Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for destroying a syringe needle, having a housing, first and second walls in opposed relationship in the housing and defining therebetween a needle burn chamber, the distance between the first and second surfaces being at least the length of the needle, the first surface defining a first opening therethrough, needle receiver in the chamber movable between the first and second surfaces and defining a second opening therethrough which is coaxial with the first opening, a first electrical contact on the needle receiver, a first electrical contact on the needle receiver, a second electrical contact on the second surface and being in association with the second opening, power source connected to the first and second contacts, a waste collector disposed in the housing beneath and in communication with the burn chamber, the waste collector being removable from the housing, and spring loaded needle guide for moving the needle receiver toward the first opening; so that when the needle is inserted through the first and second openings to be in contacting relationship to the needle receiver and the needle receiver is moved toward the second surface, the tip of the needle engages the second contact closing the circuit between the contacts and melting the needle along at least most of its length with the resultant melted waste falling into the waste collector.

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First Claim