Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method to protect medical care workers from accidental needle sticks with syringe needles that have been contaminated by blood or other body fluids, such as after use on a patient. The device renders the syringe readily disposable with minimal risk and itself is intended to be discarded in locked configuration with the contaminated syringe. The apparatus is comprised of a hollow cylinder of a hard material. The cylinder is preferably fabricated to have a circular cross-section. The device preferably contains a recess on at least one of the substantially circular ends. Disposed at the lowest portion of the recess is an asterisk aperture comprised of points generated by the intersection of adjoining radially disposed cuts, which cuts radiate outward toward, but not reaching, the periphery of the end which intersects with the cylindrical surface. Each of the points about the circumference of the asterisk aperture will flex when a needle is inserted into the aperture so far that the hub of the needle between said needle and the syringe body is also inserted. The points engage the hub thereby locking and preventing withdrawal of the hub from the inventive device after insertion. Also disposed within the device substantially adjacent each asterisk aperture is a substantially circular seal preferably fabricated from a soft rubber or plastic material such that the seal may be readily penetrated by the needle but which will prevent discharge of any fluid escaping from the syringe after the same has been inserted.

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First Claim