Phlebotomy Needle Destruction via Ohmic Heating and Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phlebotomy needles, being double-ended and complex in design, pose challenges in safe disposal due to their large volume and the risk of needlestick injuries, as well as the difficulty in recycling their various components.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing clamping and tip electrodes to apply voltage and axial force, causing Ohmic heating and deformation of both ends of the phlebotomy needle into blunt balls, while minimizing heat transfer to the hub to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phlebotomy needles are disposed of in sharps bins, then safety from needlestick injuries is improved, but the large volume of needles quickly fills the bins and increases disposal frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the hub component from the phlebotomy needle assembly before disposal. By separating the hub (containing the vacuum container connection mechanism) from the needle, the volume of material requiring disposal in sharps bins is reduced, while the needle itself is still safely deactivated and disposed of.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables recovery and reuse of the hub component, which is typically discarded with the needle. The hub can be cleaned, sterilized, and reused for subsequent blood collection procedures, reducing the overall volume of waste material that needs to be disposed of in sharps bins.
2Reliability
If conventional hypodermic needle destruction methods are used on phlebotomy needles, then sterilization is improved, but the complex structure with hub and vacuum container prevents effective destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the phlebotomy needle into separate components: the needle itself and the hub with vacuum container. This segmentation allows the needle to be subjected to effective destruction and sterilization methods, while the hub is handled separately, avoiding the problems caused by the complex integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the hub component from the needle assembly before applying destruction methods. By removing the hub (which contains the vacuum container and connection mechanisms), the needle can be effectively destroyed and sterilized without interference from the complex hub structure.
3Reliability
If the needle is heated to melting point for destruction, then sterilization is improved, but heat transfer to the hub may cause damage to adhesive bonds and plastic components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the hub from the needle before applying high-temperature heating for destruction and sterilization. By separating these components, the needle can be heated to melting point without risking thermal damage to the hub's adhesive bonds and plastic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a separation step as an intermediary between the needle and hub. This intermediary action (removal of hub) protects the heat-sensitive hub components from direct exposure to high temperatures, allowing effective sterilization of the needle without compromising hub integrity.
4Reliability
If both ends of the double-ended needle are treated for safety, then protection from needlestick injuries is improved, but the processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the hub from the needle assembly, which automatically protects one end of the double-ended needle (the end connected to the hub). This extraction eliminates the need to separately treat that end for safety, reducing processing time while still ensuring protection from needlestick injuries.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively renders both ends of the phlebotomy needle safe by blunting them, sterilizes the needle through heat, and facilitates easier recycling by separating the components, thus addressing the disposal and recycling challenges.
Implementation Method 1
an electric current passes through the respective first or second end of the needle between the clamping electrode and the tip electrode, which current results, in use, in Ohmic heating, which heats and softens or melts the respective first or second tip of the needle
Implementation Method 2
means for applying a force to the tip electrode so as to cause it, as the tip of the needle softens or melts, to move towards the hub of the needle substantially parallel to an axis of the needle
Implementation Method 3
heating the needle to or near its melting point, the heat of which destroys any viruses, bacteria and contaminants
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for processing a phlebotomy needle having a double-ended needle with a tub between its tips. The apparatus has a clamping electrode for contacting/clamping one end of the needle between the hub and tip and tip electrode for contacting the needle as its tip. A voltage is applied between the clamping electrode and the tip electrode, to soften/melt the needle via resistive heating, at the same time as the tip electrode is advanced to compress the needle tip and blunt it. The apparatus includes means for allowing the needle to be rotated through so that the first tip and the second tip can be blunted. Also disclosed is means for detaching the needle from a main body and/or for removing a cover covering one end of the needle. The apparatus enables a Vacutainer-type needle to be disassembled into its various parts and the needle rendered blunt and non-hazardous.