Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilizing and destroying a syringe needle includes a rotating needle carriage that receives a needle in a loading position. The needle carriage includes a port sized to accept a pen-type hypodermic syringe and an insert to downsize the port for accepting a conventional hypodermic syringe. The needle carriage is rotated downwardly to a cut-off position. At the cut-off position, two opposing contact blades pinch the needle, which electrically connects the positive and negative terminals of a battery. Current flows through the contact blades to shear the needle. The sheared portion of the needle then falls into a waste compartment in the bottom of the apparatus. When the syringe is removed from the needle carriage, the needle carriage rotates upwardly and returns to the loading position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilizing and destroying a syringe needle includes a rotating needle carriage that receives a needle in a loading position. The needle carriage includes a port sized to accept a pen-type hypodermic syringe and an insert to downsize the port for accepting a conventional hypodermic syringe. The needle carriage is rotated downwardly to a cut-off position. At the cut-off position, two opposing contact blades pinch the needle, which electrically connects the positive and negative terminals of a battery. Current flows through the contact blades to shear the needle. The sheared portion of the needle then falls into a waste compartment in the bottom of the apparatus. When the syringe is removed from the needle carriage, the needle carriage rotates upwardly and returns to the loading position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing the needle portion of a hypodermic syringe and simultaneously sterilizing and destroying the needle portion of a hypodermic syringe, thereby eliminating the risk of infection by microorganisms that may be present in or on the needle. When a syringe is inserted into the apparatus, the needle is heated to a temperature sufficient to melt or at least soften the needle, and sufficient to inactivate any virus, bacteria, yeast, or other microorganism remaining on or within the needle. The needle also is cur at the location of melting so that the needle is removed from the remaining portion of the syringe. The heating and cutting elements are part of a disposable cartridge, which also contains the cut-off needle portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilizing and destroying a syringe needle includes a rotating needle carriage that receives a needle in a loading position. The needle carriage is rotated downwardly to a cut-off position. At the cut-off position, two opposing contact blades pinch the needle, which electrically connects the positive and negative terminals of a battery. Current flows through the contact blades and the needle, thereby melting the needle. A slight further rotation of the needle carriage causes the contact blades to shear the needle. The sheared portion of the needle then falls into a waste compartment in the bottom of the apparatus. When the syringe is removed from the needle carriage, the needle carriage rotates upwardly and returns to the loading position.