Apparatus for sharps protection
View Patent ↗Devices and methods are disclosed for protecting individuals from the sharp ends of medical objects following use on a patient. Such sharp objects include hypodermic needles, scalpel blades, cannulae, trocars, and the like. The invention utilizes a disposable protective cover for the used sharp. The protective cover is designed to surround and embed the sharp in a permanent cover that is blunt and will not permit further puncture or cutting with the sharp. In an embodiment, the protective cover also absorbs any fluids on or in the used sharp and prevents any fluids from escaping the protective cover. The sharp cover is configured to irreversibly lock, once closed. A refillable or replaceable dispenser dispenses the protective covers at points of use. A disposable receptacle receives the used sharp embedded in the protective cover. When the receptacle is full, the entire receptacle may be discarded in a medical waste container.
1. An apparatus adapted for entrapment and disposal of contaminated medical sharps comprising:
a shell having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the shell comprises a first, open position and a second, closed position a lip extending substantially around an entire perimeter of at least one of the lower portion and the upper portion;
a pre-defined hinge connecting the upper portion to the lower portion;
wherein an inside surface of the lip comprises a sealing flange, the sealing flange substantially extending inside a sealing receiver of at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the sealing flange is adapted to prevent a contaminated medical sharp from puncturing across an interface between the upper portion and the lower portion of the closed shell;
an opening located along an edge of at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion defining a break in the sealing flange, the opening configured to allow a medical sharp to project out of the shell when the shell is closed;
a first pad affixed to an inside surface of the lower portion, the first pad comprising a first gap-filling deformable layer disposed within the inside surface of the lower portion;
a sealing foam or gel configured to prevent fluid leakage through the opening when the shell is closed around used medical sharps, having random cross-sectional shapes, projecting through the opening; and
wherein the first pad further comprises a first adhesive layer.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pad further comprises absorbent material.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second pad affixed to an inside surface of the upper portion.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the second pad further comprises a second adhesive layer.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the second pad further comprises an absorbent material.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cover strip over the first adhesive layer, wherein the cover strip comprises a pull tab.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a non-re-openable, irreversible lock to maintain closure of the shell.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a secondary puncture resistant barrier inside the shell.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a gasket to seal the perimeter of the upper and lower shell.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lower gap-filling foam pad is imprinted with a label.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lower gap-filling foam pad further comprises a needle counting area.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lower gap filling foam pad comprises a needle re-capping station.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second pad affixed to an inside surface of the upper portion, wherein the first pad compresses and seals against the second pad to form a fluid tight seal at the opening when the shell is closed.
14. An apparatus adapted for entrapment and disposal of contaminated medical sharps comprising:
a substantially rigid shell having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion comprises a top surface and four sides and the lower portion comprises a bottom surface and four sides, further wherein the top surface and at least three of the four sides on the upper portion and the bottom surface and at least three of the four sides on the lower portion comprise an exterior that is puncture-resistant to medical sharps, wherein the shell comprises a first, open position and a second, closed position; a lip extending substantially around an entire perimeter of at least one of the lower portion and the upper portion;
a pre-defined hinge connecting the upper portion to the lower portion;
wherein an inside surface of the lip comprises a sealing flange, the sealing flange substantially extending inside a sealing receiver of at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the sealing flange is adapted to prevent a contaminated medical sharp from puncturing across an interface between the upper portion and the lower portion of the closed shell;
an opening located along an edge of at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion defining a break in the sealing flange, the opening configured to allow a medical sharp to project out of the shell when the shell is closed;
a first pad affixed to an inside surface of the lower portion, the first pad comprising a first gap-filling deformable layer disposed within the inside surface of the lower portion;
a layer affixed to the inside surface of the lower portion configured to form a fluid tight seal when the shell is closed; and
a sealing foam or gel configured to prevent fluid leakage through the opening when the shell is closed around used medical sharps, having random cross-sectional shapes, projecting through the opening.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a non-re-openable, irreversible lock to maintain closure of the shell.