Needle removal and recap assembly

Abstract

An instrument cap removal device, including: a housing comprising a first end, a second end, an interior cavity, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the interior cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of an instrument cap; a plurality of clamping elements positioned within the interior cavity, wherein the plurality of clamping elements are releasably engageable with each other to restrict axial movement of the instrument cap within the housing.

Description

NEEDLE REMOVAL AND RECAP ASSEMBLYCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410310872.1 entitled “Needle Removal and Recap Assembly”, filed March 19, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to systems, devices, and methods of use thereof for safely removing and replacing needle caps on syringes or other injection devices, and to devices and methods of use thereof that improve recycling and / or re-use of medical device components.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In various clinical or healthcare setting, syringes, injection devices, and other instruments with needles or sharp edges are used. Such instruments commonly include a cap or shield in place over the needle or sharp edge while the instrument is in storage or being prepared for use. When the instrument is being implemented in a particular procedure, a clinician or healthcare worker typically removes the cap or shield to expose the needle or sharp edge for use. Once use of the instrument has completed, the cap or shield is typically re-engaged to the instrument to cover the needle or sharp edge and prevent inadvertent needle sticks or cuts and / or to prepare the instrument for disposal. The likelihood of an inadvertent needle stick or cut is highest during manual removal and replacement of a needle cap or cover. The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods of use thereof for safe removal and replacement of a cap covering a sharp edged or needle instrument.

[0004] The present disclosure also provides devices and methods of use thereof for improving the re-use and / or recycling of medical device components.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with one aspect, the present disclosure provides an instrument cap removal device, including a housing comprising a first end, a second end, an interior cavity, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the interior cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of an instrument cap. The instrument capremoval device may include a plurality of clamping elements positioned within the interior cavity, where the plurality of clamping elements may be releasably engageable with each other to restrict axial movement of the instrument cap within the housing.

[0006] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the plurality of clamping elements may be moveable with respect to each other along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0007] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the plurality of clamping elements may be magnetically engageable with each other.

[0008] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the plurality of clamping elements may include a first semi-cylindrical body magnetically engageable with a second semi-cylindrical body.

[0009] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the plurality of clamping elements may be biased towards engaging each other.

[0010] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each of the plurality of clamping elements may comprise a locking element that engages a surface of the instrument cap to restrict axial movement thereof within the housing.

[0011] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the locking element may include a ramped surface.

[0012] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the locking element may include a surface substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis opposite the ramped surface.

[0013] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the housing may comprise one or more retention tabs that restrict axial movement of the plurality of clamping elements therein.

[0014] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the housing may comprise one or more separation elements operable to release engagement between the plurality of clamping elements.

[0015] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the one or more separation elements may include depressible tabs deflectable inward towards the interior cavity.

[0016] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the depressible tabs may comprise portions of a sidewall of the housing movable about a living hinge.

[0017] According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the present disclosure provides a syringe cap removal device, including a housing comprising: a first end, a second end, an interior cavity, one or more separation elements deflectable inward towards the interior cavity, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The device may include a first clamping element positioned within the interior cavity; and a second clamping element positioned within the interior cavity. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects,the second clamping element may be magnetically engageable with the first clamping element. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first and second clamping elements may be moveable with respect to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first and second clamping elements may be configured to receive the syringe cap therebetween to restrict axial movement of the syringe cap.

[0018] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first and second clamping elements may each comprise a locking element that engages a surface of the syringe cap to restrict axial movement thereof.

[0019] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the housing may comprise one or more retention tabs that restrict axial movement of the plurality of clamping elements therein.

[0020] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the one or more separation elements may comprise two separation elements circumferentially offset by 180° and operable to release engagement between the first and second clamping elements.

[0021] According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of removing a cap from an instrument, including: inserting an instrument with a cap into the instrument cap removal device of any of claims 1-12, wherein inserting the instrument includes positioning the cap between the plurality of clamping elements; restricting axial movement of the cap with the plurality of clamping elements; and withdrawing the instrument from the instrument cap removal device such that the cap remains in the instrument cap removal device.

[0022] Further examples of the present disclosure will now be described in the following numbered clauses.

[0023] Clause 1 : An instrument cap removal device, comprising: a housing comprising a first end, a second end, an interior cavity, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the interior cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of an instrument cap; a plurality of clamping elements positioned within the interior cavity, wherein the plurality of clamping elements are releasably engageable with each other to restrict axial movement of the instrument cap within the housing.

[0024] Clause 2: The system of clause 1, wherein the plurality of clamping elements are moveable with respect to each other along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0025] Clause 3: The system of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the plurality of clamping elements are magnetically engageable with each other.

[0026] Clause 4: The system of clause 3, wherein the plurality of clamping elements includes a first semi-cylindrical body magnetically engageable with a second semi-cylindrical body.

[0027] Clause 5: The system of any of clauses 1-4, wherein the plurality of clamping elements are biased towards engaging each other.

[0028] Clause 6: The system of any of clauses 1-5, wherein each of the plurality of clamping elements comprises a locking element that engages a surface of the instrument cap to restrict axial movement thereof within the housing.

[0029] Clause 7: The system of clause 6, wherein the locking element includes a ramped surface.

[0030] Clause 8: The system of clause 7, wherein the locking element includes a surface substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis opposite the ramped surface.

[0031] Clause 9: The system of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the housing comprises one or more retention tabs that restrict axial movement of the plurality of clamping elements therein.

[0032] Clause 10: The system of any of clauses 1-9, wherein the housing comprises one or more separation elements operable to release engagement between the plurality of clamping elements.

[0033] Clause 11: The system of clause 10, wherein the one or more separation elements include depressible tabs deflectable inward towards the interior cavity.

[0034] Clause 12: The system of clause 11, wherein the depressible tabs comprise portions of a sidewall of the housing movable about a living hinge.

[0035] Clause 13: A syringe cap removal device, comprising: a housing comprising: a first end, a second end, an interior cavity, one or more separation elements deflectable inward towards the interior cavity, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end; a first clamping element positioned within the interior cavity; and a second clamping element positioned within the interior cavity, wherein the second clamping element is magnetically engageable with the first clamping element, wherein the first and second clamping elements are moveable with respect to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first and second clamping elements are configured to receive the syringe cap therebetween to restrict axial movement of the syringe cap.

[0036] Clause 14: The system of clause 13, wherein the first and second clamping elements each comprise a locking element that engages a surface of the syringe cap to restrict axial movement thereof.

[0037] Clause 15: The system of clause 13 or clause 14, wherein the housing comprises one or more retention tabs that restrict axial movement of the plurality of clamping elements therein.

[0038] Clause 16: The system of any of clauses 13-15, wherein the one or more separation elements comprises two separation elements circumferentially offset by 180° and operable to release engagement between the first and second clamping elements.

[0039] Clause 17: A method of removing a cap from an instrument, comprising: inserting an instrument with a cap into the instrument cap removal device of any of clauses 1-16, wherein inserting the instrument includes positioning the cap between the plurality of clamping elements; restricting axial movement of the cap with the plurality of clamping elements; and withdrawing the instrument from the instrument cap removal device such that the cap remains in the instrument cap removal device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following descriptions of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0041] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a cap removal assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0042] Fig. 2 is a partially exploded assembly view of the cap removal assembly of Fig. 1;

[0043] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a housing of the cap removal assembly of Fig. 1;

[0044] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cap removal assembly of Fig. 1;

[0045] Fig. 5 is a side view of a syringe coupled to the cap removal assembly of Fig. 1;

[0046] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view the syringe coupled to the cap removal assembly of Fig. 5;

[0047] Fig. 7 is another cross-sectional view the syringe coupled to the cap removal assembly of Fig. 5;

[0048] Fig. 8 is cross-sectional view a syringe cap within the cap removal assembly of Fig. 1;

[0049] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a syringe coupled to the cap removal assembly of Fig. 1;

[0050] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view the syringe coupled to the cap removal assembly of Fig. 9; and

[0051] Fig. 11 is another cross-sectional view the syringe coupled to the cap removal assembly of Fig. 9DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments contemplated for carrying out the invention. Various modifications, equivalents, variations, and alternatives, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, variations, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0053] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concept as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the concept may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the concept. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

[0054] The words “comprising” and “comprises”, and the like, do not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. In the present specification, “comprises” means “includes” and “comprising” means “including.”

[0055] As used herein, “at least one of’ is synonymous with “one or more of.” For example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, or C” means any one of A, B, or C, or any combination of any two or more of A, B, or C. For example, “at least one of A, B, and C” includes A alone; or B alone; or C alone; or A and B; or A and C; or B and C; or all of A, B, and C.

[0056] The term “at least” is synonymous with “greater than or equal to.” The terms “first”, “second”, and the like are not intended to refer to any particular order or chronology, but refer to different conditions, properties, or elements. As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0057] All numbers used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. By “about” is meant within plus or minus twenty- five percent of the stated value. However, this should not be considered as limiting to any analysis of the values under the doctrine of equivalents.

[0058] Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges or ratios disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass the beginning and ending values and any and all subranges or subratios subsumed therein. For example, a stated range or ratio of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges or subratios between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges or subratios beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less. The ranges and / or ratios disclosed herein represent the average values over the specified range and / or ratio.

[0059] Reference is now made to Figs. 1-4 which show a cap removal device, generally designated as 10, operable to safely and securely remove and / or replace a cap on a needle, syringe, and / or other sharp instrument or device. The cap removal device 10 may include or define housing 12 defining or including a first end 14, a second end 16 opposite the first end 14, and an interior cavity 18 extending at least partially between the first and second ends 14, 16. A longitudinal axis Al may extend in a direction traversing the housing 12 from the first end 14 to the second end 16.

[0060] The housing 12 may include or define an opening 20 at or near the first end 14 providing access into the interior cavity 18. The housing 12 may include or define one or more retention tabs 22 extending at least partially into the opening 20 from a rim or circumference of a portion of the first end 14 surrounding the opening 20. The one or more retention tabs 22 may be circumferentially spaced and / or radially offset from each other around the housing 12. In one non-limiting example, the one or more retention tabs 22 may include two tabs spaced 180° apart from each other. In another non-limiting example, the one or more retention tabs 22 may be spaced equidistant from each other around a perimeter or circumference of the housing 12.

[0061] The housing 12 may include or define one or more separation elements 24 coupled to and / or defined by a sidewall of the housing 12. The one or more separation elements 24 may be depressible and / or at least partially movable into the interior cavity 18 in a direction substantially perpendicular and / or transverse to the longitudinal axis. In one non-limiting example, the separation elements may include or define a portion of the sidewall of the housing 12 that forms or includes a living hinge such that a portion of the one or more separation elements 24 can be deflected inwards into the interior cavity 18. The one or more separation elements 24 may be movable or deflectable from a first position where at least a portion of the one or more separation elements 24 is substantially aligned with and / or parallel to an exterior surface or perimeter of the housing 12, to a second position where at least a portion of the one or more separation elements 24 is angled and / or non-parallel with respect to an exterior surfaceor perimeter of the housing 12. The one or more separation elements 24 may be biased towards the first position.

[0062] The one or more separation elements 24 may be circumferentially spaced and / or radially offset from each other around the housing 12. In one non-limiting example, the one or more separation elements 24 may include two retention elements spaced 180° apart from each other. In another non-limiting example, the one or more separation elements 24 may be spaced equidistant from each other around a perimeter or circumference of the housing 12.

[0063] The housing 12 may be sized and shaped to accommodate or receive a cap of a needle, syringe, injector, or other sharp-edged instrument, as described herein. In one non-limiting example, the housing 12 may have a substantially cylindrical shape. Alternatively, other polygonal shapes or cross-sectional profiles may be implemented to provide the features and functions disclosed herein.

[0064] The housing 12 may be constructed from sufficiently durable materials to provide the features and functions disclosed herein, which may include polymers, metals, and / or combinations or composites thereof. The housing 12 may include one or more anchors, fasteners, or other components to enable the housing 12 to be attached or secured to a surface in a patient environment or clinical setting. In addition and / or alternatively, the housing 12 may include one or more gripping or grasping features enabling or facilitating hand held use.

[0065] The cap removal device 10 may include one or more clamping elements 26 at least partially positioned within the interior cavity 18 of the housing and operable to restrict, retain, and / or otherwise capture a cap of a needle, syringe, or other device as described herein. The clamping elements 26 may be sized and shaped to be positioned at least partially within the interior cavity 18 of the housing. The one or more clamping elements 26 may be supported by, connected to, or otherwise engaged with at least a portion of the housing 12 to maintain the desired position of the one or more clamping elements 26. In one non-limiting example, the housing 12 may include or define a shelf 28 to support the axial position of the one or more clamping elements 26 within the housing 12.

[0066] The one or more clamping elements 26 may releasably engageable with each other. The one or more clamping elements 26 may be movable within the housing 12 from a first position where the one or more clamping elements 26 are engaged, coupled, or otherwise in contact with each other, to a second position where the one or more clamping elements 26 are disengaged, de-coupled, or otherwise spaced apart from each other. The movement of the one or more clamping elements 26 from the first position to the second position may be along an axis substantially transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Al of the device 10.

[0067] The one or more clamping elements 26 may be biased towards the first, engaged position such that an external force or actuation is required to transition the one or more clamping elements 26 to the second disengaged position. The one or more clamping elements 26 may automatically return to the first position from the second position when the external force or actuation is removed or released. In one non-limiting example, the one or more clamping elements 26 may be magnetized or otherwise magnetically attracted to each other. In another example, an elastic member, such as a spring, elastic band, or the like may be coupled to and / or integrated with the one or more clamping elements 26 to provide the biased positioning and features disclosed herein.

[0068] In one non-limiting example, the one or more clamping elements 26 comprises a pair of clamping elements. In another example, more than two clamping elements may be implemented. The one or more clamping elements 26 may each include or define a substantially semi-cylindrical shape such that, when the one or more clamping elements 26 are engaged to one another, a substantially cylindrical body is formed that can receive at least a portion of a cap of a needle, syringe, or other device therein. The one or more clamping elements may be concentrically and / or coaxially aligned or oriented with respect to the housing 12.

[0069] Some and / or all of the clamping elements 26 may include or define one or more locking elements 30 configured and / or operable to engage, abut, or contact a cap of a needle, syringe, injector, or other sharp-edged instrument, as described herein to restrict movement of the cap while in the interior cavity 18 of the housing 12. In one example, the one or more locking elements 30 may each include a protrusion or other surface extending radially and / or transverse to the longitudinal axis inwardly towards the interior cavity 18 of the housing 12. The locking element 30 may include or define a substantially planar surface 30a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Al, where the substantially planar surface faces or is oriented downward and / or in the direction of the second end 16 of the housing 12. The locking element 30 may include a ramped or sloped surface 30b opposite the planar surface 30. The ramped or sloped surface 30b may face upwards and / or be oriented toward the first end 14 of the housing 12.

[0070] The one or more locking elements 30 may be positioned on or about the clamping elements 26 such that the locking elements 30 are adjacent or in proximity to the opening 20 and / or first end 14 of the housing 12. The one or more locking elements 30 may be radially or circumferentially spaced around a perimeter or edge of the clamping elements 26. In one nonlimiting example, the one or more locking elements 30 may include two locking elements spaced 180° apart from each other, with one locking element positioned, extending from,and / or otherwise coupled to each clamping element. In another non-limiting example, the one or more locking elements 30 may be spaced equidistant from each other around a perimeter or circumference of the clamping element 26 and / or housing 12.

[0071] In a non-limiting example of use, the cap removal device 10 may be used to remove and replace a cap of a needle, syringe, or other sharp instrument. Initially, the cap removal device 10 may be provided or positioned for utilization with the clamping elements 26 engaged to each other in the first position as shown in Fig. 1. The cap removal device 10 may be anchored or attached to a table or other surface in a clinical environment, or may be hand held for use.

[0072] Now referring to Figs. 5-6, an instrument 40 with a cap 42 may be at least partially inserted through the opening 20 in the first end 14, into the interior cavity 18 of the housing 12, and between the clamping elements 26. In the illustrated example, the instrument 40 comprises a syringe with a barrel 44, a plunger 46, and a needle 48, though other instruments may be utilized and benefit from the features disclosed herein. In one example, the cap 42 may include a rigid outer shield 42a and an inner needle shield 42b. However, single piece caps and / or other multi-part cap configurations may be removable and replaceable employing the structures, components, and features disclosed herein. Insertion of the cap 42 into the housing 12 disengages the clamping elements 26 from each other and transitions the clamping elements 26 to the second position. The separation or disengagement of the clamping elements 26 by the insertion of the cap 42 may be facilitated at least in part by the sloped surface 30b of the locking elements 30 on the clamping elements, which are contacted by the cap during insertion. Alternatively, a tapered or angled surface of the cap 42 itself may force the clamping elements 26 to separate.

[0073] Now referring to Fig. 7, when insertion of the instrument 40 and the cap 42 into the interior cavity 18 between the clamping elements 26 has reached a sufficient depth and / or moved towards the second end 16 and past the locking elements 30, the clamping elements 26 may move back to the first, engaged position as a result of their biased configuration. In this first position, the locking elements 30 move radially inward to axially restrict removal or movement of the cap 42 within the housing 12. In one example, the substantially planar surface 30a of the locking elements 30 abuts, engages, or otherwise contacts a rim, flange, perimeter, indentation, or other portion 42c of the cap to prevent axial movement and removal of the cap 42 from the housing 12. In addition and / or alternatively to the locking elements 30 interaction with the cap 42, the clamping elements 26 may provide a lateral compression or clamping force on the cap 42 to restrict movement or removal thereof.

[0074] Now referring to Fig. 8, the instrument 40 may be axially removed from the cap removal device 10 while the clamping elements 26 prevent the cap 42 from exiting the housing 12, thereby removing the cap 42 from the instrument 40. The retention tabs 22 prevent removal of the clamping elements 26 from the housing when the instrument 40 is removed while the clamping elements 26 engage the cap 42. With the instrument 40 removed from the cap removal device 10, the cap 42 remains in the interior cavity 18 and between the clamping elements 26.

[0075] Now referring to Figs. 9-10, to replace the cap 42 onto the instrument 40, the instrument 40 may be re-inserted through the opening 20 at the first end 14 of the housing to engage the cap through a friction fit, snap, fit or the like that originally engaged the cap 42 to the instrument 40 prior to removal. Once the instrument 40 has re-engaged the cap 42, the separation elements 24 may be actuated to disengage the clamping elements 26 from each other and transition to the second position. In one example, the separation elements 24 may be actuated by depressing or deflecting an outer surface of the housing 12 such that a portion of the separation elements 26 wedges into a seam or joint between the clamping elements 26 to space the clamping elements 26 apart from each other.

[0076] Now referring to Fig. 11, once the separation elements 24 have been actuated to transition the clamping elements 26 to the second, disengaged position, then the instrument 40 with the attached cap 42 can be axially withdrawn from the cap removal device 10 without the locking elements 30 and / or the clamping elements 26 restricting or preventing removal of the cap 42 form the housing 12.

[0077] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. Of note, the system components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Moreover, while certain embodiments or figures described herein may illustrate features not expressly indicated on other figures or embodiments, it is understood that the features and components of the examples disclosed herein are not necessarily exclusive of each other and may be included in a variety of different combinations or configurations without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the disclosure, which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An instrument cap removal device, comprising: a housing comprising a first end, a second end, an interior cavity, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the interior cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of an instrument cap; and a plurality of clamping elements positioned within the interior cavity, wherein the plurality of clamping elements are releasably engageable with each other to restrict axial movement of the instrument cap within the housing.

2. The instrument cap removal device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of clamping elements are moveable with respect to each other along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis.

3. The instrument cap removal device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of clamping elements are magnetically engageable with each other.

4. The instrument cap removal device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of clamping elements includes a first semi-cylindrical body magnetically engageable with a second semi- cylindrical body.

5. The instrument cap removal device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of clamping elements are biased towards engaging each other.

6. The instrument cap removal device of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of clamping elements comprises a locking element that engages a surface of the instrument cap to restrict axial movement thereof within the housing.

7. The instrument cap removal device of claim 6, wherein the locking element includes a ramped surface.

8. The instrument cap removal device of claim 7, wherein the locking element includes a surface substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis opposite the ramped surface.

9. The instrument cap removal device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises one or more retention tabs that restrict axial movement of the plurality of clamping elements therein.

10. The instrument cap removal device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises one or more separation elements operable to release engagement between the plurality of clamping elements.

11. The instrument cap removal device of claim 10, wherein the one or more separation elements include depressible tabs deflectable inward towards the interior cavity.

12. The instrument cap removal device of claim 11, wherein the depressible tabs comprise portions of a sidewall of the housing movable about a living hinge.

13. A syringe cap removal device, comprising: a housing comprising: a first end, a second end, an interior cavity, one or more separation elements deflectable inward towards the interior cavity, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end; a first clamping element positioned within the interior cavity; and a second clamping element positioned within the interior cavity, wherein the second clamping element is magnetically engageable with the first clamping element, wherein the first and second clamping elements are moveable with respect to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first and second clamping elements are configured to receive the syringe cap therebetween to restrict axial movement of the syringe cap.

14. The syringe cap removal device of claim 13, wherein the first and second clamping elements each comprise a locking element that engages a surface of the syringe cap to restrict axial movement thereof.

15. The syringe cap removal device of claim 13, wherein the housing comprises one or more retention tabs that restrict axial movement of the plurality of clamping elements therein.

16. The syringe cap removal device of claim 13, wherein the one or more separation elements comprises two separation elements circumferentially offset by 180° and operable to release engagement between the first and second clamping elements.

17. A method of removing a cap from an instrument, comprising: providing an instrument cap removal device, having a housing comprising a first end, a second end, an interior cavity, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the interior cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of an instrument cap; a plurality of clamping elements positioned within the interior cavity, wherein the plurality of clamping elements are releasably engageable with each other to restrict axial movement of the instrument cap within the housing; inserting an instrument with a cap into the instrument cap removal device, wherein inserting the instrument includes positioning the cap between the plurality of clamping elements; restricting axial movement of the cap with the plurality of clamping elements; and withdrawing the instrument from the instrument cap removal device such that the cap remains in the instrument cap removal device.

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