Injection needle dissolution treatment device

Abstract

To provide a portable, small and easy-to-operate injection needle dissolving device.SOLUTION: An injection needle dissolving device includes a cover part 11 having a first electrode 30, an operating mechanism that operates in conjunction with opening / closing action of the cover part 11 having a second electrode 31, and a dissolution treatment part 21 having the second electrode 31. When the cover part 11 is closed, the first electrode 30 of the cover part 11 comes into contact with one end 83a of an injection needle 83 held by an injection needle holding portion 23 of the dissolution treatment part 21 of a device body part 12 to lower the injection needle 83, and the other end 83b of the injection needle 83 comes into contact with the second electrode 31 to dissolve the other end 83b of the injection needle 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a small dissolution treatment device for used injection needles, which dissolves and disposes of the tip portions of used injection needles used for various injections such as insulin injections. More specifically, the present invention relates to a small dissolution treatment device that is easy to operate, portable, and can safely dissolve and dispose of the tip portions of used injection needles. [Background technology]

[0002] From the perspective of infection prevention, used needles at medical institutions are collected in collection containers and incinerated. Although used needles at medical institutions are handled relatively strictly and incinerated, it is still not possible to completely eliminate the risk of infection due to carelessness or mistakes in post-use management and handling during the process from use to incineration.

[0003] Syringes are used not only in medical institutions but also by individuals. For example, in insulin therapy, diabetic patients inject themselves with insulin several times a day, before and after meals and at other times, changing the needle. Typically, used needles are disposed of in batches in containers, but there are no strict disposal regulations or penalties for the disposal of needles used by individuals. As a result, used needles are also disposed of as general waste, and during the process of being collected, transported, and incinerated by general waste collection companies, waste disposal workers and other related parties are at greater risk of accidentally pricking their hands or fingers with a needle and contracting an infectious disease or other illness.

[0004] In order to reduce the risk of infection from such used injection needles, a device has been proposed that dissolves used injection needles on the spot immediately after use, sterilizing or disinfecting them with the heat generated during dissolution (Patent Document 1). However, the device in Patent Document 1 has a complex configuration and is cumbersome to operate, so a device that dissolves needles with a simpler operation has also been proposed (Patent Document 2). Furthermore, since relatively long injection needles are sometimes used depending on the purpose of treatment, surgery, etc., a needle melting device that dissolves long injection needles has also been proposed (Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-66663 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-13024 [Patent Document 3] WO2022 / 204628 publication Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 all dissolve the tips of used syringe needles on-site, sterilizing or disinfecting them with the high heat generated during dissolution, without the need to transport the needles to an incineration site. Used syringe needles may be contaminated with pathogens or infectious diseases, and are waste products with a high risk of infection. A syringe needle dissolving device that can sterilize or disinfect used syringe needles with a high risk of infection immediately after use is an extremely useful device, as it can prevent the risk of infection during the subsequent disposal process.

[0007] There are over 10 million people with diabetes in Japan alone, and it is estimated that there are over 500 million people with diabetes worldwide (according to an estimate by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington). Therefore, from the perspective of protecting society from the risk of infection, it is hoped that needle dissolving devices will become more widely used in the future.

[0008] However, the dissolving devices according to the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are large in size and require a certain degree of familiarity for operation. For example, for personal use, such as carrying them at home, work, on the go, traveling, etc. and using them several times a day, they are too large and require somewhat tedious operations for dissolving. Therefore, the dissolving devices of the prior art still have many challenges to overcome before they can be widely adopted in response to societal demands. In particular, for personal use, there is a demand for a small, portable dissolving device that anyone can operate easily. Furthermore, a small, easy-to-operate dissolving device is desirable not only for personal use but also for use in hospitals and medical institutions.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of these issues and social demands, and aims to provide a dissolution treatment device for used injection needles that does not require a specific installation location, is portable as needed, is small, and can easily dissolve injection needles anywhere. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides a syringe needle dissolving device for dissolving syringe needles, the device comprising: a device main body; a cover for covering an operation surface of the device main body; and a power supply unit provided within the device main body, a first electrode provided on the cover and connected to the power supply; a dissolution processing unit provided in the device body and including a second electrode connected to the power supply unit and a movement mechanism that operates in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover unit; Equipped with By closing the cover part, the first electrode of the cover part comes into contact with one end of the injection needle held in the injection needle holding part of the dissolution processing part, causing the injection needle to descend, and the other end of the injection needle comes into contact with the second electrode, thereby dissolving the other end of the injection needle.

[0011] By simply closing the cover, the syringe needle is dissolved in conjunction with the movement of the cover, allowing for accurate repetition of a set operation. This allows for accurate dissolution processing with simple operations. It is also preferable that the cover has a protrusion with a first electrode at the tip of the surface facing the operation surface, and that the protrusion enters the dissolution processing unit when the cover is closed, causing the first electrode to abut against one end of the syringe needle and lower the syringe needle holder. This allows the amount of needle descent to be controlled according to the distance traveled during the closing operation, making it possible to more accurately control the position of the electrode and the syringe needle.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a stopping member that operates by a moving mechanism driven by the opening and closing operation of the cover, to prevent the descent of the injection needle holding part when the cover is opened, and to allow the descent of the injection needle holding part until the first electrode abuts against one end of the injection needle after the cover is closed. This makes it easier to insert the syringe and separate the injection needle holding part from the syringe body.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the injection needle holding part is biased upward by an elastic member, and when the cover part is closed, the first electrode abuts against the upper end of the injection needle, and then the injection needle holding part is pressed downward via the injection needle to lower the injection needle holding part, so that the lower end of the injection needle contacts the second electrode. In addition, it is preferable that the injection needle holding part is configured to hold the injection needle part supporting the injection needle so that it does not rotate around its central axis. This allows the tip of the syringe to be inserted into the insertion port with the injection needle still attached, and the syringe body and injection needle can be easily separated.

[0014] The first electrode and the second electrode preferably have a curved recess facing the injection needle. This makes it difficult for the injection needle to slip off-center after the first electrode abuts against one end of the injection needle, making it possible to push the injection needle straight down. Furthermore, it is preferable that the injection needle holding part further descends after the injection needle abuts against the second electrode by closing the cover part, thereby bending the end of the injection needle part that comes into contact with the second electrode part. This configuration makes it difficult for the tip of the injection needle to puncture the needle, allowing the injection needle part to be safely removed and disposed of after dissolution treatment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The syringe needle dissolving device of the present invention can dissolve a syringe needle simply by opening the cover, inserting a syringe, separating the syringe body, leaving the syringe needle inside the device, and then closing the cover. Therefore, anyone can dissolve a used syringe needle with simple operations and without making any operational mistakes.

[0016] The electrical connection between the first electrode, injection needle, and second electrode is established in conjunction with the standardized, consistent, and precise movement of closing the cover, making it less prone to human error and enabling the dissolution process to be carried out with a simple configuration. This makes it possible to miniaturize the device. Furthermore, by reducing the number of times it can be used on a single charge, the device can be made even smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1(a) is a perspective view showing the appearance of one embodiment of the injection needle dissolving device according to the present invention, (b) is a perspective view showing the appearance with the cover part opened, and (c) is a diagram showing the relationship between the structure of an insulin syringe and the injection needle holding mechanism of the present invention. [Figure 2]1A and 1B are diagrams showing the configuration of a dissolution processing unit of one embodiment of a dissolution processing unit of a syringe needle dissolving device according to the present invention, in which (a) shows a state in which the first electrode approaches the upper end of the syringe needle, (b) shows a state at the moment when the first electrode abuts against the upper end of the syringe needle, and (c) shows a state at the moment when the lower end of the syringe needle abuts against the second electrode. [Figure 3] 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams each showing a schematic configuration of another embodiment of the injection needle dissolution processing unit shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the injection needle holding mechanism of the injection needle dissolving device according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams showing other embodiments of the injection needle holding part. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of a stopping member. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of the ejection operation unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a power supply circuit for a dissolution process. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the dissolution treatment apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an injection needle holding portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the state cut along line B-B shown in FIG. 10, viewed from the same direction as FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 10, viewed from the same direction as FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 13] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the injection needle portion is held by the injection needle holding portion shown in FIG. 10, viewed from the same direction as FIG. 11. [Figure 14] 11A and 11B are perspective views illustrating the state of the stop member and the position of the ejection operating part when the cover part is opened using the injection needle holding part shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 15] 15 is a perspective view showing the state of the stop member when the cover is almost closed, the position of the ejection operation portion, and the position of the protrusion portion in the embodiment of FIG. 14. FIG. [Figure 16] 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover is further closed from the state shown in FIG. 15, from a different angle. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a stopping member driven by the opening and closing operation of the cover portion and a driving mechanism. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the gear of the rotating portion of the cover and the gear portion of the stopping member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, the syringe needle dissolving device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view showing the appearance of one embodiment of the injection needle dissolving device according to the present invention, and (b) is an external perspective view showing the injection needle dissolving device of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the cover open. (c) is a diagram showing the structure of an insulin syringe and its relationship with the injection needle holding mechanism into which the injection needle is inserted. The embodiment of Figs. 1(a) and 1(b) exemplifies a device equipped with a battery power source that can be used for dissolving treatment approximately 50 to 60 times on a single charge. By limiting the number of times it can be used to approximately 20 to 30 times, it is possible to further miniaturize the device.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1(a), a syringe needle dissolving device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a cover unit 11, a device main body unit 12, and a removal operation unit 17. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the cover unit 11 can be opened by rotating it around a rotation axis 40, and when the cover unit 11 is opened, an operation surface 15 having an insertion unit 16 appears. The tip of a syringe 80 is inserted into this insertion unit 16, the syringe main body 81 is separated, and the cover unit 11 is closed, leaving the syringe part (needle holder) 82 inside the device main body unit 12, thereby dissolving the tip of a syringe needle 83. The removal operation unit 17 will be described later.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1(c), the syringe 80 is configured such that an injection needle portion (injection needle holder) 82 is detachably coupled to a syringe body 81, and the injection needle portion 82 is replaced with a new one after each use. To detachably join the injection needle portion 82 to the syringe body 81, the syringe body 81 has a coupling protrusion 81a at its tip, and a male screw portion 81b is provided on its outer periphery. Meanwhile, a female screw portion 82a is provided on the lower inner periphery of the injection needle portion 82 at a position corresponding to the male screw portion 81b of the coupling protrusion 81a.

[0021] An injection needle 83 is fixed to the center of the injection needle portion 82, and the syringe body 81 and the injection needle portion 82 are joined by a male thread portion 81b and a female thread portion 82a to form the syringe 80. With the syringe body 81 and the injection needle portion 82 joined together, one end of the injection needle 83 is inserted into a medicinal solution portion (not shown) in the syringe body 81, and the medicinal solution is supplied from the medicinal solution portion. Note that the joining method using a male thread portion and a female thread of the syringe body 81 and the injection needle portion 82 is an example of a typical joining method, and joining methods other than threads are also applicable.

[0022] When performing a dissolution process using a syringe needle dissolving device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1(a), the cover 11 is opened to expose the insertion section 16 into which a syringe 80 is inserted, as shown in FIG. 1(b). The back surface of the cover 11 is provided with a protrusion 14 of a predetermined length, at the tip of which is provided a first electrode 30. The protrusion has a length sufficient to allow the first electrode 30 to push the syringe needle 83 downward when the cover is closed, thereby contacting the second electrode 31 via the syringe needle 83. If desired, a length can be added to define the travel distance for bending the tip of the syringe needle.

[0023] 1(c) is provided inside the lower part of the insertion section 16. The injection needle holding mechanism 22 includes an injection needle holding section 23 that holds the inserted injection needle 82, a sliding guide 24 that slidably supports the injection needle holding section 23, and elastic members 25a and 25b (which may be elastic members made of various materials such as a coil spring, a leaf spring, an air cushion, or rubber) that urge the injection needle holding section 23 upward and support it within the sliding guide 24. The injection needle holding mechanism 22, the first electrode 30, the second electrode 31 (described later), and various other parts (such as an LED lamp) that are optionally added as needed constitute a dissolution processing section 21.

[0024] 1(b), when the injection needle portion 82 of the syringe 80 is inserted into the insertion portion 16, the injection needle portion 82 is held by the injection needle holding portion 23 inside the injection needle holding mechanism 22. In this state, the syringe body 81 is rotated in a direction in which the injection needle portion 82 and the syringe body 81 are separated from the injection needle portion 82, and the cover portion 11 is then closed with the injection needle portion 82 remaining in the injection needle holding portion 23, whereby the injection needle 83 is dissolved.

[0025] 2A and 2B are conceptual diagrams showing a series of operations in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the cover part 11 is in the middle of closing, with the first electrode 30 still separated from the upper end 83a of the injection needle 83. While not essential, it is preferable, from a safety standpoint, to provide a safety switch 34 that temporarily disconnects the power supply circuit so as to prevent current from flowing until the cover is closed to a certain extent and the first electrode approaches the injection needle 83 or the tip of the injection needle approaches the second electrode 31, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The safety switch 34 may be located between the second electrode 31 and the power supply 33.

[0026] 2(b) shows a state in which the first electrode 30 is in contact with the upper end 83a of the injection needle 83. When the cover part 11 is further closed in this state, the upper end 83a of the injection needle is pressed by the first electrode 30, and the injection needle part 82 and the injection needle holding part 23 are pressed downward. This causes the elastic members 25a and 25b to contract, and the injection needle holding part 23 to move downward along the sliding guide 24.

[0027] 2 illustrates, for ease of understanding, a configuration in which the injection needle 83 is pressed down by the first electrode 30. However, it is preferable that after the first electrode 30 comes into contact with the tip (upper end) 83a of the injection needle, the injection needle 83 is slightly bent, and then a part of the protrusion 14 comes into contact with the injection needle holding part 23 or the injection needle part 82, causing the injection needle holding part 23 to be lowered.

[0028] 2(b) shows an example in which the safety switch 34 is already closed and in a connected state when the first electrode 30 comes into contact with the upper end 83a of the injection needle. However, it may be configured such that the safety switch 34 is still in a disconnected state at this stage, and the safety switch 34 closes and in a connected state when the injection needle holding part 23 moves further downward and the lower end 83b of the injection needle comes closer to the second electrode 31.

[0029] 2(c) shows the state at the moment when the needle holder 23 descends and the lower end (tip) 83b of the injection needle 83 comes into contact with the second electrode. This connects the power source 33, switch 34, first electrode 30, injection needle 83, and second electrode 31 to form a closed circuit, and a spark occurs between the lower end 83b of the injection needle, which comes into contact last, and the second electrode, causing a large current to flow and melting the lower end 83b of the injection needle 83 due to the high heat.

[0030] 2, the distance from the lower end 83b of the injection needle 83 to the second electrode (the distance until the injection needle contacts the second electrode 31: the amount of descent) is exaggerated to clearly illustrate that the injection needle holding part 23 descends and contacts the second electrode 31. In practice, this distance is preferably in the range of 8 mm to 3 mm, more preferably in the range of 5 mm to 4 mm.

[0031] The current and current flow time of the power supply circuit can be configured so that a current of 20 mmA to 30 mmA, more preferably about 20 mmA to 25 mmA, flows for 0.5 milliseconds to several tens of milliseconds, more preferably about 1 millisecond to 5 milliseconds. Furthermore, it is desirable to limit the current so that it does not flow for a certain period of time after a large current has flowed once, or to limit the current so that it does not flow until certain conditions, such as the opening and closing of the cover, are met.

[0032] The dissolution process may be terminated when the lower end (tip) of the injection needle 83 in Figure 2(c) has dissolved, and the injection needle part 82 may be removed. However, it is preferable to further lower the cover part 11 after dissolution, as shown in another embodiment in Figure 3. For safety reasons, during the operation in Figure 3, it is preferable to cut off the power circuit by separately providing a second safety switch 35 or by using the safety switch 34.

[0033] FIG. 3(a) is a conceptual diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when the cover 11 is completely closed, the needle holder 23 is further lowered from the state shown in FIG. 2(c), thereby bending the dissolved lower end (tip) 83b of the needle into the shape shown in FIG. 3(b). The second electrode 31 preferably has a curved recess at the portion where the lower end 83b of the needle abuts. This makes it easier to bend the tip of the needle. In particular, it is preferable to form the recess such that the cross section has an upward hyperbolic or parabolic shape. The lower end 83b of the needle is easily bent because it has been melted by high heat. Bending the tip of the needle in this way makes it less likely for the tip (upper and lower ends) of the needle to pierce the hand when disposing of the dissolved needle, improving safety.

[0034] 3(c) shows a configuration in which, when the cover part 11 is closed, the injection needle holding part 23 is further lowered from the state shown in FIG. 3(a), thereby bending not only the lower end (tip) 83b of the injection needle but also the upper end 83a as shown in FIG. 3(d). This makes it possible to prevent the upper end of the injection needle from pricking the hand. The shape of the portion of the first electrode 30 with which the upper end 83a of the injection needle abuts is preferably a curved recess. This makes it easier for the upper end of the injection needle to bend. In particular, it is preferable to form a recess whose cross section has a downward hyperbolic or parabolic shape.

[0035] 2 and 3 show examples of the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 31 having a curved cross-sectional shape, but the electrode shape is not limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, it is possible to make the contact surface with the end of the injection needle a flat surface, to make the inside of the depression that comes into contact with the injection needle a stepped depression shape with multiple stages of different curvature, or to provide a groove-like configuration that guides the bending direction in the part that the injection needle comes into contact with.

[0036] 4(a) and (b) show another embodiment of the injection needle holding part 23 different from that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. It is preferable that the injection needle holding part 23 be changeable to fit the size and shape of the injection needle part 82. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the injection needle holding part 23a has two divided internal holding parts 26a and 26b, which are pressed in the direction of closing by elastic members 25c and 25d. The elastic members 25c and 25d can be made of a coil spring, a leaf spring, a plastic spring, or any other material-based elastic member.

[0037] 4(a) and 4(b) show a configuration in which the holder is divided into two parts and both parts move, but it is also possible to use a configuration in which only one part is movable and one elastic member is provided, or a configuration in which more parts are divided and multiple parts move. Also, the internal holding part may be divided into two or more parts.

[0038] Alternatively, instead of the internal holding portions 26a, 26b moving laterally, the internal holding portions 26a, 26b may be formed from a flexible or elastic plastic material and be pushed outward to insert the injection needle portion 82, thereby clamping and holding the injection needle portion 82 by the elastic force. This configuration will be described in further detail below using examples.

[0039] As the injection needle portion 82 enters through the insertion section 16 and descends, it comes into contact with the inclined guides 26c, 26d of the internal holders 26a, 26b and presses them downward. The horizontal component of this downward pressing force presses the internal holders 26a, 26b laterally. This compresses the elastic members 25c, 25c, causing the internal holders 26a, 26b to expand laterally, and the injection needle portion 82 descends to the state shown in FIG. 4(b). In this state, the injection needle portion 82 is held in a state pressed by the internal holders 26a, 26b due to the pressing forces of the elastic members 25c, 25d.

[0040] Another embodiment of the needle holder is shown in Figure 5. The needle holders 23b and 23c of the other embodiments shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are two- or three-stage needle holders 23b and 23c with curved steps. These steps can be formed to match the shape and size of the dissolving needle.

[0041] The needle holding portions 23b, 23c are preferably slightly smaller than the injection needle portion 82 they hold, and are preferably made of, for example, a flexible plastic material divided into multiple pieces. As a result, the injection needle portion 82 is held in a state where each of the divided needle holding portions 23b, 23c is slightly spread outward and curved at the corresponding stepped positions of the differently shaped needle holding portions 23b, 23c. In other words, the injection needle portion 82 is held by the repulsive force (elastic force) due to the flexibility of the divided needle holding portions 23a, 23b.

[0042] In the needle dissolving device 10, after the syringe 80 is inserted into the insertion section 16, the syringe body 81 is rotated to separate it from the needle portion 82. At this time, the needle holding section 23 holds the needle portion 82 to such an extent that the needle portion 82 does not rotate together with the syringe body 81. For this reason, it is desirable to use a material that increases sliding friction in the rotational direction and / or to adopt a configuration or structure that increases sliding friction. For example, the sliding friction can be increased by providing shallow, narrow vertical grooves on the inner surface of the needle holding section 23. It is also desirable to use a material or structure that provides lateral elasticity for the inner walls of the needle holding sections 23, 23a, 23b, and 23c. For example, in addition to the flexible or elastic plastics described above, rubber or other cushioning materials may be used to provide lateral elasticity.

[0043] Furthermore, when the tip of the syringe 80 is inserted into the insertion section 16 of the device body 12, if the elastic members 25a, 25b contract due to the pressure at the time of insertion and the injection needle holding section 23 moves up and down, it becomes difficult to hold the injection needle section 82 with the injection needle holding sections 23, 23a to 23c and to rotate and separate the syringe body 81. For this reason, when inserting the syringe 80 and separating the syringe body 81, it is desirable to prevent the injection needle holding sections 23, 23a to 23c from moving and moving downward.

[0044] Therefore, it is preferable to temporarily stop the descent of the injection needle holding part 23 for a desired period of time. Figure 6 schematically shows an example of a mechanism for stopping the descent of the injection needle holding parts 23, 23a to 23c when the cover part 11 is open. For ease of explanation, the same numbers as in Figures 1 and 2 are used in Figure 6 for parts that are the same as in Figures 1 and 2. In the example shown in Figure 6, through holes 42a, 42b are provided in the sliding guide 24 and the injection needle holding parts 23, 23a to 23c, respectively, and a stopping member 41 that moves in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover part 11 can pass through the through holes.

[0045] 6 when the cover part 11 is closed, and passes through the through-holes 42a and 42b and stops at the position shown by the dashed line when the cover part 11 is open. Therefore, the injection needle holding part 23 can descend when the cover part 11 is closed. However, when the cover part 11 is open, the stopping member 41 has entered the through-hole 42b of the injection needle holding part 23, and therefore the stopping member 41 prevents the injection needle holding part 23 from descending even if it is pressed downward when the syringe 80 is inserted.

[0046] The movement of the stopping member 41 can be achieved by using, for example, a link mechanism and / or a gear mechanism that operates in conjunction with the rotational movement of the rotation shaft caused by opening and closing the cover part 11. These mechanisms enable the stopping member 41 to pass through the through holes 42a, 42b when the cover part 11 is open, and to move back and forth so as to retract from the through holes 42a, 42b when the cover part 11 is closed.

[0047] Next, a mechanism for removing the dissolved injection needle will be described. One embodiment is shown in Figure 7. The dissolved injection needle portion 82 is ejected from the insertion portion 16 by, for example, pushing in the removal operation portion 17 shown in Figure 1. Such removal operation portions 17 are preferably provided on the left and right sides. Figure 7 schematically shows the relationship and movement between the removal operation portion 17 and the injection needle portion 82 as viewed from the direction AA shown in Figure 6. Only the minimum configuration necessary to understand the relationship and movement between the removal operation portion 17 and the injection needle portion 82 is shown, and other components are omitted.

[0048] 7 illustrates a configuration in which the removal operation unit 17 enters the sliding guide 24 and the needle holding part 23 at a different position that does not overlap with the stopping member 41, and pushes the bottom of the injection needle part 82 outward. For this reason, as shown by line A-A in FIG. 6, entrance openings (opening grooves or entrance openings) 45a and 45b are provided at angular positions that are 90 degrees different from the through holes 42a and 42b of the sliding guide 24 and the injection needle holding part 23.

[0049] 7(a) shows a state in which the ejection operating part 17 is not being operated, and (b) shows a state in which the ejection operating part 17 is pushed inward. Although not shown in FIG. 7, the ejection operating part 17 is constantly biased outward by an elastic member. By pushing the ejection operating part 17, the ejection operating part 17 enters toward the center through the entrance openings 45a and 45b. When the ejection operating part 17 enters toward the center, the inclined part 17a of the ejection operating part 17 pushes the bottom of the injection needle part 82 upward, causing it to jump out of the upper insertion part 16.

[0050] The general configuration of one embodiment of the power supply circuit of the present invention is shown in Figure 8. In the example of Figure 8, a power supply 33, a first electrode 30, and a second electrode 31 are connected by wiring 32, and various switches 34 and 35 (other switches, such as a switch for turning on an LED, which will be described later, can also be provided as appropriate) and a control circuit 37 are connected between them.

[0051] The control circuit 37 can control the magnitude of the current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode, the duration of current flow, a safety control circuit, and the type of current flow. The power supply 33 is installed in the device body 12, and the wiring 32 passes through the device body 12 and the cover 11 and is connected to the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 31. The control circuit 37 can also be installed in the device body 12 or the cover 11.

[0052] As explained using the example of Figure 2, when the cover part 11 is closed, the first electrode 30 comes into contact with the upper end part 83a of the injection needle 83, and the injection needle holding part 23 is lowered, so that the lower end part 83b of the injection needle 83 comes into contact with the second electrode 31. As a result, the first electrode 30 and the second electrode are connected via the injection needle 83 to form a closed circuit, and a large current flows instantaneously, causing the lower end part 83b of the injection needle to dissolve. It is preferable that a large current flows instantaneously, but a current with a single or multiple pulse waveforms may also be used.

[0053] Furthermore, power supply 33 may be an AC power supply, but preferably has a battery (storage battery), and more preferably has a configuration in which the battery can be charged from an AC power supply. As mentioned above, in the configuration of Fig. 3, the power supply circuit is temporarily disconnected by second safety switch 35 after the second electrode is connected, but the circuit may be disconnected by safety switch 34 without using second safety switch 35. Furthermore, after a large current has been passed once by control circuit 37, the power supply circuit may be electrically disconnected until cover 11 is fully opened again.

[0054] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart illustrating an example of a dissolution process procedure. In Figure 9, the dissolution process is started with the main power switch of the syringe needle dissolving device turned on. The flowchart in Figure 9 also shows functions that are preferably added selectively. For example, steps S2, S3, S7, S8, S12, and S13 are not necessarily essential functions, but can be selectively incorporated. These functions can be selectively incorporated in any combination or individually.

[0055] With the main power on, the dissolving process begins by opening the cover 11 of the syringe needle dissolving device 10, the external appearance of which is shown in Fig. 1(a) as an example (step S1). The operation of each part is determined sequentially depending on the position to which the cover 11 is opened. In the procedure shown in Fig. 9, when the cover 11 is opened a predetermined amount, the safety switch 34 is activated and cuts off the power circuit (step S2), and the LED lamp 29 shown in Figs. 1(b) and (c) is turned on (step S3).

[0056] Safety switch 34 temporarily cuts off the power circuit for safety purposes to prevent accidental current flow during the operation of inserting the syringe and separating the syringe body. LED light 29 illuminates the area around the insertion portion to make it easier to insert injection needle 82 of syringe 80. These are optional functions, and it is possible to arbitrarily select whether to provide steps S2 and S3 and to reverse the order of these operations.

[0057] 9, it is preferable that the stopping member 41 be inserted into the through-holes 42a, 42b to stop the injection needle holding part 23 from descending before the cover part 11 is fully opened. Regarding the detection of the fully open state of the cover part 11 (step S4: Yes), it is not necessarily necessary to detect it electrically or physically or to output a detection signal, and it is sufficient if the configuration allows the operator to recognize the fully open state (the same applies to step S14).

[0058] When the cover part 11 is in the fully open state (step S4: Yes), the syringe 80 can be inserted into the insertion part 16, needle 83 first, as shown in FIG. 1(b). When the injection needle part 82 of the syringe 80 is inserted into the insertion part 16, the injection needle part 82 is held by the injection needle holding part 23 with enough strength to prevent the injection needle part 82 from rotating, as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. By rotating the syringe body 81 with the injection needle part 82 held by the injection needle holding part 23, the syringe body 81 is separated and removed from the injection needle part 82 (step S5).

[0059] When the cover part 11 is closed with the injection needle part 82 held by the injection needle holding part 23 (step S6), a series of operations is initiated according to the position of the cover part 11 (steps S6 to S13). During the start of the operation to close the cover part 11, the LED lamp 29 is turned off (step S7), and the safety switch 34 is closed to enter a connected state (step S8). As explained in steps S2 and S3, whether or not these functions are provided in steps S8 and S9, and the order of operations is arbitrary.

[0060] When the cover part 11 is further closed and the protrusion 14 of the cover part enters the insertion part 16, the first electrode 30 first reaches and abuts against the upper end part 83a of the injection needle (step S9). When the cover part 11 is further closed and the protrusion 14 is lowered, the upper end part 83a of the injection needle 83 is pressed downward by the first electrode 30, pressing downward the injection needle part 82. This presses the injection needle holding part 23 downward, causing the elastic members 25a and 25b to contract, and the injection needle 83 descends together with the injection needle holding part 23.

[0061] When the cover part 11 is further closed and the first electrode 30 is further lowered, the lower end part 83b of the injection needle 83 reaches and comes into contact with the second electrode 31 (step S10). This forms a closed circuit electrically connecting the power source 33, the first electrode 30, the injection needle 83, and the second electrode 31. As a result, a spark is generated at the lower end part 83b of the injection needle 83, which is the last point of contact, causing a large current to flow instantaneously, dissolving the lower end part (tip part) 83b of the injection needle. Because the lower end part 83b of the injection needle is dissolved by this spark and sterilized, the injection needle dissolving process may be terminated at this stage. However, it is preferable to further lower the first electrode 30 and further deform the injection needle 83 as follows.

[0062] That is, the protrusion 14 is configured to be slightly longer so that when the cover part 11 is closed, the first electrode part continues to descend even after the lower end part 83b of the injection needle abuts against the second electrode 31. Because the second electrode is fixed, when the first electrode 30 further descends and presses the injection needle 83 downward, the lower end part 83b melted by the high heat is bent (step S12), and when the first electrode 30 is further descended, the upper end part 83a of the injection needle 83 is bent (step S13).

[0063] When the cover part is completely closed, the dissolution process ends (step S14). As described above, the fully open state of the cover part 11 (step S4: Yes) does not necessarily need to be detected electrically or by outputting a signal, as long as the configuration allows the operator to recognize that the cover is completely closed. When the series of dissolution processes for closing the cover part 11 is completed, the cover part 11 is opened again (S15: steps S1 to S4) to remove the injection needle part 82 having the dissolved injection needle 83.

[0064] When the removal operation unit 17 is pressed after the cover unit 11 is opened, the inclined portion 17a of the removal operation unit 17 presses the bottom of the injection needle portion 82, and the injection needle portion 82 is pushed out from the insertion portion 16 (step S16). Thereafter, the cover unit 11 is closed (step S17: steps S6 to S8, S14), and the dissolving process for one injection needle is completed.

[0065] Next, a portion of the internal configuration of an embodiment of a syringe needle dissolving device according to the present invention will be described in detail. Figures 10, 11, and 12 show an embodiment of a syringe needle holder according to the present invention. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a syringe needle holder according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 10, viewed from the same direction as Figure 10, and Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC, viewed from the same direction as Figure 10. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken from the same direction as Figure 11, showing the syringe needle portion 82 held by the syringe needle holder 53 shown in Figure 10.

[0066] 10 to 13 can be used in, for example, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b). The needle holding part 53 corresponds to the needle holding part 23a shown in FIG. 4. The part corresponding to the sliding guide 24 shown in FIG. 4 is not shown in FIG. 10. The part corresponding to the sliding guide 24 in FIG. 4 preferably surrounds the needle holding part 53, has a star-shaped inner surface, and is configured to slidably support the needle holding part 53.

[0067] The needle holder 53 shown in FIG. 10 has a plurality of internal holders 56a and a plurality of internal holders 56b. The internal holders 56a and 56b correspond to the internal holders 26a and 26b shown in FIG. 4. Each internal holder 56a and 56b is made of a flexible (elastic) plastic material, and has the elasticity to bend and return to its original position when pressed outward. The elasticity due to the flexibility of each internal holder 56a and 56b corresponds to the elastic members 25c and 25d in FIG. 4. As a result, the needle 82 is held by the plurality of internal holders 56a and 56b of the needle holder 53, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0068] Figure 14 shows an embodiment in which the injection needle holding part 53, the stopping member 41, and the removal operation part 17 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 10 are attached. Figure 14 shows a state in which the cover part 11 is open. In this state, the stopping member 41 is inserted into the through holes 42a, 42b to prevent the injection needle holding part 53 (23) from descending, and the removal operation part 17 is not operated and has not entered the entrance openings 45a, 45b. It is preferable to provide two removal operation parts 17, but for simplicity, only one is shown in Figure 14.

[0069] 15 and 16 show the state in the embodiment shown in Fig. 14 when the cover part 11 is closed and the first electrode 30 is about to come into contact with the injection needle 83. The views are shown at different angles. In Fig. 16, the removal operation part 17 is not shown so that the entrance 45a of the stopping member 41 can be more clearly seen. When the cover part 11 is closed to the position shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the stopping member 41 is pulled out of the through holes 42a and 42b, and the injection needle holding part 53 (23) is able to descend.

[0070] 14 to 16, in order to make the through holes 42a, 42b and the entrance 45a easier to see, only a portion of the lower part of the sliding guide 24 is shown, and the upper sliding guide portion is not depicted. Also, for the sake of simplicity, only one of the elastic members 25a, 25b that urge the needle holding portion 53 (23) upward is depicted. The upper LED light 29 is provided near the entrance of the insertion portion 16, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1, but is not necessarily essential and can be provided selectively. The LED light 29 is the same as the LED 29a equipped with a diffusion lens, which clearly indicates the position of the insertion opening and brightly illuminates the insertion opening to facilitate insertion of the syringe 80.

[0071] 15 and 16 show a state in which the cover part 11 is almost closed and the protrusion 14 of the cover part 11 approaches the needle holding part 53 (only the protrusion 14 is shown in Figures 15 and 16, and the cover part 11 is omitted). In the state of Figures 15 and 16, the stopping member 41 is retracted from the through-holes 42a, 42b of the needle holding part 53. The protrusion 14 of the cover part 11 has an outer frame part 64 made of an insulating material such as plastic and a conductor part 61 made of a metal such as copper, whose tip part serves as the first electrode 30, and the conductor part 61 is electrically connected to a power source by wiring 32.

[0072] 15, the first electrode 30 in the protrusion 14 is not yet in contact with the injection needle 83. When the cover part 11 is further closed, the protrusion 14 moves further downward to the state shown in FIG. 16, where the first electrode 30 comes into contact with the injection needle 83, and when the cover part 11 is further closed, the injection needle 83 becomes bent.

[0073] Preferably, when the injection needle 83 reaches a certain degree of bending, a part of the outer frame 64 of the protrusion 14 comes into contact with a part of the injection needle holding part 53 or the injection needle portion 82, and the cover part 11 is closed, thereby pressing the entire injection needle holding part 53 downward. When the injection needle holding part 53 is pressed downward, the elastic members 25a and 25b contract, and the injection needle holding part 53 further descends together with the injection needle portion 82, bringing the second electrode into contact with the lower end of the injection needle 83 and causing a large current to flow.

[0074] 17 and 18 are perspective views showing an example of a stop member 41 driven by the opening and closing operation of the cover portion 11, and a drive mechanism. Only essential parts are shown. The parts already described are given the same reference numerals in FIGS. 17 and 18 as in FIGS. 1, 6, and 14 to 16. This is to make the description easier to understand, and the use of the same reference numerals does not mean that the configuration of each part already described is limited to the configuration of the embodiment in FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0075] The stopping member 41 is provided with a gear 41a, which meshes with a gear 40a provided on the rotating part of the cover part 11. As a result, when the cover part 11 is opened, the gear 40a rotates and moves the stopping member 41 leftward, entering the through holes 42a and 42b of the injection needle holding part 53. As a result, the stopping member 41 prevents the injection needle holding part 53 from descending. When the cover part 11 is closed, the stopping member 41 moves rightward and comes out of the through holes 42a and 42b, allowing the injection needle holding part 53 to descend.

[0076] 17 and 18 show an example of a configuration in which gears are used in the cover portion 11 and the stopping member 41 to move the stopping member, but a configuration in which a link member or a gear and a link member are combined to insert the stopping member into the through hole may also be used.

[0077] Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, the embodiment in which the cover portion 11 rotates around the rotation shaft 40 to open and close has been mainly described. However, instead of rotating, the cover unit 11 may be configured to be pulled up and then rotated horizontally to expose the operation surface (insertion unit). In this case, the movement of pulling up the cover unit corresponds to the movement of opening the cover unit 11 described above, and the movement of pulling down the cover unit corresponds to the movement of closing the cover unit 11. It is also possible to configure the cover unit so that the lighting of the LED and the operation of the stopping member are controlled by the movement of rotating the cover unit after pulling up. In this configuration, the movement of opening the cover unit and the movement of pushing the cover unit to close it can be processed substantially similarly to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10 Syringe needle dissolving device 11 Cover 12 Device main body 15 Operation surface 16 Insertion section 17 Retrieval operation section 21 Dissolution Processing Section 22 Syringe needle holding mechanism 23 Syringe needle holder 24 Sliding guide 30 first electrode 31 Second electrode 41 Stop member 42a,42b through hole 45 Entry Point 80 syringe 81 Syringe body 82 Syringe needle holder 83 Syringe needle

Claims

1. 1. A syringe needle dissolving device for dissolving a syringe needle, comprising: a device main body; a cover for covering an operation surface of the device main body; and a power supply unit provided within the device main body, a first electrode provided on the cover and connected to the power supply; a dissolution processing unit provided in the device body and including a second electrode connected to the power supply unit and a movement mechanism that operates in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover unit; Equipped with When the cover part is closed, the first electrode of the cover part comes into contact with one end of the injection needle held in the injection needle holding part of the dissolution processing part, thereby lowering the injection needle, and when the other end of the injection needle comes into contact with the second electrode, the other end of the injection needle is dissolved.

2. the cover portion includes a protrusion portion having the first electrode at a tip end on a surface facing the operation surface, 2. The injection needle dissolving device according to claim 1, wherein the action of closing the cover portion causes the protrusion portion to enter the dissolution processing portion, and the first electrode to abut against one end of the injection needle, thereby lowering the injection needle holding portion.

3. 3. The needle dissolving device according to claim 2, wherein the movement mechanism includes a stopping member that prevents movement of the needle holding part when the cover part is opened, and that allows movement of the needle holding part until the first electrode abuts against one end of the needle when the cover part is closed.

4. 4. The injection needle dissolving device according to claim 3, wherein the injection needle holding part is biased upward by an elastic member, and when the cover part is closed, the first electrode abuts against the upper end of the injection needle, and then the injection needle holding part is pressed downward via the injection needle, thereby lowering the injection needle holding part and causing the lower end of the injection needle to contact the second electrode.

5. 5. The injection needle dissolving device according to claim 4, wherein the injection needle holding part holds the injection needle part supporting the injection needle so as not to rotate around a central axis.

6. The syringe needle dissolving device according to claim 2 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode have a curved recess facing the syringe needle.

7. 7. The injection needle dissolving device according to claim 6, wherein the injection needle holding part further descends after the injection needle comes into contact with the second electrode by closing the cover part, thereby bending the end of the injection needle that comes into contact with the second electrode part.

Images