Technicare Corporation

National Syringe Disposal, Inc.

Jack R Sorwick

Thomas Pearce

David E Wood

Philip E Clements

Arthur W Wallace

Gunnar Lindgren

Paul Welborn

David B Swezey

Richard E Molesworth

A syringe disposal apparatus has a portable collection unit (1) and a processing unit (2'). The collection unit (1) has an in-feed mechanism (11) to allow syringes to be introduced into the collection unit (1); and an interlock mechanism (12) suitable for removably securing the collection unit (1) to the processing unit (2') and emptying the syringes from the collection unit (1) into the processing unit (2'). The processing unit (2') contains an interlock mechanism (20) suitable to activating the collection unit interlock mechanism (11); a hammer mill (43) for initially breaking up the syringes (45) into discrete pieces (45'); a paddle wheel (44) to regulate the passage of the broken syringe pieces to a grinder (21) suitable for grinding the syringes into particles of metal and plastic; a crucible assembly (22) suitable for heating these particles above the melting point of plastic, and then cooling to produce a solid puck of plastic in which the metal particles are suspended and encapsulated; and a controlling means (50) to coordinate the efficient operation of the members of the processing unit (2').

Syringe disposal apparatus and method

A syringe disposal apparatus has a portable collection unit and a process unit. The collection unit has an in-feed mechanism to allow syringes to be introduced into the collection unit; and an interlock mechanism suitable for removably securing the collection unit to the processing unit and emptying the syringes from the collection unit into the processing unit. The processing unit contains an interlock mechanism suitable to activating the collection unit interlock mechanism; a grinder suitable for grinding the syringes into particles of metal and plastic; and a crucible assembly suitable for heating these particles above the melting point of plastic, and then cooling to produce a solid puck of plastic in which the metal particles are suspended and encapsulated.

An ultrasound sector scan imaging system employing a hand held scan unit is provided with an adapter mounting which is affixed over the scan section, and a sterile glove or boot which encloses the scanner and the mount. A disposable needle guide mechanism is fitted, saddle style, to the mounting over the boot. The disposable guide has a channel for locating the biopsy needle in the sector scan plane, and a depression therein for hand-maintenance of the needle in the guide, during the needle location process, and for free removal of the scanner once the desired position is achieved.

Biopsy needle guide for sector scanner

A curved faced, disc shaped transducer and an oppositely facing, circular angularly disposed mirror form the transmission and reception path of a mechanical sector scan imaging system. The transducer and mirror are mounted on a common axis, and a shaft upon which the mirror is affixed oscillates about that axis. Through a belt drive mechanism, a motor provides the oscillating motion, in turn scanning the ultrasound beams through the subject by virtue of the mirror motion. An optical encoder records positional information from the motor, for coordination of the mirror oscillation with transducer signals, and thereby for the assembly of a composite image.

Growing community of inventors

Parker, CO, United States of America

Jack R Sorwick