Abstract:
A hypodermic needle extraction device for removing a hypodermic needle from a syringe having a syringe body and a luer, the device including at least one guide rod disposed with the device, a carriage assembly having a carriage slidably mounted on the guide rod, and a needle extraction assembly configured to grasp the needle such that the needle is separated from the syringe body as the syringe body and needle are urged apart. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/470,853 filed on May 22, 2009 entitled HYPODERMIC NEEDLE EXTRCTION AND DISPOSAL SYSTEM AND DEVICE, and a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/470,866 filed on May 22, 2009 entitled HYPODERMIC NEEDLE EXTRCTION AND DISPOSAL SYSTEM AND DEVICE, that, in turn, are continuations of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/945,197 filed Sep. 20, 2004 entitled HYPODERMIC NEEDLE EXTRCTION AND DISPOSAL SYSTEM AND DEVICE, that claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 60/503,909 filed on Sep. 18, 2003 entitled HYPODERMIC NEEDLE EXTRACTION DISPOSAL DEVICE AND SYSTEM and U.S. provisional patent application 60/506,256 filed on Sep. 26, 2003 entitled HYPODERMIC NEEDLE EXTRACTION DISPOSAL DEVICE AND SYSTEM. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/470,853, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/470,866, U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/945,197, U.S. provisional patent application 60/503,909, and U.S. provisional patent application 60/506,256 are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for use in processing syringes such as those used in the medical industry. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to hypodermic needle extraction devices that render used syringes safe for disposal and/or recycling. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    The medical industry has experienced an exponential increase in the incidence of accidental needle punctures experienced during the disposal and/or storage of used syringes. Accidental needle punctures pose a potentially deadly and serious problem to medical care providers, as well as to individuals handling used syringes. Accidental “needle sticks” may also be costly to diagnose and/or treat. It is estimated that the expense to identify and treat a medical condition acquired as a result of a “needle stick” is within the range of between two thousand and five hundred thousand dollars ($2,000.00 and $500,000.00). 
         [0006]    Medical industry insurers have been desperate to identify ways to eliminate and/or minimize the risk of inadvertent “needle sticks” to medical service providers and/or individuals involved in the handling and disposal of used syringes. In addition, self-insuring medical facilities are especially interested in a cost effective solution to eliminate the growing “needle stick” problem. 
         [0007]    Currently, used syringes are collected and/or held in a heavy walled bag known in the industry as a sharp bag or box. Currently, a caregiver is required to deposit a used syringe and needle into an appropriate sharp bag or box. A number of disadvantages arise through the use of a sharp bag or box by a caregiver. Initially, a caregiver is required to exercise extreme caution to not acquire an inadvertent “needle stick” during the placement of a used syringe into a sharp bag. In addition, used needles protruding from a sharp bag pose a serious risk to a caregiver as the sharp bag becomes filled to capacity. Persons handling a sharp bag filled with used needles must also be extremely careful to not obtain an accidental “needle stick,” especially when emptying the syringes or transporting the sharp bag. Frequently, sharp bags are not automatically sealed, thereby further increasing the potential of inadvertent “needle sticks” to individuals. As well, syringes are typically not sterilized prior to transportation, storage, and/or disposal. 
         [0008]    Additional risks are also present with respect to the handling of used syringes outside of a medical facility environment. Home health care, such as that practiced by many individuals having diabetes, may require the disposal of a number of used syringes each day. Additionally, used syringes may be disposed of without destruction, which, in turn, may further expose the public to the danger of improper reuse and/or “needle sticks.” 
         [0009]    The considerations referenced above are just a few of the major problems associated with the handling and disposal of used syringes. The considerations identified above also show a critical need for a device which safely and effectively renders used syringes harmless and non-reusable, thereby facilitating disposal and/or recycling. 
         [0010]    Therefore, there is a need for improved methods and devices for rendering used syringes safe for disposal and/or recycling that address these and other shortcomings of the prior art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Briefly described, the present disclosure relates to a hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device for removing a hypodermic needle from a syringe having a syringe body and a luer. The device includes at least one guide rod disposed within said device, a carriage assembly having a carriage slidably mounted on the guide rod, and a needle extraction assembly configured to grasp the needle such that the needle is separated from the syringe body as the syringe body and needle are urged apart. 
         [0012]    A further embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device for removing a hypodermic needle from a syringe having a syringe body and a luer. The device includes a housing, a carriage assembly including a carriage disposed within the housing, a motor configured to move the carriage relative to the housing, and a needle extraction assembly configured to grasp the needle such that the needle separated from the syringe body as the needle and the syringe body are urged apart. The device further includes a bin including a bin door, the bin being slidably received within the housing and configured to receive the needle after separation from the syringe body. The bin door is configured to move to a shut position as the bin is removed from the housing and move to an open position as the bin is inserted into the housing. 
         [0013]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Many aspects of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an embodiment of internal components of a hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of internal components of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of internal components of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of internal components of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of internal components of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device shown in  FIG. 1 , during operation; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a detailed cross sectional end view of the body clamp plungers and syringe, shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a front detailed view of the heater elements and syringe shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a front detailed view of the heater elements engaged to the luer of the syringe; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are partial perspective views of a bin cover and bin door, respectively, as shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the internal components of the needle extraction and disposal device shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a center chassis of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the internal components of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device shown in  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device as illustrated in the drawings. While the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed therein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the hypodermic needle extraction device as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0031]    In particular,  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  according to the present disclosure. The hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  is used for processing a syringe  12  ( FIG. 5 ) which generally includes a needle  14 , a body  16 , a luer  18 , and a plunger (not shown). The hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  is enclosed within a housing  102 , the housing  102  preferably being formed of a lightweight, yet sturdy plastic material. 
         [0032]    As shown, the housing  102  includes a number of indicator lamps  106 , such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Preferably, a ready indicator lamp  106  indicates the availability of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  for use in processing a used syringe  12 . A bin full indicator lamp  106  indicates the necessity for replacement of either the needle bin and/or the syringe body bin  160  ( FIG. 9 ). The bin full indicator lamp  106  signals when either the needle bin or the syringe body bin  160  have become full following the processing of a plurality of used syringes  12 . As well, the housing  102  may also include a power switch and a power input jack (not shown) which may be utilized to supply power to the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100 . 
         [0033]    As shown, the exterior of the housing  102  also includes a syringe guide cutout  103  which orientates a syringe  12  into position for introduction into the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100 . The syringe guide cutout  103  provides a self-contained area for the placement of a syringe  12  prior to processing. The syringe guide cutout  103  is proximate to a syringe receiving door  104  that provides access into the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100 . The syringe guide cutout  103  can also be integral to a hopper mechanism (not shown) which is utilized to store a number of used syringes  12  for automatic processing by the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100 . The hopper mechanism can function on the same principles as a clip for ammunition, a gravity drop via a channel, a standard shaped hopper, or a conveyor. 
         [0034]    Preferably, the syringe receiving door  104  is operated by an electronic control system, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,230, to Miller, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The syringe receiving door  104  is opened via a pinion gear  101   a  engaging a rack  103 , thereby permitting a used syringe  12  to enter the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  for processing. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the syringe receiving door  104  is a platform that is retracted or slid laterally, thereby allowing the syringe to drop vertically into the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100 . However, alternate embodiments of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  can include a platform having a hinge that permits the platform to rotate downwardly into the interior of the housing  102 . A receiving door opto-sensor (not shown) is adjacent the syringe receiving door  104 . The receiving door opto-sensor senses the presence of a syringe  12  being placed proximate to the syringe receiving door  104 . If no other processing functions are occurring within the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100 , the receiving door opto-sensor electrically signals the electronic control system to open the syringe receiving door  104 . Preferably, a small motor  101  is used to drive a pinion gear  101   a  that is operatively connected to a rack  103  located on the syringe door  104 . As the syringe receiving door  104  opens the syringe  12  drops into the housing  102  and processing operations are initiated. The syringe receiving door  104  then returns to the closed position. 
         [0036]    The receiving door opto-sensor is a proximity device which detects the presence of an object within a certain distance. The receiving door opto-sensor does not physically make contact with a syringe  12 . As well, once the receiving door opto-sensor indicates the presence of a syringe  12  proximate the syringe receiving door  104 , the electronic control system permits the opening of the syringe receiving door  104  only at such time as the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  has completed processing of the previous syringe  12  and is ready to initiate further processing procedures. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5 , a carriage assembly transports the used syringe  12 , as received through the syringe receiving door  104 , during processing by the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100 . Preferably, the carriage assembly is formed of a carriage  100 , a carriage gear rack  122 , and a carriage motor  124  having a pinion gear  126 . 
         [0038]    As shown, the carriage  110  is mounted on a plurality of guide rods  115 . Preferably, the guide rods  115  are constructed of stainless steel and allow the carriage  110  to be urged along the guide rods  115  as necessary during processing operations. The carriage  110 , when positioned in the at-rest location, is below the syringe receiving door  104  and above a receiving platform formed by the receiving doors  130 . Each receiving door  130  is mounted within the housing on a shaft (not shown) such that the receiving doors  130  can freely rotate, as discussed hereafter. When the carriage  110  is in the at-rest position, both receiving doors  130  are horizontally positioned, thereby forming the platform onto which the syringe  12  drops once the syringe receiving door  104  is opened. 
         [0039]    Preferably, a carriage opto-sensor (not shown) is positioned adjacent the carriage  110  when the carriage  110  is in the at-rest location under the syringe receiving door  104 . The carriage opto-sensor identifies the presence of a syringe  12  on the receiving platform formed by the receiving doors  130  and signals the electronic control system to initiate processing operations. 
         [0040]    Preferably, a pair of body clamp plungers  112  is used to both raise the syringe  12  off the receiving platform and to securely clamp the syringe body  16  during processing. The body clamp plungers  112  are oppositely disposed and configured for the centering of the needle  14  in a desired x-y coordinate ( FIG. 6 ), regardless of the varying diameters of the syringe bodies  16 . Preferably, each body clamp plunger  112  has a square cross section and is slidably mounted in a square channel on the carriage  110 . A pair of barrel clamp motors  118 , each barrel clamp motor  118  having pinion gear  117 , is used to urge the body clamp plungers  112  inwardly so that they engage the syringe  12 . Each pinion gear  117  engages a gear rack  116  formed on the respective body clamp plunger  112 . Each gear rack  116  can be either integral to or affixed to the body clamp plunger  112 . As well, the square channels may be either affixed to or integral to the carriage  110 . 
         [0041]    The pair of barrel clamp motors  118  move the barrel clamp heads  114  inwardly for engagement of the syringe  12 . The pair of barrel clamp heads  114  are preferably formed in an opposing V-shaped configuration, thereby facilitating the application of an identical clamping pressure to the body  16  of a syringe  12 , regardless of the diameter of the body  16 . The current or voltage required for clamping of the syringe body  16  by the barrel clamp motors  118  then sensed and/or analyzed by the electronic control system. Upon sensing of a pre-established voltage or current threshold, the electronic control system signals the barrel clamp motors  118  to maintain the barrel clamp plungers  112  in the desired position. 
         [0042]    The opposing V-shaped clamps of the barrel clamp heads  114  engage the syringe body  16  below the center line to facilitate the elevation and lifting of the syringe  12  for centering in the desired x- and y-coordinate ( FIG. 6 ). The opposing V-shaped barrel clamp heads  114  obtain an identical x- and y-coordinate for the needle  14  regardless of the size of the needle  14  or the diameter dimension for the syringe body  16 . The utilization of the square body clamp plungers  112  within the square plunger channels  80  maintains the orientation of the barrel clamp heads  114 , thereby maintaining vertical, horizontal, and rotational integrity during operation of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100 . As well, utilization of the square body clamp plungers  112  helps prevent the rotation of the barrel clamp heads  114  out of position. 
         [0043]    Preferably, the carriage opto-sensor preferably signals the electronic control system to initiate the grasping of a syringe  12  from the receiving platform. The electronic control system then signals the barrel clamp motors  118  to move the body clamp plungers  112  inwardly so that the barrel clamp heads  114  engage the body  16  of the syringe  12 . The engagement between the barrel clamp heads  114  and the syringe body  16  elevates the syringe body  16 , positioning the needle  14  in the desired x- and y-coordinate. As the inward positioning of the body clamp plungers  112  continues, increased pressure is exerted upon the body  16 . As such, the barrel clamp motors  118  then signal the electronic control system of a desirability of more power. Once a certain power demand threshold has been encountered, the electronic control system signals the barrel clamp motors  118  to maintain the desired position for the remainder of the sterilization and processing procedures of the used syringe  12 . 
         [0044]    The signal from the carriage stop opto-sensor communicates to the electronic control system that the needle  14  has been positioned as desired, upon which the electronic control system signals the heater assembly to engage the luer  18  of the syringe  12 . Preferably, the heater assembly includes a pair of heater motors  140 , square plungers  141  positioned within square plunger channels, heater elements  142 , and thermalcouples (not shown). The advantages as described for the square plungers and square plunger of the body clamp plungers  112  are equally applicable to the heater assembly described herein. 
         [0045]    Preferably, the carriage  110  is moved forwardly and rearwardly along the guide rods  115  by the engagement of the carriage motor  124  which rotates the pinion gear  126  along the carriage gear rack  122 . The engagement of the carriage motor  124  occurs through the receipt of signals from the electronic control system. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the electronic control system signals the carriage motor  124  to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed from above. As such, the carriage  110  is forwardly positioned such that the syringe  12  is proximate to the heater elements  142 , which can be ceramic heater heads. It should be noted that if the presence of a luer  18  on the carriage  110  is not identified by the transfer carriage opto-sensor, a signal will be generated to the electronic control system which returns the carriage  110  to the at-rest position. 
         [0046]    As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , as the carriage  110  and syringe  12  are urged forwardly along the guide rails  115 , a tab or wing surface  134  on each of the receiving doors  130  slides along a portion of the carriage  110 . Preferably, as each wing surface  134  slides along the sloped portion, or bullnose  111 , of the carriage  110 , each receiving door  130  rotates downwardly such that there is no longer a platform formed beneath the carriage  110 . This allows access to the bin  160  positioned thereunder, as is later discussed. 
         [0047]    Preferably, the forward motion of the carriage  110  is limited by a carriage stop opto-sensor (not shown) which is positioned adjacent the forward or leading edge of the heater assembly. The carriage stop opto-sensor is preferably adapted to sense and signal the presence of the luer  18  of the syringe  12  in a desired forward location. The carriage stop opto-sensor initiates a signal to the electronic control system upon sensing of the leading edge of the luer  18  of the syringe  12 . The carriage stop opto-sensor enables the processing of syringes  12  having varying lengths by terminating the forward motion of all syringes  12  at a standard forward position. At this standard position, the luer  18  is presented in proximity to the heater elements  142  that are located on the square plungers  141 . The carriage stop opto-sensor is a proximity device which detects the presence of a non-conductive material within a certain distance, such as a syringe  12 . 
         [0048]    Preferably, heater motors  140  engage the square plungers  141  through the utilization of screw shafts and cert nuts. The front surfaces of the square plungers  141  accommodate the heater elements  142 . Upon the positioning of the needle  14  in the desired position, the electronic control system signals the heater motors  140  to urge the square plungers  141  inwardly such that the heater elements  142  contact the luer  18  of the syringe  12 . Preferably, the electronic control system initiates the application of power to the heater elements  142  when the transfer carriage opto-sensor signals the electronic control system of the presence of a syringe  12  on the receiving platform. As such, the heater elements  142  have already obtained a temperature of approximately 130° Celsius by the time the heater motors  140  receive a signal to position the heater elements  142  into contact with the luer  18 . The heater motors  140  urge the heater elements  142  inwardly until such time as an increase in the current/voltage is requested, indicating contact with the luer  18  ( FIG. 7 ). The electronic control system signals the heater motors  142  to terminate the inward positioning of the heater elements  142  while continuing engagement of the heater elements  142  with the luer  18  of the syringe  12 . The heater elements  142  then are utilized to soften the luer  18  to facilitate the extraction of the needle  14  from the syringe  12  by the needle extraction assembly. The heater elements  142  can include an angular contact surface which is adapted to flushly engage the luer  18  of the syringe  12  over the entire length of the respective heater element  142 . 
         [0049]    When the heater elements  142  have acquired a temperature of approximately 130° Celsius, the thermalcouples will signal the electronic control system to terminate/regulate power for the provision of further heat to the heater elements  142 . An additional temperature increase to the heater elements  142  is not desired in order to reduce the risk that the heater elements  142  will melt the plastic luer  18  of the syringe  12 . Preferably, heater elements  142  soften the luer  18  for extraction of the needle  14 , however, they do not fully melt the luer  18 . Sufficient power is provided as regulated by the thermalcouples to retain the heater elements  142  at a temperature of approximately 130° Celsius during the softening of the luer  18 . 
         [0050]    Simultaneous to the engagement of the heater assembly for heating of the luer  18 , the electronic control system signals the needle extraction assembly to grasp the needle  14 . Preferably, the needle extraction assembly includes a needle extraction platform  150 , a platform motor  152 , a pair of needle tip clamp motors  154 , square plungers  155 , square plunger channels, and a pair of needle tip grippers  156 , each preferably a carbide gripper. 
         [0051]    The needle extraction platform  150  is slidably mounted to a plurality of guide rods  115  which allow for the linear motion of the needle extraction platform  150 . Preferably, the needle extraction platform is mounted to the same set of guide rods  115  upon which the carriage  110  is mounted. The forward positioning of the needle extraction platform  150  is preferably limited by the electronic control system via the programming of a distance for forward rotation of the needle extraction shaft  150 . It should also be noted that the inward or forward positioning of the needle extraction platform  150  is a known distance which may be pre-programmed as a threshold within the microprocessor of the electronic control system. 
         [0052]    The at-rest position for the needle extraction assembly is adjacent the heater assembly. In order to engage the needle  14 , the electronic control system signals the needle tip clamp motors  154  to rotate the screw shafts for inward positioning of the square plungers  155  within the square plunger channels. The needle tip grippers  156 , having the knurled carbide grippers, are affixed to the square plungers  155 . The operations, interactions, and advantages as earlier described for the square plungers  141  and square plunger channels of the heater assembly similarly apply to the needle extraction assembly. 
         [0053]    The needle tip clamp motors  152  apply power for the grasping of the needle  14  by the needle tip grippers  156 . As the pressure increases between the needle tip grippers  156  and the needle  14 , a signal is communicated to the electronic control system for an increased level of voltage or current to be utilized by the needle tip clamp motors  154 . The electronic control system signals the needle tip clamp motors  154  to terminate further inward rotation of the screw shafts thereby maintaining the needle  14  securely between the needle tip grippers  156 . Simultaneous with the signal from the electronic control system to terminate further pressure upon the needle  14  by the needle tip grippers  156 , the electronic control system signals the platform motor  152  to exert a retracting force upon the needle extraction platform  150 . The needle extraction motor  152  then moves the needle extraction platform  150  rearwardly away from the luer  18 . The needle extraction platform  150  is moved rearwardly via the rotational engagement of the needle extraction shaft  151  and a threaded nut (not shown), that is affixed to, or integral with, the needle extraction platform  150 . 
         [0054]    As the luer  18  becomes softened following exposure to heat from the heater elements  142 , the engagement between the needle  14  and the luer  18  becomes weaker. The luer  18  eventually becomes sufficiently soft to permit the extraction of the needle  14  from the luer  18 . During this sequence, the platform motor  152  is exerting a retraction pressure upon the needle extraction platform  150 . The platform motor  152  waits for a reduction in the current requirement for extraction of the needle  14 , which is indicative of the softening of the luer  18  and the release of the needle  14  from the luer  18 . The electronic control system then senses the imminent extraction of the needle  14  from the syringe  12 , whereupon the electronic control system increase power to the needle extraction motor  152 . As such, the needle tip grippers  156  are retracted, thereby causing separation of the needle  14  from the luer  18 . The extracting pressure exerted by the needle extraction motor  152  provides a tugging force upon the needle  14  with respect to the syringe  12 . In one embodiment the tugging force upon the needle  14  can be constant. The level of force exerted by the needle extraction motor  152  is sufficient to sense the softening of the luer  18  and the slippage and retraction of the needle  14  from the luer  18 . 
         [0055]    The extraction of the needle  14  from the syringe  12  and the interaction between the carriage, body clamp plungers, heater assembly, and needle extraction assembly is preferably based upon an event sequence as opposed to a timing sequence. Therefore, the interrelationship is not affected by the diameter dimensions for the syringe body  16  or the needle  14 . The electronic control system operates the platform motor  152  and/or the needle tip clamp motors  154  based upon the analysis of the voltage/current requirements for exertion of a desired amount of pressure, whereupon the electronic control system will signal the respective platform motor  152  or needle tip clamp motors  154  to hold an acquired position. 
         [0056]    Simultaneously with the needle  14  separating from the luer  18 , the electronic control system signals the heater motors  140  to pinch and collapse the softened luer  18  by the heater elements  142 , thereby sealing of the internal cavity of the syringe body  16  ( FIG. 8 ). The heater motors  140  continue to exert compression pressure upon the luer  18  until such time as a threshold is reached, upon which the electronic control system signals the heater motors  140  to retract to an at-rest position. As well, the needle extraction platform  150  is further retracted rearwardly  170  for engagement of the needle  14  to the needle tip contactor assembly (not shown). 
         [0057]    Following the sealing of the syringe cavity, the heater elements  142  are retracted to their at-rest position and the electrical control system signals the body clamp motors  118  to retract the body clamp plungers  112  to their start position, thereby permitting the syringe body  16  to drop between the open receiving doors  130  and into the syringe body bin  160  ( FIG. 9 ). The compression and sealing of the luer  18  by the heater elements  142  occurs upon the extraction of the needle  14  from the plastic luer  18  as the base of the needle  14  clears the tip of the plastic luer  18 . Compression of the luer  18  upon the separation of the needle  14  from the syringe luer  18  helps prevent contamination or contaminated substance from escaping the syringe  12 . 
         [0058]    Following the separation of the needle  14  from the luer  18 , the needle  14  is sterilized through the establishment of an electrical contact and subsequent heating with the needle tip contactor  157 . The needle tip contactor  157  is preferably spring mounted (not shown). The tip contactor  157  includes a conical shaped receiving end which is adapted to engage the tip of a needle  14 . The tip contactor  157  is in electrical communication with the needle tip grippers  156 . 
         [0059]    Preferably, the tip contactor  157  is a spring and formed of a one quarter inch brass diameter shaft having a conical shaped receiving end. A needle  14  engaging the receiving end may thereby be centered for sterilization and processing. Upon engagement of the needle  14  with the tip contactor  157 , an electrical connection is established and the electronic control system applies power across the needle  14  such that the needle  14  is used as an element. Preferably, the electronic control system places approximately twelve to twenty volts, corresponding to twelve to fifteen amps, across the needle  14  thereby sterilizing any chemistry or blood which may be present upon the needle  14 . The conical shaped receiving end, upon the heating of the needle  14 , deforms the point of the needle  14  into a non-reusable condition. The needle tip grippers  156  grasp the needle  14  proximate to the luer  18  in order to maximize the distance between the tip of the needle  14  and the needle tip grippers  156 . 
         [0060]    The electronic control system then terminates the application of energy across the needle  14  whereupon the needle extraction motor  152  urges the needle extraction platform  150  forwardly for return to the at-rest position. The needle  14  is thereby separated from the conical receiving end. The electronic control system then signals the needle tip clamp motors  154  to retract, separating the needle tip grippers  156  from the needle  14 , thereby permitting the needle  14  to drop into the needle bin  130  ( FIG. 3 ). All the elements of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  are then positioned for processing of another used syringe  12 . 
         [0061]    Preferably, the dropped syringe body  16  is received in the syringe body bin  160 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Similarly, after the needle  14  has been removed and sterilized, the needle  14  is allowed to drop into the needle bin (not shown). Preferably, the needle bin  130  and the syringe body bin  160  are both contained in a single sliding drawer  108 . As shown, each bin  160  includes a sliding bin door  166  that functions automatically as the drawer  108  is both pushed into and pulled out of the housing  102 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 10A , a top view of an exemplary sliding bin door  166  and bin cover  168 , an actuator tab  167  extends upwardly from the sliding door  166  and into the bin cover  168 . Preferably, the drawer is inserted into the housing  102  with the bin door  166  in an open position. As the drawer  108  is removed from the housing  102 , the actuator tab  167  is engaged by angled rails or a slot (not shown) on the underside portion of the housing  102 , thereby closing the sliding door  166 . As shown in  FIG. 10B , a bottom perspective view of the bin cover  168  and sliding door  166 , the bin door  166  travels in channels  169  formed on the underside of the bin cover  168 . A pair of self-expanding barbs  165  helps lock the sliding door  166  in the closed position after the drawer  108  has been removed from the housing  102 . Note, various size drawers and bins may be used depending on the size and/or quantity of the syringes to be processed. As well, bin size selection may depend on whether the unit is used on a countertop, a floor stand, a nurse&#39;s cart, is wall mounted, or used by paramedics in the field. 
         [0063]    An alternate embodiment of a hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  200  is shown in  FIGS. 11-13 . As shown, the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  200  includes a housing  202  including a needle orifice  204  and a drawer  208  ( FIG. 13 ) slidably received therein. The hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  200  operates automatically upon insertion of a syringe  12  into the needle orifice  204 , either by use of a mechanical switch or by use of opto electronics. Preferably, a wheel  209  is rotatably mounted to the housing  202 , the wheel  209  including a plurality of orifice inserts  207  of different sizes. The orifice inserts  207  assist the user in properly positioning the syringe  12  relative to the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  200  for removal of the needle  14  therefrom. As well, a liquid crystal display  206  is provided on the housing  202  to provide information to the operator. As previously noted, LEDs can also be used to provide status information to the operator. 
         [0064]    Preferably, a movable carriage  210  is slidably mounted within the housing  202  on a plurality of guide rods  215  which are mounted in apertures  251  formed in the center chassis  250  ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ). At the beginning of each processing cycle, the carriage  210  is at the top of its intended range of travel (the range being approximately one inch or less vertically). When the needle  14  of the syringe  12  is inserted into the needle orifice  204 , the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  200  is activated. Power is provided to the needle tip clamp motor  254  which in turn urges the moveable needle tip gripper  257  toward the opposing stationary needle tip gripper  256 , securing the needle  14  therebetween. As the needle tip grippers  256 ,  257  squeeze the needle  14 , the microprocessor senses greater load on the needle tip gripper motor  254 . At a predetermined current rise threshold programmed into the microprocessor, the needle tip gripper motor  254  is turned off, leaving the needle  14  secured between the needle tip grippers  256 ,  257 . 
         [0065]    After the needle  14  is held firmly by the needle tip grippers  256 ,  257 , the carriage motors are activated, thereby urging the carriage  210  downwardly away from the syringe body  16 . The motion of the carriage  210  relative to the syringe body  16  separates the needle  14  from the luer  18 . At a predetermined distance (preferably less than one inch), power is secured to the carriage motors  252  as the needle  14  is now free of the luer  18 . Preferably, a heater element (not shown) is located adjacent the needle orifice  204  such that when the needle is inserted therein, the luer  18  of the syringe  12  is adjacent the heater element. The heater element softens the luer  18  thereby facilitating removal of the needle from the syringe  12 . 
         [0066]    The carriage motor  254  is turned on and reversed to separate the moveable needle tip gripper  257  from the stationary needle trip gripper  256 , thereby allowing the needle  14  to drop into the needle collection bin  268  ( FIG. 13 ). As a precaution to prevent needles  14  from sticking to one of the needle tip grippers  256 ,  257 , a small loop  257   a  is attached to the top of the moveable needle tip gripper  257 . When the needle  14  is first inserted into the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  200 , it passes through the loop  257   a . As the needle tip grippers  256 ,  257  are opened, the needle  14  is forced off the face of the stationary needle tip gripper  256  as the needle  14  comes in contact with the edge of the retreating loop  257   a . After the needle  14  has been dropped into the needle bin  268 , the carriage motors  252  are turned on in reverse and the carriage  210  moves along the guide rods  215  back to the upper position. As soon as the needle  14  has been removed from the luer  18 , the user can remove the now needleless syringe body  16  from the needle orifice  204  and place the syringe body  16  in the appropriate waste container. 
         [0067]    As best shown in  FIG. 13 , the drawer  208  and associated needle bin  260  are slidably received in a center chassis  250 . Similar to the previously discussed embodiment, the needle bin  260  preferably includes a bin cover  268  with an aperture formed therein and a bin door  266  having an actuator tab  267  extending upwardly therefrom. As the drawer  208  is slid into and out of the center chassis  250 , a slot (not shown) formed in the center chassis  250  causes the bin door to be automatically moved to an open and a closed position, respectively. As well, a magnet is embedded in the actuator tab  267  that interacts with a reed switch  258  positioned on the center chassis  250 . The reed switch  258  is configured to detect the location of the magnet, and subsequently the actuator tab  257 . As such, the reed switch  258  can determine if the bin door  266  has moved to the open position as the drawer  208  is inserted into the center chassis  250 . With the bin door  266  in the open position, the aperture in the bin cover  268  is aligned with the needle aperture  256  formed in the center chassis. As such, processed needles  14  can drop into the needle bin  260 . If the bin door  266  remains in the closed position for some reason, the reed switch  258  provides a signal to the control system that prevents the operation of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  200 . 
         [0068]    Preferably, a solenoid  270  is provided that is configured to lock the needle bin  260  in place during operation of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  200  by inserting an actuator (not shown) into a recess (not shown) formed in either the bin  260  or the drawer  208 . The solenoid  270  briefly retracts the actuator and allows the drawer  208  to be removed once the needle bin  260  is full. Operation of the solenoid  270  is automatic and based on a count of how many needles  14  have been processed. Preferably, the spring (not shown) positioned within the center chassis  250  forces the drawer  208  out of the center chassis  250  when the solenoid  270  momentarily lifts an actuator (not shown) which normally engages a recess in the drawer  208 , thereby holding the drawer  208  in position. 
         [0069]    The hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  200  operates while plugged into a standard 110 V supply, or operates off a battery pack. Preferably, the batteries allow at least 80 to 100 cycles before needing to be recharged. The recharging system is built into the device. No external charging system is necessary. Solar cells may also be mounted on the device to provide operating power and/or recharge the battery pack. 
         [0070]    An alternate embodiment of a hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  300  is shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . As shown, the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  300  includes a housing  302  including a needle orifice  304  and a drawer  308  slidably received therein. The hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  200  operates automatically upon insertion of a syringe  12  into the needle orifice  304 , either by use of a mechanical switch or by use of opto electronics. 
         [0071]    Preferably, the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  300  operates automatically upon insertion of a syringe  12  into the needle orifice, either by use of a mechanical switch or opto electronics. Similar to various other embodiments, the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  300  includes a movable carriage  310  slidably mounted therein. As shown, the carriage is mounted on a pair of guide rods  315 . As best seen in  FIG. 15 , at the beginning of each processing cycle, the carriage  310  is at the top of its intended range of travel (the range being approximately one inch or less vertically). When the needle  14  of the syringe  12  is inserted into the needle orifice  304 , the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  300  is activated. Power is provided to a needle tip clamp motor  354 , which in turn urges the moveable needle tip gripper  357  toward the opposing stationary needle tip gripper  356 , securing the needle  14  therebetween. As the needle tip grippers  356 ,  357  squeeze the needle  14 , a microprocessor senses greater load on the needle tip gripper motor  354 . At a predetermined current rise threshold programmed into the microprocessor, the needle tip gripper motor  354  is turned off, leaving the needle  14  secured between the needle tip grippers  356 ,  357 . 
         [0072]    After the needle  14  is held firmly by the needle tip grippers  256 ,  257 , carriage motors  352  are activated, thereby urging the carriage  310  downwardly away from the syringe body  16 . The motion of the carriage  310  relative to the syringe body  16  separates the needle  14  from the luer  18 . At a predetermined distance (preferably less than one inch), power is secured to the carriage motors  352  as the needle  14  is now free of the luer  18 . 
         [0073]    The carriage motor  254  is turned on and reversed to separate the moveable needle tip gripper  357  from the stationary needle trip gripper  356 , thereby allowing the needle  14  to drop into the drawer  308 . Note, a needle bin similar to those previously discussed can be placed in the drawer  308  for the collection of needles  14 . 
         [0074]    Embodiments are envisioned where the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  further includes a sterilization module (not shown). For example, after the needle  14  has been extracted from the luer  18 , rather than being dropped directly into the syringe bin, the syringe body  16  can be dropped onto a sliding platform and flooded with UV light. After a sufficient period of time has elapsed for the UV light to destroy bacteria, etc., the UV lamp is turned off. Once the UV light is turned off, the platform retracts to one side and the syringe body  16  is allowed to drop into the syringe collection bin. The sliding platform then returns to its home position. 
         [0075]    Other embodiments may include a syringe destruction device (not shown) to reduce the syringe bodies  16  to smaller pieces, therefore requiring less storage space in the syringe bin. For example, a syringe destruction device may include a moveable platform on which the syringe is positioned, and then pushed into a grinding or cutting area for reduction. The reduced pieces are then deposited into the syringe collection bin, thereby reducing the volume of storage space required per syringe. 
         [0076]    Note, the sterilization unit and syringe destruction device can be either integral parts of the disposal device  100  or can operate independently as stand-alone systems. Preferably, hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  microprocessor has firmware installed to allow for field upgrades of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  with the syringe destruction device in the sterilization unit. As such, the microprocessor can determine if one or both of these devices are being used in conjunction with the disposal unit, and will vary all of the operation timing functions accordingly. When the syringe destruction device and sterilization unit are used independently as stand alone systems, they will have their own microprocessor controller and related firmware and hardware. 
         [0077]    Embodiments of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  are envisioned that have the ability to distinguish between standard syringe/needle combinations and “engineered sharps” (safety syringes—retractable or sheathed). By use of the optic systems incorporated in the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100 , the system can determine the type of syringe to be processed. If the syringe is determined to be an engineered sharp, the processing is varied to eliminate the needle extraction portion of the process and the engineered sharp is deposited into the syringe bin. As an alternative to placing or depositing the safety syringe into the normal syringe collection bin, the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  can be configured to allow for depositing the safety syringes into their own separate syringe collection bin. In this configuration, the disposal device can distinguish between empty syringe barrels with no metal and safety syringes with needles attached. 
         [0078]    Various embodiments of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  have the ability to communicate through wired and/or wireless LANs (local area networks). As such, hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  can be poled from a central station as to each disposal unit&#39;s activity. As well, each hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  can be operated remotely and diagnostics routines can be run to determine if the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  is functioning properly. A central control system (preferably Windows® based) would allow personnel to communicate with a number of hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  in a system to view activity, status, etc. This allows for management of several hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device  100  on one system. 
         [0079]    Embodiments are also envisioned wherein syringe processing events may be time stamped, processed syringe sizes can be determined using look-up tables, the total number of syringes processed in a given amount of time is recorded, and “instructions sets” regarding timing, motor current settings, etc., may be changed via the network connections, depending upon the type syringe being processed. 
         [0080]    Although preferred embodiments of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device have been disclosed in detail herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the disclosed embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the hypodermic needle extraction and disposal device as set forth in the following claims.