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 invention utilizes a disposable protective cover for the used sharp. The protective cover is designed to surround and embed the sharp in a permanent cover that is blunt and 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. A refillable or replaceable dispenser dispenses the protective covers at points of use. A disposable receptacle receives the used sharp embedded in the protective cover. When the receptacle is full, the entire receptacle may be discarded in a medical waste container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/477,121, filed on Jun. 9, 2003, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SHARPS PROTECTION”, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to devices to protect individuals from infectious disease spread due to puncture wounds made by sharp, contaminated objects. More particularly, the invention relates to a protective container for safely sequestering and disposing of used medical sharps.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Pathogenic microorganisms may be present in human blood, body fluids or other infected materials and can cause infection and disease in persons who are percutaneously or mucocutaneously exposed. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this context, contaminated blood, body fluids or other infected materials means the presence or reasonably anticipated presence of pathogenic microorganisms on the surface or in a device.  
           [0004]    A medical sharp is an object that can penetrate the skin and includes devices such as, but not limited to, needles, scalpels, tubes, wires, and other medical procedure objects, devices or instruments. Accidental puncture with contaminated, sharp needles or surgical instruments, referred to as medical sharps or sharps, remains a significant risk to healthcare workers. All healthcare workers, such as physicians, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, ambulance staff, airmedics, airmedic staff technicians, janitorial staff, office staff, and even patients and their families, are potentially at risk from this dangerous situation.  
           [0005]    Typically, injuries resultant from accidental needle and scalpel sticks occur after the instruments have been used. As a result, healthcare workers are subject to serious diseases, including but not limited to hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).  
           [0006]    Most often, needle and scalpel punctures occur during the handling of used sharp instrumentation prior to permanent disposal. Healthcare workers can accidentally stick themselves or others in the vicinity while carrying contaminated instruments to a centrally located disposal container for used sharps. Often, needles dangerously protrude from the designated container, often located on a peripheral wall of a given room and often located behind furniture, fixtures, and medical equipment. This increases the risk of puncture to the healthcare worker placing the sharp in the container, or emptying the used sharps container.  
           [0007]    The true cost of the problem is difficult to measure. For every “needlestick” exposure, the health care worker and source patient, if known, is subjected to batteries of tests that are repeated 3 to 4 times over the following year. If the risk is determined to be substantial, in terms of exposure to known or likely HIV, Hepatitis, or other pathogens, there may also be medication costs involved. There are side effects to medications administered for suspected disease transmission and the costs, both societal and monetary, are significant for such treatments. If a disease is actually transmitted by the event, the costs, both personal and financial, are staggering, and the event can prove to be career ending as well as adversely affecting the family and social life of the healthcare worker. Disease transmission, in the worst scenario, can be life ending for the exposed healthcare worker. Bearers of these costs—both tangible and intangible, include health care organizations, their insurers, governmental agencies, the health care workers and their families, and society as a whole.  
           [0008]    Current solutions in the prior art include needle guards and covers, retractable needles, scalpel protectors and needleless connecting systems for intravenous solutions.  
           [0009]    Although needle guards and covers, needles and needleless systems address part of the solution to the problem, they do not offer a universal solution that will manage the risks posed by other types of medical sharps, including scalpel blades, trocars, and the like.  
           [0010]    The prior art includes protective devices for sharps. These are intended to enclose and blunt the used sharp, which prevents anyone from coming into contact with the contaminated sharp.  
           [0011]    Current portable sharps containment devices accommodate needles, but may not accommodate thick sharps, such as cannulae, trocars, scalpels, hypodermic needles with an attached syringe barrel, and the like. It is generally against hospital policy and good medical practice to attempt to remove a sharp from its handle or syringe barrel because of the risk of needlestick or skin puncture and resultant contamination. Typically, sharps containment devices comprise a soft enveloping material having inadequate puncture resistance. In addition, current sharps containment devices may leak contaminated bodily fluids from the used sharp. Medical care facilities typically locate the sharps receptacle at a peripheral location within an area or room, and not at the point-of-use. There may be significant obstacles between the user and the sharps receptacle, including patient gurneys, beds, or examining tables; persons, such as patients, family members, visitors, and other health care workers; medical equipment such as IV poles and lines, monitors, wires, tubes, and other devices; or other furniture, fixtures, and equipment. This again creates the problem of the healthcare worker sticking a co-worker while moving the contaminated sharp to the disposal receptacle.  
           [0012]    A typical sharps collector and disposal device is mailbox-style container with or without a pull-down opening allowing access to the container. The user pulls the lid open, deposits the used sharp, and releases lid, which swings shut, much like mailing a letter. Mailbox-style containers without the pull-down opening have a tortuous path that the sharp must traverse to enter the container. The mailbox-style containers can be found in a variety of sizes and uses, such as in-hospital room containers, multi-purpose containers, mail-away containers, large volume and pharmacy containers, specialized containers, transportable containers, and the like.  
           [0013]    A typical problem with mailbox-style receptacles is that they are frequently overfilled with needles, such that the needles stick out of the containment container. In addition, it may be difficult to put certain types of sharps, such as butterfly needles, needles attached to syringes, suture needles, trocars, cannulae, and the like, into them. An overfilled mailbox-style receptacle may result in healthcare workers becoming cut and infected by an already disposed-of sharp when they try to insert a new sharp into the receptacle and force their hand on the protruding sharp object, or by the new sharp itself. An additional risk of the mailbox-style receptacle includes the user being stuck as the sharp is being placed into the unit due to the difficulty of inserting the sharp into the tortuous pathway opening.  
           [0014]    Not only are health care workers themselves at risk because of inadequate or unsafe disposal systems, but there are significant risks to housekeeping personnel within healthcare institutions and even to the public, who may encounter an improperly disposed, contaminated, unprotected, medical sharp device. Areas at risk include in-patient hospitals, outpatient facilities, emergency or ambulatory facilities, patient homes, offices, public restrooms, physician&#39;s offices, nursing homes, laboratories, emergency medical facilities, military facilities, helicopters, airplanes, airmedic facilities, employer facilities, hospice care facilities, needle dispensing facilities for heroin addicts and diabetics, and the like. Unprotected contaminated medical sharps are occasionally found in public areas such as public beaches, parks, and children&#39;s play areas.  
           [0015]    New devices, procedures, systems, and methods are needed for guarding, dispensing, and collecting contaminated sharps to minimize the risk of accidental wounding of healthcare workers and others by infectious, sharp devices. Such devices and procedures are particularly important in any medical setting including in-hospital, pre-hospital, outpatient, military, and the emergency department.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    This invention relates to devices to minimize the risk of infectious disease spread from one individual to another due to puncture wounds made by sharp, contaminated objects.  
           [0017]    An embodiment of the invention is a guard for sharps, or a sharp guard. Another embodiment of the invention is an integrated receiver and container assembly for point-of-use medical sharps containment and disposal. In one embodiment, a solid sheet of material is bi-folded to irreversibly, seal, blunt, sequester, entrap, or render useless, medical sharps. The bi-folded sharp guard structure includes optional tabs for grasping and removal from storage as well as optional tabs that may be folded over and adhered to further secure the entrapped medical sharp. The folding tabs may further comprise incomplete labeling that becomes complete when the tabs are folded over the sequestered sharp. The complete labeling indicates the presence of an entrapped contaminated medical sharp object. In an embodiment, the sharp guard is a single use, disposable device, which is not intended to be reprocessed by cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, or the like.  
           [0018]    In an embodiment, the sharp guard can be used at the point-of-use to protect or sequester sharp medical devices. The sharp guard may be used for most of the sharps commonly encountered in hospital, lab, ambulance, or office practice. These sharps include scalpel blades, hypodermic needles with or without an attached syringe barrel, trocars, cannulae, and the like. The sharp guard includes protection of the healthcare worker from the moment subsequent to use of a medical sharp on a patient until the point where it is physically placed in the disposal receptacle. Additionally, the sharp guard can be implemented economically using techniques such as thermoforming, injection molding, die stamping, and the like.  
           [0019]    In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus adapted for entrapment of medical sharps comprises a shell having an upper portion and a lower portion, an expandable hinge which connects the upper portion to the lower portion, and a pad affixed to the inside surface of the lower portion. The pad comprises an adhesive layer, and a gap-filling deformable layer disposed between the adhesive layer and the inside surface of the lower portion where a medical sharp set on the adhesive layer is trapped between the upper portion and the lower portion when the shell is closed.  
           [0020]    In another embodiment, the apparatus adapted for entrapment of medical sharps also comprises another pad affixed to the inside surface of the upper portion. In another embodiment, a pad for entrapment of a medical sharp comprises an adhesive layer; and a gap-filling deformable layer disposed below the adhesive layer, where the gap-filling deformable layer substantially deforms to the contour of the medical sharp to fill substantially all gaps around the contour of the medical sharp when the medical sharp is pressed into the adhesive layer.  
           [0021]    In another embodiment, a method of disposal for a used medical sharp comprises providing an open disposable sharps containment device at a point-of-use of a medical sharp, and placing the medical sharp onto the sharps containment device at the point-of-use, where the medical sharp comprises a sharp portion and a blunt portion. The method further comprises closing the sharps containment device at the point-of-use, where the sharp portion is embedded within the containment device, and the blunt portion protrudes from the closed containment device. The method further comprises transporting the containment device including the embedded medical sharp to a medical waste disposal container remotely located from the point-of-use of the medical sharp.  
           [0022]    In a further embodiment, an apparatus adapted for entrapment of medical sharps comprises a dispenser at the point-of-use of the medical sharp, where the dispenser contains a plurality of medical sharp containment devices. Each medical sharp containment device comprises a bi-folded puncture resistant shell; and at least one adhesive pad attached to the inside of the shell. The dispenser presents the medical sharp containment device to a user for placement of a used medical sharp therein, and the dispenser presents another medical sharp containment device only upon removal of the first medical sharp containment device.  
           [0023]    Another embodiment of the invention is a system comprising a sharp guard, a distributed sharp guard dispenser for dispensing unused sharp guards, and a sharp guard receptacle for receiving sharp guards containing a sharp.  
           [0024]    In an embodiment, a sharp guard can be obtained from one of numerous dispensers affixed to walls or counter surfaces. The sharp guard, in another embodiment, is obtained from a transportable kit and is dispensed at the point of use. The dispensers work either manually or automatically. The sharp guard is used to safely render the sharp object unable to puncture another individual. Finally, in an embodiment, the protected sharp and sharp guard are discarded into a specially designed sharps receptacle. The sharp guard, in another embodiment, is included in prepackaged sterile surgical, suture, or procedure kits. Both the dispenser and the receptacle include optional visual monitoring, through windows or other indicators, so that the contents and fill level can be determined easily. The receptacle further includes a closure or seal for final disposal.  
           [0025]    The sharp guard is comprised of a sheet or sheets of material that are capable of embedding, entrapping, folding over, sequestering, and otherwise rendering the sharp object harmless, unusable, and blunt. The sharp guard is, in an embodiment, a sheet of bi-folded material such as, but not limited to, cardboard, polystyrene, foamed polymer, or the like, that is folded in half over the sharp object and sealed permanently so that the sharp object cannot be removed, exposed, or otherwise used. The sharp guard includes, in an embodiment, tabs that close over the bi-folded sheet and lock or adhere to complete the closure. Labeling affixed to the surface of the sharp guard indicates when the sharp guard is undeployed, and when it is in its deployed and sealed state with biological waste entrapped therein.  
           [0026]    In another embodiment, the sharp guard system comprises a bi-folded sheet of protective material that is presented to the medical caregiver by its dispenser. When one sharp guard is used and removed from the dispenser, another sharp guard protective, automatically or, is positioned for use in protecting another sharp. The medical caregiver places the contaminated sharp against the protective sheet of material and presses the sharp against the fold. The dispenser causes the protective cover to fold over the sharp under the influence of downward manual pressure and coercion from side compression members on the dispenser. The protective cover finally closes and irreversibly seals over the sharp. The disabled sharp and its protective cover are removed from the dispenser and placed in a receptacle. Another sharp protective cover moves into place for ready to receive another sharp.  
           [0027]    Materials for the protective cover for the sharp guard include, but are not limited to, foamed polymers, cardboard, polymer sheets, and the like. The internal surfaces of the sharp protective cover are preferably fabricated from adhesive materials that entrap and grab the sharp and cause the closed sharp protective cover to remain sealed over the sharp. Active foaming materials are also desirable so that the presence of the metal sharp or any liquids causes a catalytic reaction that actively foams the side of the protective cover toward the sharp and encases the sharp in foam which seals to the other side of the bi-folded protective cover or simply seals the sharp. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the fold of the bi-folded protective sheet comprises multiple creases to accommodate sharp devices of various thicknesses. Such multiple creases may comprise, for example, an accordion, “U”, “Z”, “V”, or “W” shaped configuration.  
           [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, the same device is used for dispensing and disposal of the Sharp Guard, and is easily, and quickly replaced when empty of new, unused product or full of used product. A user has a visual indication that the receptacle is full and that no additional sharps can be added to the receptacle. The system is foolproof and clear even to an untrained user that no additional sharps, even protected sharps, can be added. The receptacle is designed so that users can easily tell when it is full so they will not inadvertently cut themselves trying to stuff an already full container with yet another sharp. In yet another embodiment, the receptacle opening is rendered closed when it has been loaded with enough protected sharps to fill it. The sharp guard system is, preferably, a completely disposable system and is an acceptable end-receptacle for medical sharps that can be placed directly into the medical waste system without requiring an intermediate sharps container as is required by most current systems and devices. The protective covers are disposable, the dispenser is disposable, and the receptacle is disposable. All items are fabricated from materials that may be incinerated in the medical waste system.  
           [0029]    Both the dispenser and the receptacle are preferably configured to permit access to a sharp guard with only one hand and further, to dispose of a sharp guard and entrapped sharp with only one hand. The one-handed functionality is preferably achieved by opening the dispenser or receptacle with only one hand and then placing the sharp guard within the receptacle with one hand only. This one-handed functionality relies on dispenser and receptacle opening systems that store energy and use the stored energy to open the dispenser or receptacle lid using hand or finger pressure. If the user prefers, two-handed operation is equally safe and effective.  
           [0030]    In yet another embodiment of the sharp guard system, a healthcare provider may carry around a portable encapsulator. The portable encapsulator may be hooked to the belt, placed in a pocket, hung around the neck, etc., of the healthcare provider. The portable encapsulator comprises an openable shell, a reservoir of encapsulation material, an activation mechanism, and a hardening system. In this embodiment, the lid of the shell is opened, the sharp is placed into the shell and the lid is closed. Encapsulation material flows around the sharp and into a pre-configured mold area. The encapsulation material is then hardened to form a rigid blunt barrier around the sharp. The encapsulation system comprises material such as, but not limited to, ultra-violet (UV) curable adhesives such as those made from polyurethane, two-part epoxies, hardening foams, gels, and the like. The hardening system comprises, for example, an ultraviolet light that activates hardening of the UV curable adhesive. The key feature of this and other embodiments is that the sharp guard is available at the point-of-use.  
           [0031]    Because the sharp guard is simple to use, there is minimal training involved and very low risk of error that could cause inadvertent injury. Its design makes it very difficult to use it incorrectly, and its correct use minimizes the risk of injury to healthcare workers. By product design, contaminated sharps are directed away from potential contact with users until the sharp is enclosed in the device. Once enclosed, accidental contact with the sharp is virtually impossible during normal use and activity. Hospital and healthcare workers can be trained and policies can be set to ensure that all workers are fully aware of the procedures necessary to make the sharp guard system functional. The implementation cost of the sharp guard system is minimal and the time to train is less than 30 minutes per trainee and, preferably, less than 10-15 minutes per trainee.  
           [0032]    The policy to use the sharp guard comprises making the policy available on a proactive basis to all primary and ancillary personnel involved with sharps. The policy emphasizes the need to keep sharp guard systems near the point of use, including available in or around the sterile or operative field. The policy further requires that all sharps are encased or protected within a sharp guard prior to placing them in a sharps receptacle, or directly into the hospital medical waste system without an intermediate sharps receptacle. The policy preferably comprises the step of not moving your feet, as a sharps user, between when the sharp is used and when it is encased or entrapped within a sharp guard. The policy further requires that the medical sharp be encapsulated prior to turning or rotating the body when a used medical sharp is in a user&#39;s hand. Reinforcement of the policy will be an ongoing effort. The policy further comprises steps to ensure that sharp guard dispensers are maintained with unused sharp guards always available and that sharp guard receptacles never become completely full before they are emptied or disposed of. In addition, a label is preferably provided on the receptacle that indicates that the receptacle is for placement of sharp guard protected sharps only.  
           [0033]    For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.  
           [0034]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0035]    A general architecture that implements the various features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 1A illustrates an oblique view of a flat un-deployed sharp guard, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 1B illustrates an oblique view of the sharp guard in its open, deployed state, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 1C illustrates an oblique view of the sharp guard in the closed state with a hypodermic needle trapped therein, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of the sharp guard in its undeployed flat configuration, according to another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 2B illustrates a side cutaway view of a folded sharp guard showing additional details of an entrapment pad, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 3 illustrates an oblique view of a stack or plurality of un-deployed, flat sharp guards, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4A illustrates an oblique view of a sharp guard dispenser with a plurality of un-deployed sharp guards loaded therein, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 4B illustrates an oblique cut away view of the sharp guard dispenser filled with a plurality of un-deployed sharp guards, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 4C illustrates an oblique view of the sharp guard dispenser with a sharp guard being removed, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 5 illustrates an oblique view of another embodiment of a dispenser for sharp guards comprising a single central opening on the top of the dispenser and a one-hand operated spring-loaded lid.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 6A illustrates an oblique view of a sharp guard dispenser attached to the rail of a hospital bed, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 6B illustrates an oblique view of the sharp guard dispenser attached to a bed stand, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 7A illustrates an oblique view of the sharp guard receptacle with a sharp guard being inserted, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 7B illustrates an oblique view of the sharp guard receptacle, which has become full and can no longer accept new sharp guards, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 8 illustrates an oblique view of another embodiment of a receptacle for sharp guards comprising a single opening and a single area to hold the sharps.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 9A illustrates a sharp guard delivery system, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 9B illustrates another embodiment of a sharp guard delivery system comprising a bracket to hold the dispenser and the receptacle.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0053]    In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of embodiments of a sharp guard system is described herein. In order to fully specify this preferred design, various embodiment specific details are set forth, such as the shape and size of the receptacle as well as the dispenser. It should be understood, however that these details are provided only to illustrate the presented embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 1A illustrates an oblique view of an embodiment of a sharp guard  10  in the fully open or flat configuration. The sharp guard  10  comprises an upper support  12 , a hinge area  14 , a lower support  16 , a plurality of optional folding tabs  18 , and a pull-tab  20 . The upper support  12 , the hinge area  14 , the lower support  16 , the optional folding tabs  18  and the pull-tab  20  of the sharp guard  10  are permanently affixed to each other and are, preferably, fabricated from the same piece of material in a unitary structure.  
         [0055]    In an embodiment, the upper support  12 , the hinge area  14 , the lower support  16 , the optional folding tabs  18  and the pull-tab  20  are fabricated from puncture resistant thermoplastic materials including, but not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like. In another embodiment, other puncture resistant materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, paper, polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, cork, synthetic composites, polyester, and the like, may be used. Because of its minimal cost and easy manufacturability, polystyrene sheet is the preferred material for fabrication of the upper support  12  and the lower support  16 , including any tabs  18 .  
         [0056]    In another embodiment, the upper support  12 , the hinge area  14 , the lower support  16 , the optional folding tabs  18  and the pull-tab  20  are laminated with puncture resistant materials, such as ceramics, metals, or polymers. Exemplary laminate materials include, but are not limited to, low density polyethylene, polyester, polyimide, polyamides, stainless steel, stainless steel mesh, Kevlar, aluminum, and the like.  
         [0057]    Fabrication processes for upper support  12 , the hinge area  14 , the lower support  16 , the optional folding tabs  18  and the pull-tab  20  include, but are not limited to, extrusion, injection molding, insert molding, thermoforming, and the like.  
         [0058]    The sharp guard  10  further comprises an upper adhesive region  24  and a lower adhesive region  26 . The upper and lower adhesive regions  24  and  26 , respectively, are permanently adhered to the upper support  12  and the lower support  16  and comprise an embedding adhesive material. The upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26  are configured to permanently and irreversibly bond to each other and entrap or sequester the sharp therein when the sharp guard  10  is folded closed over a sharp. Further, the embedding adhesive of the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26  not only sticks to itself and an entrapped sharp, but deforms and completely conforms to and surrounds the sharp. The adhesive is malleable and deforms to surround and fill any gaps or spaces that may be created around a large diameter sharp. The adhesive regions  24  and  26  preferably do not extend into the hinge area  14 . The gap-filling nature maximizes adhesive contact surface area on the sharp and seals the sharp to prevent fluid leakage or spillage.  
         [0059]    In an embodiment, the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26  are thick and flowably or malleably deformable. Thus, when a thick sharp is enclosed within the sharp guard  10 , the adhesive regions  24  and  26  flow aside and permit full entrapment of the large sharp with no air gaps extending to the exterior of the upper support  12  or lower support  16 .  
         [0060]    Further, such prevention or minimization of air gaps will prevent smaller sharps that are placed within the sharp guard  10  from inadvertently falling out through the air gap route to the exterior of the sharp guard  10 .  
         [0061]    The upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26  are fabricated from adhesives that permanently adhere to the upper support  12  and the lower support  16 , respectively. Examples of the embedding adhesive utilize or comprise base materials of acrylics, acrylate polymers, polychloroprenes, cyanoacrylates, and the like. In an embodiment, the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26  are approximately 0.01 inch to approximately 2.0 inches thick, and preferably 0.1 inch to approximately 0.5 inch thick.  
         [0062]    In another embodiment, the embedding adhesive is laminated onto a foam, which is preferably malleably deformable to accommodate sharps of varying size and thickness. This is to enhance bond strength, which is dependent upon the amount of adhesive-to-surface contact developed. Examples of the foam are closed cell polyvinyl chloride foam (vinyls), styrene block copolymer (SBC), polyurethane, polyester, open cell polyvinyl chloride foam (vinyls), styrene block copolymer (SBC), and the like. In an embodiment, the foam is approximately 0.1 inch to approximately 2.0 inches thick, and preferably 0.25 inch to approximately 1.5 inches thick.  
         [0063]    In another embodiment, the embedding adhesive is laminated onto a gel, which is preferably malleably deformable to accommodate sharps of varying size and thickness. Examples of the gel are sealant type materials utilizing a base material of epoxy, acrylic, nitrile, hydrophilic hydrogel, collagen, and the like. In an embodiment, the gel is approximately 0.1 inch to approximately 2.0 inches thick, and preferably 0.25 inch to approximately 1.5 inches thick.  
         [0064]    In yet another embodiment, the adhesive, gel or foam is affixed only at or near the exterior of the sharp guard  10  to prevent exit routes for the sharps while maintaining a lower overall device cost.  
         [0065]    In another embodiment, the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26  comprise an absorbent material, such as, but not limited to, carboxymethyl cellulose, cotton, paper, sea sponge, hydrophilic hydrogel, wood cellulose fiber, cellulosic-based fiber granules, absorbent polyacrylate, wood pulp/polypropylene/cellulose, wood pulp and other fiber blends with polypropylene, polyester and polyethylene, and the like. In addition, specialized absorbent and foaming materials such as, but not limited to, encapsulated monosodium citrate and an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt thereof could also be utilized. Specific applications may contain any combination of components such as carboxy-methyl cellulose, polypropylene, non-woven polyethylene film laminate, cellulose/polyester, non-woven polyester microfiber, polyethylene coated film or paper and polyester packing pouches.  
         [0066]    The sharp guard  10  further comprises an adhesive cover strip  28  on the exposed surface of the adhesive regions  24  and  26 . The adhesive cover strip  28  further comprises an adhesive cover strip pull-tab  34 . The adhesive cover strip  28  and its integral adhesive cover strip pull-tab  34  cover the adhesive regions  24  and  26  until such time as the adhesive cover strip  28  is removed and the sharp guard  10  is ready for a medical sharp object to be adhered and sandwiched between the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26 . The adhesive cover strip pull-tab  34  is designed to facilitate easy grasping by the user and enables the user to lift the adhesive cover strip  28  to fully uncover the adhesive regions  24  and  26 . It is preferable that the adhesive cover strip  28  be removed from both the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26  using a single motion on the part of the user. Thus, in an embodiment, a single pull-tab  34  controls the cover strips  28  over both the upper adhesive  24  and the lower adhesive  26 .  
         [0067]    The adhesive cover strip  28  and the adhesive cover strip pull-tab  34  are preferably a unitary structure and comprise materials that do not adhere to the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26 . Such materials depend on the nature of the embedding adhesive material used in the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26 . In an embodiment, polytetrafluoroethylene, other fluoropolymers, metal foils, and the like, are suitable materials for the adhesive cover strip  28  and the adhesive cover strip pull-tab  34 .  
         [0068]    The pull-tab  20  is designed to facilitate easy grasping of the sharp guard  10  by the user and enables the user to remove the sharp guard  10  from a sharp guard dispenser.  
         [0069]    The flat configuration illustrated in FIG. 1A is the configuration in which the sharp guard  10  is manufactured and most compactly stored prior to use. The sharp guard is sized so that it can encapsulate the majority of medical sharps. In an embodiment, the length of the sharp guard  10  from the upper support  12  to the tab  20  is between approximately 0.5 inch and approximately 10 inches, preferably is between approximately 2 inches and approximately 7 inches and most preferably is between approximately 3 inches and approximately 5 inches. In an embodiment, the width of the sharp guard  10  from an outside edge of one tab  18  to an outside edge of an opposite tab  18  is between approximately 0.5 inch and approximately 10 inches, preferably is between approximately 2 inches and approximately 7 inches and most preferably is between approximately 3 inches and approximately 5 inches.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 1B illustrates an oblique view of an embodiment of the sharp guard  10  in a partially folded and partially open configuration. The sharp guard  10  comprises the upper support  12 , the hinge area  14 , the lower support  16 , optional folding tabs  18 , and the pull-tab  20 .  
         [0071]    In an embodiment, the hinge area  14  is integrated with the upper support  12  and the lower support  14 , and is height adjustable. The hinge area  14  is height adjustable to permit the sharp guard  10  to accommodate sharps of varying thickness. Typically, a medical sharp comprises a sharp portion connected to a blunt portion. Sharp portions are, for example, needles, scalpel blades, trocars, tubes, wires and other medical procedure devices, objects or instruments, which can penetrate the skin, and the like. Blunt portions are, for example, handles, syringe bodies, tubing, connectors, catheters, specialized containers, and the like. Typically, once used, the entire medical sharp is thrown away.  
         [0072]    The hinge area  14  is preferably fabricated by creating creases or thin areas in the upper support  12  and the lower support  14 , which are, preferably, fabricated from the same piece of material. In an embodiment, the hinge area  14  comprises a complex hinge or multiple hinges. In an embodiment, the hinge area  14  comprises a single crease or region of material thinness. In another embodiment, the hinge area  14  is a doubly creased area forming a “U” shape or a book hinge. In a further embodiment, the hinge area  14  is a “W” folded or tri-folded configuration capable of expanding substantially. In another embodiment, the hinge area  14  is an accordion fold or z-fold that comprises a plurality of hinges to allow the hinge area  14  to expand substantially or compress substantially. Since the thickness of a sharp to be embedded is variable, the hinge  14  accommodates a wide range of thicknesses and still allows the upper support  12  and the lower support  16  to be substantially parallel to each other when the sharp guard  10  is closed around the sharp. The accordion fold or other multiply creased hinge  14  provides for such parallelism in the closure of the upper support  12  and the lower support  16 .  
         [0073]    In an embodiment, the thickness of the folded, unexpanded hinge area  14  is between approximately 0.1 inch and 0.25 inch. When expanded, the hinge  14  is between approximately 0.1 inch and 2 inches, and preferably is between 0.25 inch and 1.5 inches.  
         [0074]    [0074]FIG. 1C illustrates an oblique view of an embodiment of the sharp guard  10  in a closed configuration with a sharp medical object  30  embedded therein. Typically, a healthcare worker places the used medical sharp  30  into the lower adhesive region  26  and folds the upper support  12  over the lower support  16 . The upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26  adhere together, embedding the sharp  30 . The upper support  12 , the hinge area  14 , and the lower support  16  form a puncture resistant shell or case around the embedded sharp  30 .  
         [0075]    In an embodiment, the health care worker can also fold the optional tabs  18  over the upper support  12  to provide additional sealing of the sharp guard  10 .  
         [0076]    In an embodiment, the optional tabs  18  comprise snaps or locks to provide audible and tactile feedback that the sharp guard  10  is closed around the sharp. The snaps or locks preferably irreversibly lock the sharp guard  10  closed. These locks may be molded into the structure and comprise tapers that facilitate intermeshing of the sharp guard  10  surfaces and overhangs or catches that prevent disengagement of the locked sharp guard  10 .  
         [0077]    Thus, the sharp guard  10  protects the healthcare worker from needlesticks, punctures, and cuts caused by the contaminated sharp  30 . The sharp guard  10  is applied to the contaminated sharp  30  at the point of use, which may, in an embodiment, generally be described as a location wherein the user does not have to move their feet or turn to apply the sharp guard  10  to the contaminated sharp  30 .  
         [0078]    The sharp guard  10  further comprises a label  22 . The label  22  preferably comprises a standard biohazard symbol and a notation that the contents may be pathogenic or contaminated with medical waste. In one embodiment, the label  22  is affixed to the outer surface of the upper support  12 . In yet another embodiment, the label  22  affixed to the underside of the plurality of optional folding tabs  18  so that when the tabs are folded over the upper support  12 , their edges are adjacent and a complete statement is legible. When the tabs  18  are open, the part of the label  22  on each tab  18  is incomplete and does not display a coherent message. In an embodiment, the lower adhesive area  26  extends onto the upper surfaces of the tabs  18  and serves as a permanent and irreversible closure for the tabs  18  when they are folded over the outside of the upper support  12 .  
         [0079]    The sharp guard  10 , in another embodiment, further comprises an adhesive catalyst  32 . In an embodiment, the adhesive catalyst  32  is located on the outer surface proximate to the hinge area  14 . In another embodiment, the adhesive catalyst  32  is proximate to and over the hinge area  14 . The adhesive catalyst  32  promotes adhesion between the employed sharp guard  10  and a sharp guard receptacle when the employed sharp guard  10  is placed in the sharp guard receptacle.  
         [0080]    [0080]FIG. 2A illustrates another embodiment of the sharp guard  10 . The sharp guard  10  comprises the upper support  12 , the hinge area  14 , and the lower support  16 . The upper support  12  further comprises a plurality of protrusions  106 , and a flat area  108  having an optional raised stiffening rim  110 . The raised rim  110  is slightly raised to maximize structural stiffness and rigidity. The lower support  16  further comprises a plurality of circular depressions  104 , and a raised area  100  having an optional recess  102 .  
         [0081]    The protrusions  106  and the raised stiffening rim  110  on the upper support  12  are aligned with the circular depressions  104  and the recess  102  on the lower support  16  such that when the sharp guard  10  is folded over the sharp  30 , the protrusions  106  and the raised stiffening rim  110  fit snugly within and intermesh with the circular depressions  104  and the recess  102 , respectively. In an embodiment, the protrusions  106  latch into the depressions  104  when the sharp guard  10  is closed. In an embodiment, the protrusions irreversibly  106  latch into the depressions  104  when the sharp guard  10  is closed.  
         [0082]    In another embodiment, the flat area  108  comprises slots, wells, or cutouts that accept the raised area  100  and permit the raised area  100  to project beyond the plane of the flat area  108  of the bi-folded surfaces.  
         [0083]    The sharp guard  10  further comprises the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26 . The upper adhesive region  24  is level with the flat area  108 . The lower adhesive region  26  sets in a depression surrounded by the raised area  100 . In an embodiment, the upper adhesive region  12  and the lower adhesive region  16  comprise an embedding adhesive material such as polyurethane-based adhesives, acrylics, acrylate polymers, polychoroprenes, cyanoacrylates, and the like. The lower adhesive region  26  optionally comprises holes, openings, or fenestrations  158  which permit diffusion or absorption of fluid from the embedded sharp  30  into a region separated from the sharp  30  by the lower adhesive region  26 .  
         [0084]    In an embodiment, the lower adhesive region  26  further comprises an absorbent spun material, such as, for example compounds of methyl cellulose, cotton, paper, polyester, polypropylene non-woven/polyethylene film laminate, cellulose/polyester, non-woven polyester microfiber, polyethylene coated film or paper, polyester packing pouches, and the like, under the embedding adhesive material. In another embodiment, the spun material comprises absorbent additives, such as, for example, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydrophilic hydrogel, sea sponge, wood cellulose fiber, cellulosic-based fiber granules, absorbent polyacrylate, wood pulp/polypropylene/cellulose, wood pulp and other fiber blends with polypropylene, polyester and polyethylene, and the like. In addition, special absorbent materials may be added such as, but not limited to, encapsulated monosodium citrate and an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt thereof and the like. In an embodiment, the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26  further comprise the absorbent spun material.  
         [0085]    In yet another embodiment, the lower adhesive region  26  further comprises a foaming material, such as, but not limited to, encapsulated monosodium citrate and an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt thereof, and the like, under the embedding adhesive material. The foaming material foams in the presence of the metal sharp  30  or any liquids present with the used metal sharp  30 , to further contain the used sharp  30 . In another embodiment, the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26  further comprise the foaming material.  
         [0086]    In yet another embodiment, the lower adhesive region  26  further comprises a cover. The cover facilitates contact with the deformable and/or absorptive material of the upper and/or lower adhesive regions  24 ,  26 . In an embodiment, the cover may be treated with an adhesive. In an embodiment, the cover material may be a fine denier woven or non-woven spinable polyester. In yet another embodiment, the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26  further comprise the cover.  
         [0087]    In another embodiment, the sharp guard  10  further comprises a lower opening  112 . The lower opening  112  is located along an edge of the lower support  16  at a break in the raised area  100 . The lower adhesive region  26  extends into the lower opening  112 . The upper adhesive region  24  extends into the flat area  108 . The lower opening  112  and the upper adhesive region  24  which extends into the flat area  108  are aligned such that the upper adhesive region  24  which extends into the flat area  108  sets over the lower opening  112  when the user closes the sharp guard  10 .  
         [0088]    In another embodiment, the lower adhesive region  26  comprises a pad  150 . FIG. 2B illustrates a cross section of the sharp guard  10  comprising the pad  150 . The pad  150  comprises an adhesive layer  152  comprising materials such as acrylics, acrylate polymers, polychoroprenes, cyanoacrylates, and the like. The adhesive layer  152  adheres to the sharp  30 , the upper adhesive region  24 , and itself when the sharp guard  10  is closed around the sharp  30  to embed and entrap the sharp  30  within the sharp guard  10 .  
         [0089]    In another embodiment the pad  150  further comprises a gap-filling deformable layer  154  disposed between the adhesive layer  152  and an inside surface of the lower support  16 . Examples of a gap-filling deformable material include, but are not limited to hydrogel, soft foams of polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, or polyester, closed cell polyvinyl chloride foams (vinyls), polystyrenes, styrene block copolymer (SBC), polyurethanes, polyesters, or the like. The gap-filling deformable layer  154  deforms when the sharp  30  is embedded or pressed into the pad  150  to substantially fill any gaps surrounding the sharp  30 . The deformation is either resilient or the result of irreversible crushing of the gap-filling material. This further contains sharps  30  of varying sizes and diameters within the sharp guard  10  when the sharp guard  10  is closed. The gap-filling deformable layer  154  expands to fill an interior space of the closed sharp guard  10  having the embedded sharp  30  such that there are substantially no gaps in the closed, employed sharp guard  10 .  
         [0090]    In an embodiment, the pad  150  further comprises an absorbent layer  156  disposed below the adhesive layer  152 , comprising materials such as, for example, wood cellulose fiber, cellulosic-based fiber granules, absorbent polyacrylate, wood pulp/polypropylene/cellulose, wood pulp, or the like. In another embodiment, the pad  150  comprises a composite, an integrally distributed, or an itemized absorbent material, such as, for example, particles of carboxymethyl cellulose suspended in open-celled polyurethane foam, air-laid paper, wood cellulose fiber, cellulosic-based fiber granules, absorbent polyacrylate, wood pulp/polypropylene/cellulose, wood pulp and other fiber blends with polypropylene, polyester and polyethylene, or the like. The absorbent layer  156  or the absorbent materials substantially absorb any fluids contained on and/or in the used sharp  30  to prevent fluids from leaking from the closed sharp guard  10 . The adhesive layer  152 , in an embodiment, is perforated or fenestrated with openings  158  to permit fluid flow or diffusion into the layers below.  
         [0091]    In another embodiment, the upper adhesive region  24  comprises the pad  150 . In a further embodiment, the upper adhesive region  24  and the lower adhesive region  26  each comprise the pad  150 .  
         [0092]    In an embodiment, the sharp guard  10  has a orientation edge or guide to assist the healthcare professional with proper alignment of a syringe body and other pharmaceutical injection or infusion devices into the sharp guard  10 . This ensures that needles, catheters and other elongated medical sharps are properly orientated for maximum containment with the sharp guard  10 .  
         [0093]    The raised area  100  forms a raised ridge with respect to the lower adhesive region  26  to prevent the sharp from inadvertently being poked out of the edge of the sharp guard  10 . The ridge or raised edge forms a material barrier to the sharp  30  around much of the perimeter of the folded sharp guard  10 . The ridge or raised edge preferably does not extend through the lower opening  112  where the medical sharp  30  is inserted and a handle or other blunt portion may project out of the sharp guard  10 . This is especially useful in the context of large syringes or scalpels. The intermeshing of the raised rim  110  and protrusions  106  with the recess  102  and the depressions  104  provides a barrier against sharps penetration.  
         [0094]    Referring to FIG. 2A, the hinge area  14  is preferably fabricated by creating creases or thin areas in the upper support  12  and the lower support  16 , which are, preferably, fabricated from the same piece of material. In an embodiment, the hinge area  14  is an accordion fold that comprises a plurality of hinges to allow the hinge area  14  to expand substantially or compress substantially. Since the thickness of the sharp  30  to be embedded is variable, the hinge  14  accommodates a wide range of thicknesses and still allows the upper support  12  and the lower support  16  to be substantially parallel to each other when the sharp guard  10  is closed around the sharp  30 . The accordion fold or other multiply creased hinge area  14  provides for such parallelism in the closure of the upper support  12  and the lower support  16 .  
         [0095]    In an embodiment, the thickness of the hinge area  14  is between approximately 0.1 inch and 0.25 inch. When expanded, the thickness of the hinge area  14  is between approximately 0.1 inch and 2 inches, and preferably is between 0.25 inch and 1.5 inches.  
         [0096]    In another embodiment of the sharp guard  10 , a pouch fabricated from materials including, but not limited to, Tyvek, polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like is heat sealed around the sharp guard  10  and the sharp guard  10  is sterilized using ethylene oxide, gamma irradiation, or the like. The sharp guards  10  are preferably separately bagged or pouched and irradiated for single use in a sterile environment. In an embodiment, the pouch is a typical heat-sealed chevron-style or other style pouch known in the art as aseptic packaging that may be opened and the sterile sharp guard  10  contents spilled or dumped into the sterile field using aseptic procedure. By this method, the sharp guards  10  may be deployed onto a sterile field for use when needed.  
         [0097]    In yet another embodiment, the sharp guards  10  are double pouched in a manner known as double aseptic packaging. A double-pouched sharp guard is a sterile safeguard  10  pouched in a first sterile pouch, and then the pouched safe guard  10  is pouched in a second sterile pouch.  
         [0098]    [0098]FIG. 3 illustrates an oblique view of a stack  36  sharp guards  10 . In an embodiment, the stack  36  comprises between 1 and 100 sharp guards  10 . In another embodiment, the stack  36  comprises between 5 and 50 sharp guards  10 , and in yet another embodiment, the stack  36  comprises between 10 and 30 sharp guards  10 . In a further embodiment, the stack  36  comprises more than 100 sharp guards  10 . The stack  36  facilitates shipping, storage, and dispensing of the sharp guards  10 . The sharp guards  10  may be non-sterile or they may be bagged or pouched and sterile.  
         [0099]    [0099]FIG. 4A illustrates an oblique view of a dispenser  40  for sharp guards  10 . The dispenser  40  comprises a case  42 , a mount  44 , a window  46 , and an opening  48 . The dispenser  40  is loaded with a plurality of sharp guards  10 .  
         [0100]    The mount  44  is affixed to the case  42  and is used to removably affix the case  42  to another object such as a table, bed, wall, or the like. The window  46  is affixed to the case  42  and permits viewing of the sharp guards  10  or other contents of the case  42 . The opening  48  is a penetration through the case  42  and may be located on the front of the case  42 , on the top of the case  42 , or it may be positioned partially on the top and partially on the front of the case  42 , as shown in FIG. 4A.  
         [0101]    In an embodiment, the case  42  of the dispenser  40  is fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester terephthalate (PET), acrilonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene, copolymers of the aforementioned, metal, sealed wood, cardboard, or any other material suitable for a container. In an embodiment, the preferred material is PET, cardboard, or polystyrene because of the low manufacturing cost of these materials. Preferred manufacturing methods for the case  42  include, but are not limited to, lamination, blow molding, extrusion, injection molding, thermoforming, and the like.  
         [0102]    The mount  44  comprises non-permanent adhesives, magnets, clips, clamps, or the like. The mount  44  is configured to allow the case  42  to be mounted to a wall, tabletop, bed rail, or any other surface or structure commonly found in a hospital, ambulance, or other medical facility.  
         [0103]    [0103]FIG. 4B illustrates a cut-away image of an oblique view of the dispenser  40 . The dispenser  40  comprises a plurality of sharp guards  10 . Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4B, the sharp guards  10  are arranged in the stack  36 . The sharp guards  10  in the stack  36  may be sterile and separately pouched or they may be non-sterile. In an embodiment, the sharp guards  10  are labeled with full Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and International Standards Organization (ISO) specified labeling to characterize the device and the sterile or non-sterile nature of the device.  
         [0104]    [0104]FIG. 4C illustrates an oblique view of the dispenser  40  with the sharp guard  10  being removed through the opening  48 . The dispenser  10  further comprises an optional lid closure  50 . The lid closure  50  is hinged to the case  42  so that it may be opened and closed. The lid closure  50  further comprises an optional lock to hold the lid closure  50  closed against the case  42 . In an embodiment, the lid closure  50  comprises a spring to bias the lid closure  50  in the open position. The lock holding the lid closure  50  closed comprises a release button that may be depressed with a single finger. Depressing the lock releases the lid closure  50  and the spring causes the lid closure  50  to open, thus the lid closure  50  is operable with a single press of the hand or finger. The same hand may be used to remove the sharp guard  10  from the dispenser  40 . The lid closure  50  may then be closed by a single hand or finger and the lock holds the lid closure  50  closed.  
         [0105]    [0105]FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the dispenser  40  for sharp guards  10  comprising the case  42 , the opening  48 , the lid closure  50 , a latch or lock  49 , and the plurality of undeployed sharp guards  10 . In this embodiment, the opening  48  is arrayed generally centrally on a top surface of the case  42 . The lid closure  50  is preferably biased open by a spring. The spring may be a leaf spring, a coil spring, or any other type of spring. The latch or lock  49  is operable by simple pressure with a single finger and depression of the lock  49  causes the lid closure  50  to open by stored force in the spring and permits access to the contents of the case  42 . The latch or lock  49  is, in an embodiment, a simple molded catch or protrusion that engages with a feature on the case  42  and prevents the lid closure  50  from opening. Depression of the latch or lock  49  causes the catch or protrusion to become disengaged with the case  42  and allows the spring to move the lid closure  50  to the open position. The lid closure  50  may then be closed with a single hand and the latch or lock  49  engages with the case  42  when the lid closure  50  is pushed closed. The stored force to open the lid closure  50  may be generated by methods such as, but not limited to, a spring, a magnet, a motor, hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, and the like.  
         [0106]    In an embodiment, the dispenser  40  presents the user with the open sharp guard  10 . The medical caregiver places the contaminated sharp  30  against the lower adhesive region  26  and presses the sharp  30  against the fold or hinge area  14 . The dispenser  40  causes the protective covers of the upper and lower supports  12 ,  14  to fold over the sharp  30  under the influence of downward manual pressure and coercion from side compression members on the dispenser  40 . The sharp guard  10  finally closes and irreversibly seals over the sharp  30 . The disabled sharp  30  and its protective cover or sharp guard  10  are removed from the dispenser  40  and placed in a receptacle. Another sharp guard  10  moves into place to contain another sharp  30 . In another embodiment, the closing action for the sharp guard  10  may be derived from an active source such as a motor, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, or the like.  
         [0107]    [0107]FIG. 6A illustrates a hospital bed  90  comprising a plurality of bed rails  92  and a plurality of bed posts  94 . The sharp guard dispenser  40  is attached to one of the bed rails  92  for easy access by medical personnel.  
         [0108]    [0108]FIG. 6B illustrates a bed stand  100  with the sharp guard dispenser  40  attached thereto. Attachment to the bed stand  100  is performed by means of a clamp, clip, Velcro, adhesive, or other fastening method. The attachment is reversible in that the dispenser  40  is removed once it is empty and the dispenser  40  is replaced by one containing at least one sharp guard  10 .  
         [0109]    [0109]FIG. 7A illustrates a receptacle  60  for used sharp guards  10 , comprising a case  62 , a plurality of openings  64 , an optional window  66 , a bracket or mount  67 , and a lid closure  68 . The sharp guard  10  is shown comprising the medical sharp object  30 . The receptacle  60  is sized to fit sharp guards  10  and used entrapped medical sharps  30 .  
         [0110]    In an embodiment, the case  62  of the receptacle  60  is fabricated from materials including, but not limited to, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester terephthalate (PET), acrilonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene, copolymers of the aforementioned, metal, sealed wood, cardboard, or any other material suitable for a container. The preferred material is PET, cardboard, or polystyrene because of the low manufacturing cost of these materials. Preferred manufacturing methods for the case  42  include, but are not limited to, lamination, blow molding, extrusion, injection molding, or the like. The bracket or mount  67  comprises releasable or non-permanent adhesives, magnets, Velcro, clips, clamps, snaps, bayonet mount, screw mounts, or the like.  
         [0111]    In an embodiment, the optional window  66 , which can be either open or sealed with transparent polymer, allows the user to visually monitor the contents and fill level.  
         [0112]    In another embodiment, the receptacle  60  further comprises a seal  124 . In an embodiment, the seal  124  is located on the lid closure  68 . When the medical sharps receptacle  60  is full, the user closes the lid  68  and enables the seal  124  to prevent the receptacle  60  from opening. The receptacle  60  is then discarded. By this means, a user cannot attempt to discard a used sharp guard  10  in the full receptacle  60 , as the opening  64  is sealed shut.  
         [0113]    [0113]FIG. 7B illustrates the receptacle  60  with the sharp guard  10  inserted into every opening  64 . Not only can the user see that each opening  64  is filled with the sharp guard  10 , but it is impossible to put additional sharp guards  10  into the receptacle  60  because all the openings  64  are obstructed by the sharp guard  10 . In an embodiment, the receptacle  60  further comprises an optional permanent adhesive on its interior wall opposite the openings  64 . Once the user inserts the sharp guard  10  into the receptacle  60 , the adhesive adheres the sharp guard  10  to the wall, and prevents removal of the sharp guard  10 .  
         [0114]    Referring to FIG. 1C, in another embodiment, the adhesive catalyst  32  promotes bonding between the sharp guard  10  and the adhesive within the receptacle  60  to further prevent removal of the used sharp guard  10  from the receptacle  60 .  
         [0115]    [0115]FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the receptacle  60  for sharp guards  10 , comprising the case  62 , a single opening  120 , the window  66 , the bracket or mount  67 , and the lid closure  68 . The lid closure  68  further comprises a latch or lock  122 . The sharp guard  10 , shown comprising the medical sharp object  30 , is being inserted into the opening  120 . The window  66  permits viewing of the contents of the receptacle  60  when the lid closure  68  is closed. The case  62  constrains an internal chamber that is accessed by the opening  64  and permits storage of sharp guards  10  with embedded medical sharps  30 .  
         [0116]    The lid closure  68  is preferably biased open by a spring. The spring may be a leaf spring, a coil spring, or any other type of spring. The latch or lock  122  is operable by simple pressure with a single finger. Depression of the lock  122  causes the lid closure  68  to open by stored force in the spring and permits used sharp guards  10  with embedded sharps  30  to be placed or disposed of within the case  62 . Such a latch or lock  122  is, in a preferred embodiment, a simple molded catch or protrusion that engages with a feature on the case  62  and prevents the lid closure  68  from opening. Depression of the latch or lock  122  causes the catch or protrusion to become disengaged with the case  62  and allows the spring to move the lid closure  68  to the open position. The lid closure  68  may then be closed with a single hand and the latch or lock  122  engages with the case  62  when the lid closure  68  is pushed closed. The stored force to open the lid closure  68  may be generated by methods such as, but not limited to, a spring, a magnet, a motor, hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, or the like.  
         [0117]    In another embodiment of the receptacle  60 , a specialized lid is configured to clamp to the top of a trashcan or standard medical sharps container. The specialized lid is designed to allow the single sharp guard  10  and encased sharp  30  to be inserted into the receptacle  60 . The specialized lid prevents overfilling of the receptacle  60  by becoming unable to open when the interior space of the case  62  is full.  
         [0118]    In another embodiment, the user can discard the used, employed sharp guard  10  in any standard biohazard waste disposal container.  
         [0119]    [0119]FIG. 9A illustrates an oblique view of a sharp guard delivery system  80  comprising the dispenser  40  and the receptacle  60 . The dispenser  40  further comprises the plurality of sharp guards  10  and the receptacle  60  is shown with the single used sharp guard  10  being inserted therein. The used sharp guard  10  further comprises the contaminated medical sharp object  30 . The delivery system  80  allows for access to sharp guards  10  and a convenient place for storage of used sharp guards  10  so that the medical practitioner or user does not have to travel across the room to dispose of the medical sharp object  30  or sharp guard  10 . The unitary design of the sharp guard delivery system  80  occupies minimum space in the medical facility. In an embodiment, the sharp guard delivery system  80  is unitary. In another embodiment, the sharp guard delivery system  80  comprises the dispenser  40  and the receptacle  60  as separate units. In an embodiment, the sharp guard receptacle  60  holds at least as many sharp guards  10  and contaminated medical sharp objects  30  as the dispenser  40  contains when full. The dispenser  40  presents one sharp guard  10  at a time, and upon removal of the presented sharp guard  10 , the dispenser  40  presents another sharp guard  10  for use.  
         [0120]    [0120]FIG. 9B illustrates another embodiment of the sharp guard delivery system  80  comprising the dispenser  40 , the receptacle  60 , and a bracket  126  to hold the dispenser  40  and the receptacle  60 . The bracket  126  further comprises a plurality of recesses  128  to hold the receptacle  60  and the dispenser  40 . In addition, the bracket  110  comprises a clamp  130 . The clamp  130  is configured to hold the bracket  126  to a wall, bed stand, bed rail, ambulance wall, tabletop, or other hospital or medical location. The clamp  130  is configured in various ways including, but not limited to, a releasable adhesive, Velcro, C-clamp, permanent or electromagnet, bracket with spring-loaded closure, and the like.  
         [0121]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, a bracket is provided that holds the dispenser  40  and the receptacle  60 . The bracket allows each of the dispenser  40  and the receptacle  60  to be inserted and locked into place. Removal of the empty dispenser  40  and the full receptacle  60  is accomplished by releasing the lock and removing either the dispenser  40  or the receptacle  60  from the bracket. The bracket may be attached to a bed, bed stand, table, wall or the like and reversibly accept the dispenser  40  and/or the receptacle  60 . The bracket may also allow the dispenser  40  to be coupled to a commercially available receptacle.  
         [0122]    In an embodiment, this invention comprises the methods of placing a sharp guard  10  or other medical sharps receiver at a location proximate to where it will be used medically, or at the point-of-use. It is preferable that such proximate location is no further than 15 feet from where the sharp  30  is used and, more preferably, the location is less than 5 feet from where the medical sharp is used. Most preferably, such proximate locations is such that the medical professional does not have to move his feet or even turn to reach a sharp guard  10  from where the medical sharp  30  is used on a patient.  
         [0123]    The receptacle  60  is preferably located proximate to the patient use of the medical sharp  30 . The sharp guard  10  is provided by the dispenser  40  affixed proximate to where the medical sharp  30  is used on the patient. The sterile sharp guard  10  may also be taken from another location and moved to the sterile field where it is available for use immediately after using the sharp  30  on a patient. The person disposing of the sharp  30  entraps the medical sharp  30  within the sharp guard  10  at or near the point-of-use so that the medical sharp  30  is not moved around the room in such a way as it might cut or puncture another person. Once entrapped within the sharp guard  10 , the healthcare worker transports the medical sharp  30  to the receptacle  60  where it is safely discarded.  
         [0124]    Application of the sharp guard system and methods reduces the risk that a medical caregiver will use a hypodermic needle, scalpel, or the like on a patient, turn around and accidentally stab a co-worker while trying to put the sharp into its receptacle. Such a scenario is particular disadvantageous when the patient is a vector for highly pathogenic organisms such as those for hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the like. The sharp guard system is universal and does not require that each individual sharp is specially designed to retract or self-blunt. The sharp guards and the methods of using the sharp guards reduce the risk of an inadvertent contamination in the medical environment.  
         [0125]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. For example, the sharp guard can, instead, be configured as a single monolithic slab of gel material that entraps the sharp and hardens to embed the sharp. The sharp guard receptacle and dispenser may also be configured to accept such hardenable gel sharp guards. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.