Patent ID: 6376792
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A process for the individual destruction of syringe needles by melting under the effect of a high-intensity electric current with the aid of electrodes connected via a power circuit to an electric power source (2), in which, in a first destruction step, the free end (40) of a needle (12) is applied in electrical contact with a lower electrode (15) connected electrically to a first terminal (35) of the electric power source (2), the outer surface of the needle (12) is applied in electrical contact with a first upper electrode (18) connected electrically to a second terminal (34) of the electric power source (2) which is distinct from the first terminal (35) to which the lower electrode (15) is connected, the distance between the electrical contact of the outer surface of the needle (12) with the first upper electrode (18) and the free end (40) of the needle (12) in electrical contact with the lower electrode (15) being adapted so that the electric current established between the lower electrode (15) and the first upper electrode (18) via an end portion (43) of the needle extending between these electrodes (15, 18) is capable of bringing about the melting of this end portion (43) of the needle, and the needle (12) is progressively melted by causing its outer surface in contact with the first upper electrode (18) to slide axially as melting of the end portion (43) progresses, wherein:a first upper electrode (18) is used which has a free upper face (44) against which a syringe end piece (41) can butt up axially, in a first destruction step, the needle (12) is progressively melted by causing its outer surface in contact with the first upper electrode (18) to slide axially until a syringe end piece (41) carrying the needle (12) arrives so as to butt up axially against the first upper electrode (18), in a second subsequent destruction step, the second upper electrode (27) is applied in electrical contact with the outer surface of the needle (12) at least substantially radially opposite the first upper electrode (18), this second upper electrode (27) being connected electrically to the same first terminal (35) of the electric power source which is distinct from the second terminal (34) to which the first upper electrode (18) is connected, so that an electric current is established between the first upper electrode (18) and the second upper electrode (27) through the section of the needle (12) flush with the syringe end piece (41) butted up against the first upper electrode (18), whereby the residual end portion (43) of the needle (12) extending in projection from the syringe end piece (41) is destroyed by electrical melting, flush with the end piece (41) of this syringe, this residual end portion (43) being destroyed by melting between the first upper electrode (18) and the second upper electrode (27), the melt residue being moreover detached from the syringe end piece (41) which subsequently no longer presents any sharp projecting asperities.