Method and apparatus for sharps protection

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed for protecting individuals from the sharp ends of medical objects following use on a patient. Such sharp objects include hypodermic needles, scalpel blades, cannulae, trocars, and the like. The protective cover is designed to surround and sequester the sharp in a shell that is will not permit further puncture or cutting with the sharp. In an embodiment, the protective cover also absorbs any fluids on or in the used sharp and prevents any fluids from escaping the protective cover. The devices are configured to be integral to procedure trays or kits such that space and discarded materials are minimized along with the potential for injuring someone with a used, contaminated medical sharp.

1 . An apparatus adapted for entrapment and disposal of medical sharps comprising:
 a shell defining a storage volume, said shell having a top portion, a side wall portion and a bottom base portion, the base portion being at least as large in area as said top portion, said shell adapted to stand upright upon said base so as to present an exposed said top portion and an exposed said side wall portion;   said top portion comprising (a) at least one syringe cap holding aperture adapted to releasably accept a syringe cap so as to allow a capped syringe to be releasably extended into said storage volume and (b) at least one syringe capture aperture adapted to capture and hold a syringe hub as its syringe needle extends into said storage volume; (c) at least one scalpel capture aperture adapted to capture and hold a scalpel as its blade extends into said storage volume; and   wherein said shell comprises a suture needle aperture adapted to receive suture needles into said storage volume.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  additionally comprising a high-friction pad contained within said shell and exposed through said at least one syringe capture and said suture needle aperture. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said side wall portion comprises said suture needle aperture. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , additionally comprising a releasable cover piece covering said suture needle aperture. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said releasable cover piece comprises a releasable adhesive strip. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said base portion is of a material adapted to resist sliding friction as compared to the material comprised by said a top portion and side wall portion. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , said apparatus contained within a procedure tray or kit. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , said apparatus affixed to a procedure tray or kit. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said shell is transparent. 
       claims to  FIG. 12  Embodiment 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus adapted for entrapment and disposal of medical sharps comprising:
 a shell defining storage volume, said shell having a top portion, a side wall portion and a bottom base portion, the base portion being at least as large in area as said top portion, said shell adapted to stand upright upon said base so as to present an exposed said top portion and an exposed said side wall portion;   said top portion comprising (a) at least one syringe capture aperture adapted to capture and hold a syringe Luer fitting as its syringe needle extends into said storage volume; and (b) a suture needle and scalpel aperture adapted to receive suture needles and scalpel blades into said storage volume.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  additionally comprising a foam portion contained within said shell and exposed through said at least one syringe capture and said suture needle aperture. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , additionally comprising a releasable cover piece covering said suture needle and scalpel aperture. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said releasable cover piece comprises a releasable adhesive strip. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said base portion is of a material adapted to resist sliding friction as compared to the material comprised by said a top portion and side wall portion. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  additionally comprising at least one syringe cap holding aperture adapted to releasably accept a syringe cap so as to allow a capped syringe to be releasably extended into said storage volume. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , said apparatus contained within a procedure tray or kit. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , said apparatus affixed to a procedure tray or kit. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein at least a portion of said shell is transparent. 
       claims to  FIG. 13  Embodiment 
     
     
         19 .- 35 . (canceled)