Deformation and containment device for the noble metal tip of a radiofrequency catheter

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of medical devices, and particularly relates to a radiofrequency catheter noble metal tip destroying and sealing device. The present disclosure comprises a base, an operation panel having a waste collecting port; a sealed storage box is detachably connected to the base, and a feeding port of the sealed storage box is oppositely arranged with the waste collecting port; a destroying mechanism is arranged on the operation panel, and the destroying mechanism comprises a fixed knife seat, a pressing block, a pressing plate and a driving rod, the fixed knife seat is arranged on the waste collecting port, the fixed knife seat has a discharging port oppositely arranged with the waste collecting port, and a side wall of the fixed knife seat is arranged in a pressing plate accommodating groove; the pressing plate is slidingly connected to the pressing plate accommodating groove, a surface of the pressing plate is provided with a destroying groove, and a sliding direction of the pressing plate intersects with an axial direction of the discharging port; the pressing block is hingedly connected with the fixed knife seat, a pressing direction of the pressing block is towards the discharging port, and the pressing block is provided with a destroying protrusion matched with the destroying groove; and the driving rod is connected with the pressing block and the pressing plate, and the driving rod is used for simultaneously driving the pressing block and the pressing plate to move.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a device for the destruction and sealing of a precious metal tip of a radiofrequency catheter. Background Technology

[0002] The catheter tip used in radiofrequency ablation procedures is typically equipped with a platinum or gold alloy electrode, containing valuable precious metal materials. After the procedure, this precious metal tip must be disposed of as medical waste according to law. Currently, the common clinical practice is to simply cut it off with scissors and dispose of it in a regular trash can, posing a clear risk of the precious metal tip being illegally recycled. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure aims to address at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art or related technologies.

[0004] Therefore, this disclosure provides a device for destroying and sealing the precious metal tip of a radio frequency conduit, comprising: The base has an operation panel, which has a waste collection port; A sealed storage tank is detachably connected to the base, and the inlet of the sealed storage tank is positioned opposite to the waste collection port; A deformation-breaking mechanism is located on the operation panel. The mechanism includes a fixed blade holder, a pressure block, a pressure plate, and a drive rod. The fixed blade holder is mounted on the waste collection port. The fixed knife holder has a discharge port that is opposite to the waste collection port, and the side wall of the fixed knife holder is provided in the pressure plate receiving groove. The pressure plate is slidably connected to the pressure plate receiving groove, the surface of the pressure plate is provided with a crushing groove, and the sliding direction of the pressure plate intersects with the axial direction of the discharge port; The pressure block is hinged to the fixed knife holder, the pressing direction of the pressure block is towards the discharge port, and the pressure block is provided with a deformation protrusion that matches the deformation groove; The drive rod is connected to the pressure block and the pressure plate. The drive rod is used to drive the pressure block and the pressure plate to move simultaneously. In the contact state between the pressure block and the pressure plate, the deformation groove abuts against the deformation protrusion.

[0005] In some embodiments, the deforming protrusion is a V-shaped shearing edge, and the included angle of the V-shaped shearing edge is 60°.

[0006] In some embodiments, a stop is provided on the sliding path of the pressure plate, the stop being used to clean the surface of the pressure plate when it retracts.

[0007] In some embodiments, a safety baffle is also included. The safety baffle is disposed at the waste collection port and is connected to the pressure block via a linkage rod. When the pressure block is raised, the safety baffle opens the waste collection port, and when the movable pressure block is pressed down, the safety baffle closes the waste collection port.

[0008] In some embodiments, the fixed tool holder is further provided with a limiting boss, which is located on the side wall of the fixed tool holder facing the movable pressure block, and the limiting boss is used to limit the downward stroke of the movable pressure block.

[0009] In some embodiments, an elastic reset member is provided at the hinge joint between the pressure block and the fixed knife holder, the elastic reset member being used to apply a force to move the pressure block away from the discharge port.

[0010] In some embodiments, a one-time tamper-evident buckle is provided at the connection between the sealed storage box and the base.

[0011] In some embodiments, the outer wall of the sealed storage box is provided with a coded mark, which is a QR code label or an RFID tag.

[0012] In some embodiments, an outer frame is also included, which is detachably fitted onto the sealed storage box, and anti-slip suction cups are respectively provided at the four bottom corners of the outer frame. In some embodiments, an observation window is provided on one-third of the side wall of the sealed storage box.

[0013] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution provided in this disclosure. In order to better understand the technical means of this disclosure and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other features and effects of this disclosure more obvious and understandable, the following are specific examples of the implementation methods of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the side view structure of this disclosure; Figure 2 This is a top-view structural diagram of the present disclosure.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100 - Parts to be destroyed; 1-Base; 11-Operating panel; 111-Material collection port; 2-Sealed storage box; 31-Fixed knife holder; 311-Discharge port; 32-Pressure block; 321-Deformation protrusion; 33-Pressure plate; 331-Deformation groove; 34-Drive rod; 4-Stop block; 6-Code marking; 7-Observation window. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To better understand the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure, the solutions disclosed herein will be further described below. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other.

[0019] Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of this disclosure, but this disclosure may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein; obviously, the embodiments in the specification are only some, and not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure; the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims and foregoing description of the drawings of this disclosure are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0021] In the description of the embodiments of this disclosure, technical terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number, specific order, or primary or secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0022] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0023] In the description of the embodiments of this disclosure, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0024] In the description of the embodiments of this disclosure, the technical terms "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "circumferential," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this disclosure and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, operated, or used in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0025] In the description of the embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] In the description of the embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the technical term "contact" should be interpreted broadly, and can be direct contact, contact through an intermediate medium layer, contact between two contacting parties with substantially no interaction force, or contact between two contacting parties with interaction force.

[0027] Currently, after the use of existing radiofrequency ablation catheters, the electrode tips containing platinum or gold alloys should be disposed of as medical waste according to law. However, due to the high value of these tips, clinical practice commonly involves simply cutting them off with scissors and throwing them into ordinary trash cans. This method merely separates the tip from the catheter body without altering the physical form and material purity of the precious metal tip itself. The cut tip remains intact, identifiable, and has extremely high recycling value. Medical waste undergoes multiple stages from its generation point to final disposal, including collection, temporary storage, and transportation. Ordinary trash cans cannot provide effective isolation and closed management. Related personnel or external scavengers can easily pick up these high-value tips during sorting and cleaning, causing them to escape the legal disposal chain and flow into the underground precious metal recycling market, resulting in untraceable illegal recycling. This situation not only directly leads to the uncontrollable loss of precious metal resources, but more seriously, medical device components containing patient blood and tissue residue, once illegally recycled, may enter the recycling raw material circulation process without undergoing harmless treatment, posing a threat to public health and biosafety. It is evident that the existing practice of cutting off and discarding the precious metal ends does not eliminate the recyclable properties of the precious metal ends, nor can it prevent deliberate sorting under human intervention. This is the fundamental problem that leads to the persistent risk of illegal recycling. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a disposal method that can immediately terminate the high-value recyclable characteristics of the precious metal ends at the disposal stage, thereby blocking the illegal recycling chain at its source.

[0028] The following detailed description uses specific embodiments to illustrate the device for destroying and sealing the precious metal tip of the radio frequency conduit: Reference Figure 1 and 2 As shown, this disclosure provides a device for destroying and sealing precious metal ends of radio frequency conduits, including a base 1 with an operation panel 11 having a waste collection port 111; a sealed storage tank 2 detachably connected to the base 1, with the inlet of the sealed storage tank 2 opposite to the waste collection port 111; and a destruction mechanism located on the operation panel 11, comprising a fixed blade holder 31, a pressure block 32, a pressure plate 33, and a drive rod 24. The fixed blade holder 31 is mounted on the waste collection port 111, wherein the fixed blade holder 31 has a discharge port 311 opposite to the waste collection port 111, and the fixed blade holder... The side wall of 31 is provided in the pressure plate receiving groove; the pressure plate 33 is slidably connected to the pressure plate receiving groove, the surface of the pressure plate 33 is provided with a crushing groove 331, and the sliding direction of the pressure plate 33 intersects with the axial direction of the discharge port 311; the pressure block 32 is hinged to the fixed knife holder 31, the pressing direction of the pressure block 32 faces the discharge port 311, and the pressure block 32 is provided with a crushing protrusion 321 that matches the crushing groove 331; the drive rod 24 is connected to the pressure block 32 and the pressure plate 33, and the drive rod 24 is used to drive the pressure block 32 and the pressure plate 33 to move simultaneously. In the contact state of the pressure block 32 and the pressure plate 33, the crushing groove 331 abuts against the crushing protrusion 321.

[0029] The base 1 of this disclosure is the main support structure of the device, the operation panel 11 is a workbench on the base 1 for operators to perform the conduit end deformation operation, and the waste collection port 111 is an opening on the operation panel 11 for the precious metal end fragments after deformation to fall below.

[0030] The sealed storage box 2 is a container used to receive and temporarily store the waste material after it has been destroyed. It is detachably connected to the base 1, which makes it easy to replace the whole box when it is full of waste material. The inlet of the sealed storage box 2 and the waste collection port 111 are in the same position in the assembled state, so that the waste material can directly enter the sealed storage box 2 through the waste collection port 111.

[0031] The crushing mechanism is a mechanical component that physically crushes the precious metal tip, and it is mounted on the control panel 11. The fixed blade holder 31 is a stationary support component in the crushing mechanism, mounted above the waste collection port 111. The fixed blade holder 31 has a discharge port 311 opposite to the waste collection port 111, which is a channel penetrating the fixed blade holder 31 through which the crushed tip fragments fall. The side wall of the fixed blade holder 31 has a pressure plate receiving groove, which is a guide channel for the pressure plate 33 to slide within it.

[0032] The pressure plate 33 is a plate-shaped component that is slidably assembled in the pressure plate receiving groove. Its surface is provided with a crushing groove 331, which is a recessed area that matches the shape of the end to be crushed. The sliding direction of the pressure plate 33 intersects with the axial direction of the discharge port 311, so that the pressure plate 33 can enter or exit the internal space of the fixed knife holder 31 from the side.

[0033] The pressure block 32 is a pressure-applying component hinged to the fixed knife holder 31, with its pressing direction facing the discharge port 311. The pressure block 32 is provided with a deformation protrusion 321 that matches the shape of the deformation groove 331. The deformation protrusion 321 is a structure that protrudes from the surface of the pressure block 32 and is used to embed into the deformation groove 331 during pressing. The drive rod 24 is a transmission component that connects the pressure block 32 and the pressure plate 33 simultaneously. The operator can drive the pressure block 32 and the pressure plate 33 to move synchronously by operating the drive rod 24.

[0034] Specifically, when the operator places the precious metal end of the radio frequency conduit, which is made of platinum or gold alloy, into the fixed knife holder 31 after use, the operator operates the drive rod 24. The pressure plate 33 first slides in along the pressure plate receiving groove, and the end is received in the area of ​​the deformation groove 331. At the same time, the pressure block 32 flips downward around the hinge axis and presses against the fixed knife holder 31. When the pressure block 32 and the pressure plate 33 enter the contact state, the deformation protrusion 321 abuts against the deformation groove 331. The precious metal end placed between the two is subjected to a compressive force exceeding the plastic deformation limit of its material. The end is flattened, torn or broken from its original regular shape into fragments that no longer have the complete shape of the electrode head.

[0035] After the deformed fragments are lifted by the pressing block 32 and retracted by the pressing plate 33, they fall from the discharge port 311 through the waste collection port 111 into the sealed storage box 2 below. The sealed storage box 2 encloses the fragments inside the box, so that relevant personnel cannot directly contact the fragments inside the box during the subsequent collection, temporary storage and transfer of medical waste. The complete replacement mode of the box ensures that the waste is under closed management from the time it enters the box until the final disposal stage.

[0036] By physically destroying the precious metal tip through a deformation-destruction mechanism, the tip no longer retains a complete and identifiable shape. Although the material is still platinum or gold alloy, it has been divided into irregular fragments. After the fragments are sealed in a sealed storage box 2, they cannot be visually identified as recyclable high-value electrode components. They cannot be easily sorted out from the acquisition method. This comprehensive disposal result makes it impossible for practitioners or scavengers to privately sort the tip during the medical waste sorting and cleaning process and send it to underground recycling channels. This solves the problem of illegal recycling caused by simply cutting and discarding the tip while preserving its integrity, recycling value, and identifiability, which makes it impossible to prevent human intervention in sorting.

[0037] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the drive rod 24 is a crank-connecting rod type drive assembly, which includes a handle rod, a first connecting rod, and a second connecting rod. One end of the handle rod is hinged to the base 1 to form a fixed hinge point, and the handle rod can swing around this hinge point. One end of the first connecting rod is hinged to the middle section of the handle rod, and the other end of the first connecting rod is hinged to the end of the pressure block 32 away from the hinge axis. One end of the second connecting rod is hinged to the middle section of the handle rod or a node of the first connecting rod, and the other end of the second connecting rod is hinged to the pressure plate 33.

[0038] When the operator places the precious metal end of the radio frequency conduit, made of platinum or gold alloy, into the fixed cutter holder 31 after use, and presses down on the handle of the drive lever 24, the handle swings around the fixed hinge point. The first connecting rod converts the swinging motion of the handle into the flipping motion of the pressure block 32 around its hinge axis with the fixed cutter holder 31. The pressure block 32 flips downward and presses against the discharge port 311. At the same time, the second connecting rod converts the swinging motion of the handle into the linear sliding motion of the pressure plate 33 along the pressure plate receiving groove. The pressure plate 33 slides into the fixed cutter holder 31, and the crushing groove 331 receives and positions the precious metal end. When the handle is pressed to the end of its stroke, the pressure block 32 and the pressure plate 33 enter a contact state, and the crushing protrusion 321 abuts against the crushing groove 331, and the end is squeezed or sheared into fragments. After the deformation is completed, the operator lifts the handle, and the first and second connecting rods respectively drive the pressure block 32 to flip upward and reset, and the pressure plate 33 to retract outward and reset. The fragments fall into the sealed storage box 2 through the discharge port 311 and the waste collection port 111. In this embodiment, the flipping of the pressure block 32 and the linear sliding of the pressure plate 33 are simultaneously output by a single swing input of the handle. The stroke ratio of the two movements is determined by the position of the hinge points of each connecting rod, and the sliding of the pressure plate 33 and the pressing of the pressure block 32 are synchronized in timing.

[0039] In another embodiment, the drive rod 24 is a rack and pinion drive assembly, which includes a drive gear, a first rack, and a second rack. The drive gear is rotatably mounted on the base 1 or the fixed tool holder 31. The handle portion of the drive rod 24 is fixedly connected to the drive gear or connected via a one-way transmission member. The first rack is fixed to the hinged end extension arm of the pressure block 32 or is connected to the pressure block 32 via a connecting rod. The second rack is fixed to the end of the pressure plate 33. The first rack and the second rack mesh with the drive gear respectively, and the meshing position of the two racks causes the first rack and the second rack to move in opposite directions or at a predetermined speed ratio when the drive gear rotates. When the operator places the precious metal end into the fixed tool holder 31, they hold the handle of the drive rod 24 and rotate the drive gear. The drive gear drives the first rack meshing with it to move. The first rack drives the pressure block 32 to rotate downward around the hinge axis via the extension arm or connecting rod. The crushing protrusion 321 of the pressure block 32 presses against the discharge port 311. At the same time, the drive gear drives the second rack meshing with it to move. The second rack drives the pressure plate 33 to slide into the fixed tool holder 31 along the pressure plate receiving groove. The crushing groove 331 reaches the position to receive the end. The operator continues to rotate the drive rod 24 to the stop point. The pressure block 32 and the pressure plate 33 enter a contact state. The crushing protrusion 321 abuts against the crushing groove 331, and the end is crushed into fragments. After the deformation is completed, the operator rotates the drive rod 24 in the opposite direction, causing the drive gear to rotate in the opposite direction. This, via the first and second racks, drives the pressure block 32 to flip upwards and reset, and the pressure plate 33 to retract outwards and reset. The fragments fall into the sealed storage box 2 through the discharge port 311 and the waste collection port 111. This embodiment ensures a fixed transmission ratio between the angular displacement of the pressure block 32 and the linear displacement of the pressure plate 33 through the gear and rack meshing, and there is no slippage during the transmission process. The sliding action of the pressure plate 33 and the pressing action of the pressure block 32 are kinematically precisely corresponding.

[0040] In some embodiments, the deforming protrusion 321 is a V-shaped shearing edge, and the included angle of the V-shaped shearing edge is 60°.

[0041] In this embodiment, the deformation protrusion 321 is specifically configured as a V-shaped shearing edge with a V-shaped included angle of 60°. The V-shaped shearing edge is a blade-like structure that protrudes along the surface of the pressure block 32 and has a V-shaped cross-section. The included angle refers to the included angle between the two edges of the V-shape. The included angle of 60° ensures that when the blade enters the deformation groove 331, the V-shaped tip first contacts the surface of the precious metal end, concentrating the applied driving force on a linear contact area. As the pressure block 32 continues to press down, the two edges of the V-shape extend from the contact line to both sides, forming a shearing action on the end material.

[0042] When the operator places the radio frequency conduit with the precious metal end into the fixed knife holder 31 after use, the operating drive rod 24 causes the pressure plate 33 to slide in and receive the end with the crushing groove 331. The pressure block 32 flips downward around the hinge axis. The V-shaped shearing edge and the crushing groove 331 work together on the end. When the contact state is reached, the 60° V-shaped included angle edge cuts into the end wall. The shear stress borne by the end in the V-shaped edge contact area exceeds the shear strength limit of the platinum alloy or gold alloy material. The end is sheared and broken along the extension direction of the V-shaped edge. The fragments generated after the breakage fall into the discharge port 311 and enter the sealed storage box 2 through the waste collection port 111. After being cut by the V-shaped shear blade, the precious metal end is divided into at least two irregular fragments with shear marks. The original complete ring or cap-shaped electrode head shape is changed. The fragments are temporarily stored in a sealed storage box 2. Operators cannot pick out specific shaped end individuals from the box. The fragments cannot be identified as recyclable high-value electrode components from their appearance. This eliminates the feasibility of relevant personnel in the medical waste disposal chain to identify and sort the complete end shape, thereby intercepting the precious metal and blocking the illegal recycling chain.

[0043] In some embodiments, a stop 4 is provided on the sliding path of the pressure plate 33, and the stop 4 is used to clean the surface of the pressure plate 33 when the pressure plate 33 retracts.

[0044] In this embodiment, the stop 4 is a blocking member fixedly installed on the sliding path of the pressure plate 33. The sliding path of the pressure plate 33 refers to the complete movement trajectory of the pressure plate 33 in the pressure plate receiving groove from the initial position along the direction of entering the interior of the fixed tool holder 31 and retracting outward from the interior of the fixed tool holder 31.

[0045] After a demolition operation is completed, the drive rod 24 lifts and resets the pressure block 32, while simultaneously causing the pressure plate 33 to retract outward along the pressure plate receiving groove. During the retraction process, the surface of the pressure plate 33 carrying the fragments passes the location of the stop block 4, and the stop block 4 comes into contact with the surface of the pressure plate 33. This scrapes away any precious metal end fragments and debris that may have adhered to the surface of the pressure plate 33 or the edge of the demolition groove 331 during the demolition step. The scraped fragments fall into the sealed storage box 2 under the action of gravity through the discharge port 311 and the waste collection port 111. The cleaning action of the stop block 4 ensures that no fragments remain on the surface of the pressure plate 33 after each demolition. The operator cannot obtain any platinum or gold alloy fragments from the pressure plate 33 when changing the conduit to be processed or cleaning and maintaining the device. The total amount of end fragments entering the sealed storage box 2 is consistent with the total amount of fragments generated by demolition, and there is no path for fragments to scatter outside the sealed storage box 2 or be removed by the operator.

[0046] Therefore, the setting of the baffle 4 keeps the pressure plate 33 clean after the material is discharged by the crushing mechanism, further consolidating the effect that all precious metal end material enters the sealed storage box 2 for temporary storage from the start of crushing, ensuring that no fragments with recycling value are left in the accessible area of ​​the device. During the collection, temporary storage and transfer of medical waste, relevant personnel cannot pick out fragments from inside the device, thus eliminating the possibility that fragments will be identified and sorted and then leave the legal disposal chain.

[0047] In some embodiments, a safety baffle is also included. The safety baffle is disposed at the waste collection port 111 and is connected to the pressure block 32 via a linkage rod. When the pressure block 32 is raised, the safety baffle opens the waste collection port 111, and when the movable pressure block 32 is pressed down, the safety baffle closes the waste collection port 111.

[0048] In this embodiment, the safety baffle is a movable plate located at the waste collection port 111, and the linkage rod is a transmission rod connecting the safety baffle and the pressure block 32, used to convert the flipping motion of the pressure block 32 into the opening and closing action of the safety baffle.

[0049] When the pressure block 32 is in the raised state, the operator places the precious metal end of the radio frequency conduit, which is made of platinum or gold alloy, into the fixed blade holder 31. At this time, the linkage rod keeps the safety baffle in the open position, keeping the waste collection port 111 and the discharge port 311 unobstructed, providing a channel for subsequent fragments to fall. The operation of the drive rod 24 causes the pressure block 32 to flip downward around the hinge axis to perform the crushing action. The downward movement of the pressure block 32 is transmitted to the safety baffle through the linkage rod, driving the safety baffle to close and blocking the waste collection port 111. In this closed state, the fragments generated by the crushing protrusion 321 and the crushing groove 331 squeezing or shearing the precious metal end are confined between the discharge port 311 area of ​​the fixed blade holder 31 and the closed safety baffle.

[0050] Once a demolition action is completed, the operator lifts the pressure block 32 via the drive rod 24. Simultaneously, the linkage rod opens the safety baffle, and the waste collection port 111 reopens. Accumulated fragments fall through the waste collection port 111 into the sealed storage box 2 below under gravity. The safety baffle closes the waste collection port 111 during the demolition phase (when the pressure block 32 is pressed down) and opens it during the non-demolition phase (when the pressure block 32 is lifted). This linkage ensures that any fragments that may fly or bounce out under the high impact force generated during demolition are intercepted by the closed safety baffle. Fragments will not scatter outside the sealed storage box 2 through the waste collection port 111, and the operator's hands or other tools cannot be inserted into the fixed blade holder 31 through the waste collection port 111 during the demolition process.

[0051] All fragments entering the sealed storage bin 2 originate from the precious metal end-point destruction process, and the total number of fragments is consistent with the destruction output. There is no possibility of them being picked up and collected by personnel due to splashing or being left outside the device. The sealed storage bin 2 temporarily stores the fragments in a sealed manner. During the collection, temporary storage, and transfer of medical waste, operators cannot pick out fragments with platinum or gold alloy recycling value from inside the bin or around the device. The entire process from end-point destruction to entering the sealed storage bin 2 is under controlled and closed conditions, completely eliminating the possibility for operators, waste disposal personnel, or scavengers to obtain end-point fragments through sorting.

[0052] In some embodiments, the fixed blade holder 31 is further provided with a limiting boss, which is located on the side wall of the fixed blade holder 31 facing the movable pressure block 32. The limiting boss is used to limit the downward stroke of the movable pressure block 325.

[0053] In this embodiment, the limiting boss is a protruding structure fixedly installed on the side wall of the fixed tool holder 31 facing the pressure block 32. The downward pressing stroke of the pressure block 32 refers to the angular displacement or linear displacement distance that the pressure block 32 travels from the lifted position to the pressing position with the fixed tool holder 31 under the drive of the drive rod 24.

[0054] When the operator places the used precious metal end of the radio frequency conduit into the fixed knife holder 31, the operating drive rod 24 causes the pressure plate 33 to slide in and receive the end with the crimping groove 331. At the same time, the pressure block 32 flips downward around the hinge axis. When the pressure block 32 flips to the preset end point of the downward stroke, the corresponding part of the pressure block 32 contacts the limiting boss and stops pressing. The position of the limiting boss determines the minimum gap between the crimping protrusion 321 and the crimping groove 331 of the pressure block 32 in the contact state. This minimum gap is set to be less than the complete wall thickness of the precious metal end but greater than zero. When the pressure block 32 is pressed down to this gap, the end wall is squeezed by the crimping protrusion 321 and the crimping groove 331 to plastic deformation and break. The movement of the pressure block 32 itself is prevented by the limiting boss, and the crimping protrusion 321 will not cross the bottom surface of the crimping groove 331 and have a rigid collision with the fixed knife holder 31 or the pressure plate 33.

[0055] The limiting boss controls the pressing end position of the pressure block 32 within the structural bearing capacity range of the fixed knife holder 31, preventing the V-shaped shearing edge of the deformed protrusion 321 or other extrusion structures from embedding too deeply due to excessive torque applied by the operator, which could cause the cutting edge to become dull or the fixed knife holder 31 to deform. The end fragments generated after deformation fall into the sealed storage box 2 through the discharge port 311 and the waste collection port 111, where the sealed storage box 2 temporarily stores the fragments.

[0056] When operators repeatedly perform the destruction operation, the downward stroke is uniformly limited by the limiting boss each time, and the size and degree of destruction of the fragments produced by each destruction are consistent. There is no possibility that incompletely destroyed ends will be retained as a whole due to differences in the downward stroke. All fragments falling into the sealed storage box 2 are irregular fragments with incomplete shapes that cannot be identified as the original electrode head assembly. Operators and any personnel in the medical waste disposal chain cannot pick out individual ends that still have the complete shape of precious metals from the box. The recyclable identification characteristics of the end fragments are destroyed and they are temporarily sealed and stored, thus preventing the fragments from being sorted and flowing into underground recycling channels.

[0057] In some embodiments, an elastic reset member is provided at the hinge joint between the pressure block 32 and the fixed knife holder 31. The elastic reset member is used to apply a force to move the pressure block 32 away from the discharge port 311.

[0058] In this embodiment, the elastic reset member is an elastic element disposed at the hinge of the pressure block 32 and the fixed knife holder 31. One end of the elastic element acts on the pressure block 32, and the other end acts on the fixed knife holder 31 or the hinge shaft. The direction of the force applied by the elastic reset member is to make the pressure block 32 rotate away from the discharge port 311 around the hinge axis, that is, to drive the pressure block 32 to reset from the position of pressing with the fixed knife holder 31 to the lifted position.

[0059] When the operator places the used precious metal end of the radio frequency conduit into the fixed knife holder 31, and applies driving force by holding the drive rod 24, the drive rod 24 overcomes the force of the elastic reset member and drives the pressure block 32 to rotate downward around the hinge axis. At the same time, it drives the pressure plate 33 to slide into the fixed knife holder 31 along the pressure plate receiving groove. When the pressure block 32 rotates to press against the fixed knife holder 31, the deformation protrusion 321 abuts against the deformation groove 331, and performs deformation on the precious metal end located between the two.

[0060] After the deformation action is completed, the operator releases the drive rod 24, releasing the accumulated elastic potential energy of the elastic reset component. This releases a force on the pressure block 32 in a direction away from the discharge port 311, causing the pressure block 32 to automatically flip upwards around the hinge axis and reset. Simultaneously, the drive rod 24 drives the pressure plate 33 to retract outwards along the pressure plate receiving groove, and the pressure plate 33 exits from inside the fixed knife holder 31, returning to its initial standby state. The precious metal end fragments generated by the deformation fall into the sealed storage box 2 through the discharge port 311 and the waste collection port 111 after the pressure block 32 is lifted and the pressure plate 33 is removed. The sealed storage box 2 temporarily stores the fragments.

[0061] The elastic reset component allows the pressure block 32 and pressure plate 33 to automatically reset after each deformation. The operator does not need to manually lift the pressure block 32. The operator can complete the entire operation cycle of placing the end, pressing the drive rod 24, and releasing the reset with one hand. During the reset process, the operator's hand does not need to contact the pressure block 32 or the internal area of ​​the fixed tool holder 31, which avoids the operator's fingers from reaching into the fixed tool holder 31 and coming into contact with the deformed alloy fragments when manually lifting the pressure block 32.

[0062] In some embodiments, a one-time anti-disassembly buckle is provided at the connection between the sealed storage box 2 and the base 1.

[0063] In this embodiment, the one-time anti-tamper buckle is an irreversible connection structure set at the connection between the sealed storage box 2 and the base 1. The buckle is engaged and locked when the sealed storage box 2 is first installed on the base 1, aligning and fixing the inlet of the sealed storage box 2 with the waste collection port 111. Once the one-time anti-tamper buckle is engaged, if the sealed storage box 2 is to be disassembled, the buckle structure itself must be destroyed to separate the box.

[0064] After the operator completes a series of destructive operations on the precious metal tips of the radiofrequency catheters, a certain amount of alloy tip fragments accumulate in the sealed storage box 2. At this point, the operator or medical waste disposal personnel need to remove the fully loaded sealed storage box 2 from the base 1 and replace it with a new sealed storage box 2. During the disassembly process, the operator applies disassembly force to the disposable tamper-evident clips. The pre-set weak point in the clip structure breaks irreversibly, and the sealed storage box 2 separates from the base 1. The clip structure of the removed sealed storage box 2 is damaged, and the box cannot be securely installed on the base 1 again using the clips. Moreover, the damage to the clips is directly identifiable by appearance.

[0065] The removed sealed storage box 2, along with the damaged end fragments inside, enters the subsequent collection, temporary storage, and transportation of medical waste as a single sealed unit. During the transfer between different nodes in the disposal chain, receiving personnel can determine whether the box has been unauthorizedly opened or replaced by observing the integrity of the disposable tamper-evident latches. If the latches are intact, it indicates that the box has not been opened since leaving base 1, and the number and condition of the internal fragments are consistent with when the damage was completed. If the latches are damaged, it indicates that the box was opened during the transfer process, and there is a possibility that the internal fragments were accessed and removed. The irreversible damage characteristic of the disposable tamper-evident latches ensures that any attempt to open the sealed storage box 2 to obtain precious metal fragments during its transfer will leave traceable physical evidence. Operators, transfer personnel, and scavengers cannot access the alloy fragments inside the box without being detected.

[0066] The end fragments inside the sealed storage box 2 have been destroyed by the deformation mechanism into irregular fragments that are incomplete in shape and cannot be identified as the original electrode head assembly. Combined with the one-time anti-tamper buckle to fix the evidence of the box's opening and closing status, the fragments are in a closed and monitored state throughout the entire process from entering the sealed storage box 2 to being delivered to the terminal disposal facility. Relevant personnel cannot pick out the fragments from the disposal chain and transfer them to the underground recycling channel.

[0067] In some embodiments, the outer wall of the sealed storage box 2 is provided with a coding mark 6, which is a QR code label or an RFID tag.

[0068] In this embodiment, the coded identifier 6 is an information carrier set on the outer wall of the sealed storage box 2. Specifically, the coded identifier 6 can be a QR code label or an RFID tag. A QR code label is a label with a two-dimensional barcode graphic printed on its surface; the coded information stored within the label can be read using an optical scanning device. An RFID tag is a radio frequency identification tag; the tag contains an RFID chip and an antenna, and the coded information within the tag can be read or written in a non-contact manner using an RFID reader / writer. Before first use or at the time of manufacture, the sealed storage box 2 has a unique coded identifier 6 affixed to its outer wall; each box corresponds to a non-repeatable code.

[0069] When the operator installs the sealed storage container 2 onto the base 1, it begins receiving platinum or gold alloy fragments generated from the deformation of the precious metal tip of the radiofrequency catheter. At this point, the code in the coded identifier 6 can be read by a scanning device, and this code is associated with data such as the batch information of the deformation operation, operator information, and disposal date, and entered into the medical waste management traceability system. After a series of deformation operations are completed, the tip fragments accumulate inside the sealed storage container 2. The operator then breaks the disposable tamper-evident latches to remove the fully loaded sealed storage container 2 from the base 1. This container then becomes an independent sealing unit for the collection, temporary storage, and transfer of medical waste.

[0070] During the handover process, the receiving personnel use a scanning device to read the coded identifier 6 on the outer wall of the sealed storage box 2. They then compare the read identifier with the corresponding batch information recorded in the system to confirm whether the box matches the original destroyed and sealed batch and whether it has been replaced during the transfer process. If the comparison results show that the coded information does not match the record, or if the coded identifier 6 shows signs of being torn, covered, or rewritten, it indicates that the sealed storage box 2 may have been unauthorizedly opened or replaced at some point after being removed from the destruction device. There is a risk that the internal alloy fragments may have been accessed and removed. This allows for pinpointing the specific stage at which the anomaly occurred and initiating a traceability investigation.

[0071] The uniqueness of the coded identifier 6 ensures that each sealed storage box 2 has an undeniable identity in the disposal chain. Combined with the physical evidence of damage from the one-time tamper-evident buckle, the sealing status and circulation path of the sealed storage box 2 are fully recorded and verified. If operators, transfer personnel, or scavengers attempt to open the box to sort and remove precious metal fragments during circulation, their actions will inevitably damage the tamper-evident buckle or cause an anomaly in the coded identifier. This anomaly will be detected during subsequent handover verification. The act of illegally obtaining fragments cannot be concealed, and the fragments cannot escape the legal disposal chain and flow into underground recycling channels undetected. The fragments at the end of the sealed storage box 2 have been destroyed by the deformation mechanism into incomplete fragments, losing their original identifiable shape from the electrode head. Under the dual constraints of physical sealing and information traceability, the fragments cannot be sorted and recycled throughout the entire process from generation to final disposal.

[0072] In some embodiments, an outer frame is also included, which is detachably fitted onto the sealed storage box 2, and anti-slip suction cups are provided at the four bottom corners of the outer frame.

[0073] In this embodiment, the outer frame is a frame-type structural component independent of the base 1 and the sealed storage box 2. The outer frame is detachably fitted onto the outside of the sealed storage box 2. The inner cavity shape of the outer frame is adapted to the outer contour of the sealed storage box 2. After fitting, the outer frame covers the bottom and side walls of the sealed storage box 2. The anti-slip suction cups are negative pressure adsorption elements fixedly installed at the four corners of the bottom of the outer frame. Each anti-slip suction cup is made of flexible material, and its bottom surface is a disc-shaped structure with an inwardly concave shape. After the operator installs the sealed storage box 2 onto the base 1, the outer frame is fitted from the bottom of the sealed storage box 2, so that the outer frame covers the sealed storage box 2 and is fixed below the base 1. Then, the entire device is placed on the operating table, and vertical downward pressure is applied to expel the air between the anti-slip suction cups at the four corners of the bottom of the outer frame and the table surface, forming a negative pressure cavity inside the suction cup, and the suction cup adheres to the table surface.

[0074] Throughout the process of the operator performing the deformation operation on the precious metal tip of the radiofrequency conduit, the operator holds the drive rod 24 to apply driving force, causing the pressure block 32 to press down and then lift back to its original position. The horizontal and vertical forces generated by this action are transmitted through the base 1 to the sealed storage tank 2 and the outer frame. The four anti-slip suction cups at the four corners of the bottom of the outer frame fix the entire device to the table surface. The device will not slide horizontally on the table surface due to the pushing or pulling force applied by the operator in a single operation, nor will it tip over due to changes in the device's center of gravity. The positional stability of the device ensures that the waste collection port 111 and the inlet of the sealed storage tank 2 remain aligned throughout the deformation operation. All platinum or gold alloy tip fragments falling from the discharge port 311 enter the sealed storage tank 2 through the waste collection port 111, eliminating the possibility of fragments scattering onto the table surface or the ground due to device misalignment. After the operation is completed, the operator can remove the outer frame along with the sealed storage box 2 from the base 1. The outer frame acts as a load-bearing component to protect the sealed storage box 2 from direct collisions during the transfer process. The anti-slip suction cup will be adsorbed onto the table again when the box is transferred to the next node for repositioning, maintaining the stability of the box during the temporary storage period.

[0075] In some embodiments, an observation window 7 is provided at one-third of the position of the side wall of the sealed storage box.

[0076] In this embodiment, the observation window 7 is a transparent window component set on the side wall of the sealed storage box 2. Its installation position is located at one-third of the height from the upper edge of the side wall of the sealed storage box 2. The observation window 7 is made of transparent material, and the operator can directly observe the accumulation of fragments inside the box from the outside of the sealed storage box 2 through the observation window 7.

[0077] When the operator continuously uses the destruction and sealing device to destroy the precious metal end of the radio frequency conduit, fragments of the platinum or gold alloy end destroyed by the destruction mechanism continuously fall into the sealed storage box 2 through the discharge port 311 and the waste collection port 111. The fragments accumulate from the bottom to the top inside the box. During operation breaks or before each destruction operation, the operator checks the height of the fragment accumulation inside the box through the observation window 7. When the accumulation height is close to the position of the observation window 7, i.e., one-third of the height of the side wall of the box, it indicates that the remaining capacity of the sealed storage box 2 is insufficient to receive the fragments generated by subsequent destruction operations. At this time, the operator can stop the destruction operation, remove the full sealed storage box 2 from the base 1, and replace it with an empty box. The observation window 7 allows the operator to determine the amount of fragments in the box without disassembling the sealed storage box 2 or detaching the device. This avoids the waste of the sealing unit caused by prematurely replacing the sealed storage box 2 when it is not yet full, and also avoids the situation where fragments overflow and scatter to the outside of the device due to the continued feeding of fragments after the sealed storage box 2 is full.

[0078] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement it. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not to be limited to the embodiments described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A device for destroying and sealing the precious metal tip of a radio frequency conduit, characterized in that, include: The base has an operation panel, which has a waste collection port; A sealed storage tank is detachably connected to the base, and the inlet of the sealed storage tank is positioned opposite to the waste collection port; A deformation-breaking mechanism is located on the operation panel. The mechanism includes a fixed blade holder, a pressure block, a pressure plate, and a drive rod. The fixed blade holder is mounted on the waste collection port. The fixed knife holder has a discharge port that is opposite to the waste collection port, and the side wall of the fixed knife holder is provided in the pressure plate receiving groove. The pressure plate is slidably connected to the pressure plate receiving groove, the surface of the pressure plate is provided with a crushing groove, and the sliding direction of the pressure plate intersects with the axial direction of the discharge port; The pressure block is hinged to the fixed knife holder, the pressing direction of the pressure block is towards the discharge port, and the pressure block is provided with a deformation protrusion that matches the deformation groove; The drive rod is connected to the pressure block and the pressure plate. The drive rod is used to drive the pressure block and the pressure plate to move simultaneously. In the contact state between the pressure block and the pressure plate, the deformation groove abuts against the deformation protrusion.

2. The device for destroying and sealing the precious metal tip of a radio frequency conduit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The deformed protrusion is a V-shaped shearing edge, and the included angle of the V-shaped shearing edge is 60°.

3. The device for destroying and sealing the precious metal tip of a radio frequency conduit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding path of the pressure plate is provided with a stop block, which is used to clean the surface of the pressure plate when the pressure plate retracts.

4. The device for destroying and sealing the precious metal tip of a radio frequency conduit according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a safety baffle, which is disposed at the waste collection port. The safety baffle is connected to the pressure block via a linkage rod. When the pressure block is raised, the safety baffle opens the waste collection port. When the movable pressure block is pressed down, the safety baffle closes the waste collection port.

5. The device for destroying and sealing the precious metal tip of a radio frequency conduit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed blade holder is also provided with a limiting boss, which is located on the side wall of the fixed blade holder facing the movable pressure block. The limiting boss is used to limit the downward stroke of the movable pressure block.

6. The device for destroying and sealing the precious metal tip of a radio frequency conduit according to claim 1, characterized in that, An elastic reset member is provided at the hinge joint between the pressure block and the fixed knife holder. The elastic reset member is used to apply a force to move the pressure block away from the discharge port.

7. The device for destroying and sealing the precious metal tip of a radio frequency conduit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connection between the sealed storage box and the base is equipped with a one-time anti-disassembly buckle.

8. The device for destroying and sealing the precious metal tip of a radio frequency conduit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the sealed storage box is marked with a code, which is a QR code label or an RFID tag.

9. The device for destroying and sealing the precious metal tip of a radio frequency conduit according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an outer frame, which is detachably fitted onto the sealed storage box, and the bottom four corners of the outer frame are respectively provided with anti-slip suction cups.

10. The device for destroying and sealing the precious metal tip of a radio frequency conduit according to claim 1, characterized in that, An observation window is provided on one-third of the side wall of the sealed storage box.

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