Used surgical sharps container with re-usable magnetic base

Abstract

A new and useful container is disclosed for storing 'sharps', e.g., surgical needles or blades, comprising: (a) base means formed of a reusable and sterilizable material containing a source of magnetism; (b) collecting means for surgical needles or blades, said collecting means shaped to provide an interlocking fit with said base means; and (c) cover means with said collecting means to form an enclosure, said cover means capable of tight-fitting engagement with and placement over said collecting means to prevent said surgical needles or blades from escaping from said enclosure when said cover means is in tight-fitting engagement with said collecting means, said collecting means and said cover means attached to each other by hinge means, said collecting means being provided with locking means to lock said cover means with said collecting means when said cover means is in tight fitting engagement with said collecting means. Preferably, the base comprises two or more parallel magnetized ribs mounted on and protruding from a platform, which exist in tight-fitting engagement with conforming apertures in the collecting means, which ribs and apertures synergistically (1) provide a source of magnetism just adequate to attract all sharps when placed into the container and (2) secure the sharps between the collecting means and cover means when the locking means is locked.