219/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3283 using electric current between electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3278 Apparatus for destroying used needles or syringes needle resheathing means destroying the needle A61M5/321

Abstract

A portable needle syringe destroyer apparatus that includes a housing with a handle, three lights and a switch on top and a metal plate on, the front at an oblique angle. The destroyer apparatus includes: a battery, battery charge monitor, battery charger and current regulator interior to the housing. The metal plate floats on a spring and moves when a needle is inserted into the opening on the plate. The current is applied through the switch to instantly heat the metal plate high enough and cause the immediate destruction of the needle, any pathogens on or in it and seal the syringe with a small metal ball at the needle hub. The result is irrevocably disposing of the needle and rendering their toxins harmless.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the destruction of a needle utilized in a syringe comprising:

a housing member;

a plate member coupled to the housing member;

the plate member including an opening therethrough for receiving the needle;

a voltage source coupled to the plate member;

a switch means located on an external portion of the housing member for causing an electrical current to be applied to the plate member; and

circuit means coupled to the voltage source and the plate member for melting the needle and sealing the syringe, the circuit means including a current generator coupled to the voltage source and a sensor means coupled to the switch means and the plate member, the sensor means for controlling the switch means such that the switch means will shut off the circuit means after a predetermined time period.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the voltage source comprise a battery.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes:

a first light source located on an external portion of the housing member and coupled to the circuit means for indicating the voltage source is fully charged;

a second light source located on the external portion of the housing member and coupled to the circuit means for indicating the voltage source is not fully charged; and

a third light source located on the external portion of the housing member and coupled to the circuit means for indicating that the voltage source has been recharged.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes:

a handle member coupled to the external portion of the housing member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes:

a removable drawer member located in an interior portion of the housing member below the plate member for collecting a residue from the melting of the needle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the plate member includes a resilient means to allow the plate member to be movable when the needle is inserted.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the plate member is located at an oblique angle within the housing member.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 in which the resilient means comprises a plurality of spring members.

9. An apparatus for the destruction of a needle utilized in a syringe comprising:

a housing member;

a handle member coupled to the external portion of the housing member;

a plate member coupled to the housing member;

the plate member including an opening therethrough for receiving the needle, the plate member also including a resilient means for allowing the plate member to be movable when the needle is inserted through the opening;

a removable drawer member located in an interior portion of the housing member below the plate member for collecting a residue from the melting of the needle;

a voltage source coupled to the plate member, the voltage source comprise a battery;

circuit means coupled to the voltage source and the plate member for melting the needle and sealing the syringe, the circuit means including a current generator coupled to the voltage source and a sensor means coupled to the plate member;

a first light source located on an external portion of the housing member and coupled to the circuit means for indicating the voltage source is fully charged;

a second light source located on the external portion of the housing member and coupled to the circuit means for indicating the voltage source is not fully charged;

a third light source located on the external portion of the housing member and coupled to the circuit means for indicating that the voltage source has been recharged; and

switch means located on an external portion of the housing member and coupled to the current generator and the sensor of the circuit means for causing an electrical current to be applied to the plate member, the sensor for controlling the switch means such that the switch means will shut off the circuit means after a predetermined time period.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the plate member is located at an oblique angle within the housing member.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the resilient means comprises a plurality of spring members.