초록 ▼

A needle holder has a variety of features that make it an optimal device for safe storage and disposal of hypodermic needles. The needle holder of the present invention includes at least one hypodermic needle retainer for engaging and keeping a hypodermic needle. Further, the needle holder includes

A needle holder has a variety of features that make it an optimal device for safe storage and disposal of hypodermic needles. The needle holder of the present invention includes at least one hypodermic needle retainer for engaging and keeping a hypodermic needle. Further, the needle holder includes a receptacle that may accommodate surgical needles or other small sharps or biologically contaminated articles. The needle holder may be easily and conveniently employed in a variety of settings. Alternative embodiments will accommodate double-ended hypodermic needles, and will also accommodate larger versions of hypodermic needles such as thoracic, cardiac, or spinal needles, and which has additional support provision including hook arms and an adhesive layer.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A hypodermic needle holder for safely storing and disposing of a hypodermic needle, and comprising:a body portion and a lid portion connected to said body portion and a main opening lockably coverable by said lid portion, said lid portion pivotably moveable between a first, open position and a se

1. A hypodermic needle holder for safely storing and disposing of a hypodermic needle, and comprising:a body portion and a lid portion connected to said body portion and a main opening lockably coverable by said lid portion, said lid portion pivotably moveable between a first, open position and a second, closed locked position wherein said opening of said body portion is fixably enclosed by said lid portion;at least a plurality of needle retaining openings, each needle retaining opening associated with and in communication with an isolated chamber accessible through its associated one of said at least a plurality of needle retaining openings, and wherein said isolated chamber includes a plurality of projections for frictionally engaging and retaining a hypodermic needle, each of said projections protruding generally toward the longitudinal axis of said isolated chamber and extending generally downward into said isolated chamber for grasping and frictionally engaging a hypodermic needle, each needle retaining opening in communication with said main opening for frictionally engaging and retaining said hypodermic needle by at least frictional engagement upon insertion of said hypodermic needle within said needle retaining opening; andsupport structure, connected to said body portion, for enabling said hypodermic needle holder to be stably supported and utilized for frictionally engaging and retaining said hypodermic needle without manual grasping. 2. The hypodermic needle holder as recited in claim 1 and wherein said lid portion further includes a raised projection for engaging and fitting within said main opening for securing said lid portion in a closed position for retention of contents of said hypodermic needle holder. 3. The hypodermic needle holder as recited in claim 1 and wherein said isolated chamber has a frustoconical first portion adjacent a tapering second portion. 4. The hypodermic needle holder as recited in claim 1 and further comprising at least one container in communication with said main opening for the disposal of miscellaneous dangerous material. 5. The hypodermic needle holder as recited in claim 4 and wherein said container is frustoconical. 6. A hypodermic needle holder for safely storing and disposing of a hypodermic needle, and comprising:a body portion and a lid portion connected to said body portion and a main opening lockably coverable by said lid portion, said lid portion pivotably moveable between a first, open position and a second, closed locked position wherein said opening of said body portion is fixably enclosed by said lid portion;at least a plurality of needle retaining openings, each needle retaining opening associated with and in communication with an isolated chamber accessible through its associated one of said at least a plurality of needle retaining openings, and wherein said isolated chamber includes at least one protection in a radial direction for frictionally engaging and retaining a hypodermic needle, each needle retaining opening in communication with said main opening for frictionally engaging and retaining said hypodermic needle by at least frictional engagement upon insertion of said hypodermic needle within said needle retaining opening;at least one frusto-conical container in communication with said main opening for the disposal of miscellaneous dangerous material andsupport structure, connected to said body portion, for enabling said hypodermic needle holder to be stably supported and utilized for frictionally engaging and retaining said hypodermic needle without manual grasping, and including at least two arm members for enhancing the upright stability of said hypodermic needle holder. 7. The hypodermic needle holder as recited in claim 6 and wherein said support structure further comprises a layer of adhesive attached to said hypodermic needle holder for enhancing the upright stability of said hypodermic needle holder. 8. The hypodermic needle holder as recited in claim 6 and wherein said arm members are hook arm members each having at least a lateral member having a first end connected to said hypodermic needle holder and a second end, and an opposing member having a first end connected to said second end of said lateral member and extending opposite a surface of said hypodermic needle holder. 9. The hypodermic needle holder as recited in claim 6 and wherein said hypodermic needle holder is fabricated from a polymeric, at least slightly resilient material. 10. The hypodermic needle holder as recited in claim 9 and wherein said polymeric, slightly resilient material is plastic. 11. A hypodermic needle holder for safely storing and disposing of a hypodermic needle, and comprising:a body portion and a lid portion connected to said body portion and a main opening lockably coverable by said lid portion;at least a plurality of needle retaining openings, each needle retaining opening associated with and in communication with an isolated chamber, each needle retaining opening in communication with said main opening for frictionally engaging and retaining said hypodermic needle by at least frictional engagement upon insertion of said hypodermic needle within said needle retaining opening, and each of said plurality of needle retaining openings includes a plurality of planar members, each said planar member adjacent an inwardly curving wall; andsupport structure, connected to said body portion, for enabling said hypodermic needle holder to be stably supported and utilized for frictionally engaging and retaining said hypodermic needle without manual grasping. 12. A method of utilizing a hypodermic needle with a disposable hypodermic needle holder which includes an opening having a needle retainer disposed therein, the method comprising the steps of:a) affixing a hypodermic needle holder to an object;b) advancing a hypodermic needle supported by a hypodermic syringe into said opening;c) frictionally engaging said hypodermic needle to said needle retainer;c) de-coupling said hypodermic needle from said hypodermic syringe, to isolate said hypodermic needle and inhibit its cross contamination;d) removing said hypodermic syringe away from said openinge) advancing said hypodermic syringe toward said opening;f) coupling said hypodermic syringe to said hypodermic needle; andg) removing said hypodermic needle and attached hypodermic syringe away from said opening. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said hypodermic needle holder includes an openable and closable lid portion for selectively accessing said needle retainer, and further comprising the step of opening said lid portion to allow for the advancement of said hypodermic syringe into said opening. 14. The method of claim 12 and wherein said de-coupling of said hypodermic needle and syringe is accomplished through the use of a frictional fitting.