Hypodermic needle destruction

Abstract

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.

1 . An apparatus ( 110 ) for processing a hypodermic needle ( 2 ), comprising:
 a housing ( 112 ) comprising: an aperture ( 114 ) leading to a containment cylinder ( 118 ) for receiving, and constraining the needle ( 2 ) within it;   a first electrode ( 16 ) for contacting the needle ( 2 ) near a first end;   a second electrode ( 20 ) for contacting the needle ( 2 ) at its sharp end;   a control system, operable to cause a current to flow in the needle ( 2 ) between said first ( 16 ) and second ( 20 ) electrodes, whereby said current causes the needle ( 2 ) to soften and wherein the second electrode ( 20 ) is arranged to move within the containment cylinder ( 118 ) and to provide an axial compressive force to the needle ( 2 ) along the needle's axis. characterised by:   the containment cylinder ( 118 ) comprising a. heater ( 300 ) adapted, in use, to heat, the needle ( 2 ).   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heater ( 300 ) takes the form of a thermostatically controlled heating coil which surrounds the containment cylinder ( 118 ). 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the containment cylinder ( 118 ) is operably connected to a gas source, whereby a gas is passed through the cylinder ( 118 ) during the processing. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the gas is selected from one or more of: atmospheric gas; carbon dioxide; argon; or other substantially inert gas. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the containment cylinder  118 ) is arranged such that as the second electrode ( 20 ) provides the axial compressive force, the mass of the needle ( 20 ) is contained within the cylinder ( 118 ). 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control system causes current to flow in the needle ( 2 ) by direct contact with the needle ( 20 ) or by inducing current in the needle ( 2 ). 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second electrode ( 20 ) comprises a piston. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the piston ( 20 ) comprises indentation in which, in use, rests the sharp tip of the needle ( 2 ). 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus ( 110 ) claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus ( 110 ) comprises a lock to grip the needle at a hub and secure it in place for subsequent processing. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the lock comprises a pair of slidable clamps ( 16 ) mounted on a common shaft ( 13 ), each Clamp ( 16 ) being driven by a relatively opposite threaded screw thread. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising a pair of guide blocks ( 7 ), each forming one half of a conical channel such that when the guide blocks ( 7 ) are mated together, the conical channel Is operable to guide the needle ( 2 ). 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the axial compressive force is provided by one of a motor ( 28 ), a solenoid, a spring or manual force. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus ( 110 ) claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of operational programs. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 13 , a determination device for determining at least one of a set of physical properties of possible needles ( 2 ) for selecting one of the plurality of operational programs. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the set of physical properties includes one or more of length, thickness and electrical resistance. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the direct or induced current is applied according to set program based on time, applied energy or computed needle temperature, dependent on the physical properties of the needle ( 2 ). 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the axial compressive force is provided by one of a motor ( 28 ), a solenoid, a spring or manual force. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the axial compressive force is provided by one of a motor ( 28 ), a solenoid, a spring or manual force. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the axial compressive force is provided by one of a motor ( 28 ), a solenoid, a spring or manual force. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the axial compressive force is provided by one of a motor ( 28 ), a solenoid, a spring or manual force.