Apparatus and methods for transporting and discarding medical materials

Abstract

A container assembly for transport of new devices and for later disposal of sharps and other medical waste, the assembly comprising a secure closure for transport and tamper evidence upon its being opened for access to new devices is disclosed and claimed. The transport and disposal container assembly preferably has a container body with a device ingress and egress opening, a lid for use with multiple-sized container bodies and at least one apparatus which produces tamper evidence when accessing new devices stored for transport within the assembly. Evidence of tampering comprises at least one of (1) a collar which releasibly, but securely interconnects the container body and lid for transport of new devices, (2) a shrink wrap disposed over the entire container and (3) a seal over the container body opening. In one embodiment, the container assembly, when used for disposal, includes a lid having a self-closing biased flap and a cradle member and a safety guard disposed inside the assembly which restricts direct or line-of-sight access to sharps and medical waste previously deposited within the assembly. In addition a lid having a tube cutter and a lock which permanently restricts access to the assembly when the container is filled or retired from use is disclosed. Also, a unitary lid made by a single injection molding step is disclosed.