Apparatus and method for unwinding a needle portion

Abstract

A container system is provided for removing a needle portion from a needle holder of a needle system. The system includes a receptacle defining an opening, a lid configured to cover the receptacle opening, wherein the lid defines an aperture having a shape configured to receive a needle system having a first configuration. The system also includes an adapter configured for engagement in the lid aperture, wherein the adapter defines an aperture having a shape configured to receive a needle system having a second configuration, and wherein the engagement of the adapter in the lid aperture resists rotation of the adapter with respect to the lid.

1 .- 12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . A method of unwinding a needle portion from a needle holder of a needle system having a second configuration using a container system including a receptacle and a lid, the lid having an aperture configured to receive a needle system having a first configuration, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) engaging an adapter configured to receive the needle system having the second configuration in the lid aperture, thereby modifying the lid from being configured to receive the needle system having the first configuration to being configured to receive the needle system having the second configuration;    (b) inserting at least a portion of the needle system having the second configuration into the adapter aperture, thereby engaging the needle portion to resist rotation of the needle portion with respect to the adapter; and    (c) rotating the needle holder with respect to the adapter, thereby unwinding the needle portion from the needle system such that the needle portion can be released into the receptacle.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , said engaging step comprising mating a detent formed on the adapter with a depression defined by the lid.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , said engaging step comprising mating each of two or more detents formed on the adapter with a respective one of two or more depressions defined by the lid.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , said engaging step comprising engaging a flange provided on the adapter with an edge of the lid.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , said engaging step comprising engaging two or more flanges provided on the adapter with an edge of the lid.  
   
   
       18 . A method for use with a needle system and a receptacle having an opening, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) covering the opening of the receptacle with a lid defining an aperture for engaging a needle system having a first configuration;    (b) selecting a needle system having a second configuration that includes a needle portion and a needle holder;    (c) engaging an adapter defining an aperture for engaging the needle system having the second configuration in the lid aperture, thereby modifying the lid from being configured to engage the needle system having the first configuration to being configured to engage the needle system having the second configuration; and    (d) inserting the needle portion of the needle system having the second configuration into the adapter aperture, thereby engaging the needle portion with the adapter.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , said engaging step comprising engaging the needle portion to resist rotation of the needle portion with respect to the adapter.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of: 
 rotating the needle holder with respect to the adapter, thereby unwinding the needle portion from the needle holder such that the needle portion is released into the receptacle.    
   
   
       21 .- 23 . (canceled)