Sharps Container with Integrated Blade Disarming Device
A sharps container having an integrated scalpel blade disarming device (200) includes an aperture (209) formed in the side wall of the container (200). A first pushing tab (217) and second pushing tab (219) are used for providing a force to the scalpel blade (101). A notch (221) is formed between the first pushing tab (217) and second pushing tab (219) for providing a channel for the scalpel handle (103). A removal tab (223) is used for contacting a rear portion (215) of the scalpel blade (101). The invention allows the scalpel blade (101) to be easily disengaged from the scalpel handle (103) by applying both a side force and rearward force to the scalpel handle (103) where the scalpel blade (101) is engaged with the first pushing tab (217), second pushing tab (219) and removal tab (223).
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application entitled “Sharps Container with Integrated Blade Disarming Device” filed on Aug. 22, 2005, as Ser. No. 60/710,309.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates in general to a device to safely disengage and dispose of a medical scalpel blade and, more particularly, to a sharps container that includes an integrated disarming device for removing the scalpel blade from the scalpel handle.
BACKGROUNDSharps containers are typically used in the medical environment to allow doctors, nurses and other hospital personnel to safely dispose of sharp objects within a sealed container. These objects might typically include needles and/or scalpel blades. There are numerous types of medical instruments having sharp surfaces that are discarded after use. One type of sharps container that is used to disconnect and dispose of scalpel blades is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,068 to Gharibian, which is herein incorporated by reference. The container disclosed in this prior art teaches a receptacle used to safely remove a blade from a surgical scalpel while providing a container to dispose of the used blade. An aperture is used in the side of the container in connection with a plurality of parallel guide walls. Shoulders project from the guide walls along with an angled blade deflector that works to push the aperture against the deflectors. The scalpel blade is deformed allowing it to be disengaged from the scalpel handle. Once disengaged, the blade is removed from the handle where it is safely stored within the container.
One problem associated with this type of container is that is difficult to manufacture due to the angles required from the components used to release the scalpel blade. The container as described in the '068 patent requires the blade to be inserted between both shoulders where it engages with a blade deflector. If the scalpel blade is not correctly inserted between the shoulders or if the blade does not engage the blade deflector at the proper angle, it is difficult, if not impossible, to disengage the blade from the scalpel handle. Also, the blade deflector wall inhibits the travel of larger blades and scalpels into the container, making disengaging of the blade from the handle impossible. This forces the user to commit extra time and effort in order to disengage the blade from the scalpel and brings up the possibility that the user could bc injured or the entire scalpel must be discarded.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide a sharps container that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture yet still be simple to use in medical applications. The new container should permit the user to quickly disengage a scalpel blade from the scalpel handle and store the blade in a safe location. This allows the scalpel handle to be sterilized and reused with a new blade in other applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESThe accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Referring now to prior art
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
Claims
1. A sharps container with an integrated scalpel blade disarming device comprising:
- an aperture formed in the side wall of the container;
- a first pushing tab for providing a force to a first portion of the scalpel blade;
- a second pushing tab for providing a force to a second portion of scalpel blade;
- a notch formed between the first pushing tab and second pushing tab for providing a channel for the scalpel shaft;
- a removal tab for contacting a rear portion of the scalpel blade; and
- wherein the scalpel blade is disengaged from the scalpel shaft by applying both a side force and rearward force to the scalpel handle when the scalpel blade is engaged with the first pushing tab, second pushing tab and removal tab.
2. A sharps container as in claim 1, wherein the notch is substantially square in shape.
3. A sharps container as in claim 1, wherein the side force acts to flex the scalpel blade in a direction opposite that of the first pushing tab and second pushing tab for disengaging it from the scalpel shaft.
4. A sharps container as in claim 1, comprising a blade reservoir for containing the spent blade within a fixed enclosure.
5. A sharps container as in claim 1, further comprising a guard for preventing the scalpel blade from moving vertically outside the notch.
6. A sharps container as in claim 1, wherein the removal tab is located adjacent to the aperture.
7. A multi-function sharps container used for removing a scalpel blade and storing the scalpel blade in a containment area comprising:
- at least one aperture for receiving a scalpel blade;
- a first pushing tab for providing a force to an upper portion of the scalpel blade;
- a second pushing tab for providing a force to a lower portion of the scalpel blade;
- a notch located between the first pushing tab and second pushing tab for receiving a portion of the scalpel shaft;
- a removal tab located adjacent to the at least one aperture for contacting a rear portion of the scalpel blade;
- a scalpel blade containment area; and
- wherein a force is applied to the scalpel shaft for enabling the first pushing tab and second pushing tab to displace the scalpel blade such that it can be removed into the scalpel blade containment area.
8. A multi-function sharps container as in claim 7, wherein the scalpel blade includes a fastening aperture with fastening channel for engaging with the scalpel shaft.
9. A multi-function sharps container as in claim 7, wherein the container is formed into two half sections with the first pushing tab, second pushing tab and removal tab all located in one of the two half sections.
10. A multi-function sharps container as in claim 9, wherein the two half sections are hinged for opening the scalpel blade containment area.
11. A multi-function sharps container as in claim 7, further comprising a guard enclosing the notch for preventing the scalpel blade from moving vertically outside of the notch.
12. A method for removing a scalpel blade using a sharps container comprising the steps of:
- inserting the scalpel blade and blade shaft in the side wall of the container;
- providing a force from a first pushing tab to a first portion of the scalpel blade;
- providing a force from a second pushing tab to a second portion of the scalpel blade;
- utilizing a notch formed between the first pushing tab and second pushing tab for providing a channel for guiding the scalpel shaft;
- utilizing a rear portion of the scalpel blade for engaging with a removing tab; and
- disengaging the scalpel blade from the scalpel shaft by applying both a side force and rearward force to the scalpel handle.
13. A method for removing a scalpel blade using a sharps container as in claim 12, further comprising the step of:
- removing the scalpel shaft from the sharps container without the scalpel blade.
14. A method for removing a scalpel blade using a sharps container as in claim 12, further comprising the step of:
- allowing the scalpel blade to remain inside the sharps container.
15. A method for removing a scalpel blade using a sharps container further comprising the step of:
- utilizing a guard to prevent the scalpel blade from moving vertically from within the notch.
16. A method for removing a scalpel blade using a sharps container as in claim 15, further comprising the step of:
- positioning the first pushing tab, second pushing tab, a predetermined distance from the removing tab.
17. A method for removing a scalpel blade using a sharps container as in claim 15, wherein the removing tab is positioned integral with the aperture.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 11, 2006
Publication Date: Feb 22, 2007
Inventors: Mark Zyzelewski (Kalamazoo, MI), Dan Bowen (Grand Rapids, MI)
Application Number: 11/456,700
International Classification: B65D 83/10 (20060101);