Pocket-sized needle remover and receptacle

[0001] This application is based on provisional application Ser. No. 60/763,334 filed Jan. 30, 2006.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to safe disposal of syringe needles, and more particularly to a pocket-sized device that both cuts off and stores the needles and is disposable when full.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Accidental needle sticks and re-use of disposable syringes, both which potentially spread serious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B, are serious problems. In recognition thereof, U.S. regulations now mandate use of safety devises or needle removers with disposable syringes in hospitals. Syringes have been developed with capping mechanisms operable with one hand, or auto-disable features that withdraw the needle into the syringe barrel after use.

[0006] Additionally, there are needle removers that physically separate the needle from the syringe. With purchase of a single piece of equipment, users can safely dispose of many needles and prevent re-use of those syringes. The used syringe body can be disposed of in the regular trash receptacles without danger to those handling the trash.

[0007] Some electrically-powered devices either melt the needle or cut it away. These require electricity and must be plugged into the wall, however. A manually operated and portable device would be preferable. Most desirable would be a small, lightweight and simple device that would provide the necessary mechanical advantage to sever the needle with moderate pressure from one hand while at the same time easy for the user to carry around on his or her person and inexpensively priced.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a small, portable device to cut and retain used syringe needles.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device that does not require electricity, batteries or any other external or internal power source.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device that is easily and safely manually operable, configured to provide necessary mechanical advantage to sever the needles with the force of one hand.

[0011] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a simple needle remover and receptacle that is very simple and inexpensive to manufacture and affordable.

[0012] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a device that includes disinfectant to render the captured needles non-infectious.

[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] A device for capturing used syringe needles for safe storage includes a receptacle or enclosure having a lower box portion and an upper lid portion movably connected thereto. Further, there is a guillotine-like mechanism and an adjacent diaphragm spanning the lower and upper portions of the receptacle. The needle of a disposable syringe after its use may be inserted into the guillotine and diaphragm, and the portions of the receptacle pushed together thereby cutting and retaining the needle.

[0015] Preferably the receptacle is constructed such that the two portions are hinged together at the rear side of the receptacle and the hinge is preferably spring loaded to bias the device in the open position. Also preferably the lower and upper portions separate only a sufficient distance at the front side to accommodate insertion of the syringe needle, and the bottom of the lower portion is substantially flat. The guillotine preferably includes an angled blade in cross section such that when the needle is cut it is projected rearward and through the diaphragm. Preferably the inside of the diaphragm is coated with disinfectant or there is other disinfectant material found in the box interior.

[0016] The method of removing and safely storing needles from used syringes includes providing a receptacle or enclosure having an opening between its sides and an inward-angled cutting surface attached to one of the sides and a diaphragm near the cutting surface inside the enclosure. The method also includes inserting a syringe needle between the mating cutting surfaces; and forcibly bringing the sides of the enclosure together thereby cutting the needle and propelling the needle through the diaphragm.

[0017] Preferably the bottom side of the enclosure is substantially flat, such that the step of forcibly bringing the sides together involves pushing down on the top of the enclosure with the bottom side bearing against a substantially flat surface, the sort of operation that is easily done with just a few fingers of one hand as the other hand is holding the syringe.

[0023] First referring to FIGS. 1, 2, shown is a pocket-sized, combination needle remover and receptacle 10 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device 10 includes a lower box portion 12 and an upper lid portion 14 that are moveably attached together as better shown in FIGS. 3, 4. A guillotine-like mechanism 16 spans the opening between the sides. Further, there is a diaphragm or permeable, rubbery membrane 18 behind the guillotine 16, preferably having a disinfectant coating 20 on its inside surface or other disinfectant material being found therein. A hinge 22 connects the lower 12 and upper 14 portions, and is preferably spring loaded to bias the device 10 in the open position. A conventional latch of some sort (not shown) would overcome the spring-loaded hinge 22 forces and hold the two portions 12, 14 of the device 12 together and closed when not in use. Importantly, note the upper blade of the guillotine 16 has an angled (in cross section) cutting surface 24. The device 10 is preferably made of a clear or translucent synthetic plastic material, and of a size that holds about a month's supply of used needles, probably about the size of a conventional small, flip-style cigarette lighter.

[0024] Having described the structure of the device 10, now referring primarily to FIGS. 3-5 its operation, function and use may be discussed. The device 10 should be handy and ready for use after an injection, the latch disengaged and the device 10 sprung open. A disposable syringe S immediately after use may be held in one hand and the needle portion N inserted between the lower box portion 12 and upper lid portion 14 and through the diaphragm 18. Then with a few fingers of the other hand the user merely firmly pushes down on the upper lid portion 14 thereby activating the guillotine 16 and bringing the angled cutting surface 24 into contact with the needle N. As the needle N is severed it is projected further through the diaphragm 18 and inside the device 10 and retained therein. Then the device 10 is closed and latched and put back into the user's pocket, purse or medication and supplies kit, etc.

[0025] While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.