WO1998029322A1

WO1998029322A1 - Surgical needle discard container

Info

Publication number: WO1998029322A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/020484
Authority: WO
Inventors: Holly H. Roberts; Mark Rosen; Mirzat Koc
Original assignee: American Surgical Supply, Inc.
Priority date: 1996-12-27
Filing date: 1996-12-27
Publication date: 1998-07-09
Also published as: AU1344197A

Abstract

A surgical needle discard container (100) that stores used surgical needles. The discard container has separate compartments (120) defined therein by dividers (108) which are fixed to one another in a unitary structure. Each compartment is sized so as to receive a surgical needle therein. A wall (142) on one side of the container has an aperture (144) for providing selective access to one of the compartments while the wall and the container block access to the rest of the compartments. A ratchet mechanism (112, 174) is provided for relative incremental movement between the compartment structure and the wall in only one direction so that the aperture is selectively aligned with each compartment. In addition, the discard container includes a cutting device (150, 162) that severs a portion of the suture from the needle disposed in one of the compartments when the wall and the compartment structure are rotated relative to one another.

Description

SURGICAL NEEDLE DISCARD CONTAINER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for safely storing used surgical needles, and, in

particular, to a multicompartment discard container, wherein each used surgical needle is placed in a separate compartment within the container, thereby permitting the used needles to

be easily counted while being safely contained and discarded.

Surgical needles, which are used to insert a suture during surgery, represent a serious

danger to a patient if not removed from the surgical site. For example, if a needle is left in the

patient, it may perforate vital organs, cause infection, and even result in death. Therefore, it is

imperative that all surgical needles are counted at the beginning of a surgical procedure and at

the end of the procedure.

Typically, the used needles are recounted several times to ensure that each needle is

accounted for, i.e., that none of the needles are left in the patient. Because the used needles are repeatedly counted, the used needles should be stored in a device that permits recounting. A used surgical needle also represents a danger to the medical personnel responsible for

handling the needles. If a used needle perforates the attendant's skin, that needle could

transmit some infectious diseases from the patient to the attendant by blood-to-blood contact.

Avoiding this problem requires storing the used needles in a device that minimizes the chances

of the used needle contacting an individual. This is made difficult by the fact that used surgical

needles should remain visible so that an accurate count of the needles can be made repeatedly.

One conventional needle counting device that attempts to achieve these objectives

consists of a flat, bar-shaped magnetic pad having a plurality of sections identified thereon.

After each needle is used, the surgical assistant places the used needle on top of the

successively numbered portions of the magnetic pad so that an accurate count of the used needles can be made at the end of the surgical procedure. This conventional counting device, however, does not adequately prevent individuals from being exposed to the used needles

because the needles remain unshielded when placed on the surface of the magnetic pad. The

ends of many needles extend beyond the magnetic pad. The risk of exposure to the used needles is especially great when the needles are ultimately disposed of.

In addition, because the used needles typically include a portion of a suture attached

thereto, the collection of needles and sutures on an open pad can make this needle discarding

system cumbersome, and the indicia on the magnetic pad may be obscured, thereby preventing

the number of used needles stored thereon from being quickly counted. In addition, the

sutures attached to the needles placed on the magnetic pad can get snagged, pulled, etc.,

thereby displacing the used needles from their proper positions on the magnetic pad. To avoid

these problems, a separate cutting device, such as a pair of scissors, must be available for

cutting the excessive lengths of suture from the used needles so that the used needles can be effectively stored on the magnetic pad. Another conventional discard device consists of a box with a sponge or solid foam material provided at the bottom thereof. A plurality of sections are identified on the sponge

material so that the tip of the used needles can be inserted into successive sections of the

sponge. This configuration permits an accurate count to be made of the used needles.

However, because all the used needles are inserted into a sponge that is contained within the

same box, this discard device also does not adequately prevent the surgical assistant from being

exposed to injury from the used needles because the box is not closed until the end of the

operative procedure.

Furthermore, the lengths of suture attached to the used needles can make accurately inserting the used needles into their proper location even more difficult and dangerous, especially in an operating room environment where situations may arise that require surgical

assistants to perform such tasks quite rapidly. In addition, the suture attached to the needles

can be inadvertently pulled, causing the needles to be pulled out of the sponge, or can interfere

with the closing of the box. To cut the suture, a pair of scissors is used. In an invasive surgical procedure, a substantial amount of blood is present on the surgeons' and nurses' glove covered hands. Anything that these personnel handle is covered

with blood. Some procedures become stressful when unforeseen circumstances arise. Small objects like needles can easily become lost in the profuse field of blood. So a device like a

needle container should be easy to handle yet safe, easy to operate yet provide a ready visual verification of the number of needles contained therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a discard container for used surgical

needles that overcomes the problems associated with previously known surgical needle storage

devices.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a discard container that both 1)

stores used surgical needles in a manner that minimizes the risk of attendants being stuck by a

needle and 2) facilitates quick, easy, and reliable counting of the used needles.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a discard container that

does not require a separate, supplemental cutting device, such as a pair of scissors, for

removing excess lengths of suture from the used needle.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the foregoing objects are

achieved by providing a surgical needle discard container that stores used surgical needles

therein. The discard container includes a container having a plurality of separate compartments

defined therein by a plurality of dividers which are fixed to one another in a unitary structure. Each compartment is sized so as to receive a surgical needle therein. A wall on one side of the

container has an aperture for providing selective access to one of the compartments while the

wall and the container block access to the rest of the compartments. The aperture is

individually aligned with each compartment as the compartment structure and the wall are

moved relative to one another. A ratchet mechanism is provided with respect to the container

or the wall, on the one hand, and the compartment structure, on the other hand, to permit

incremental movement of the compartment structure and the wall relative to one another in

only one direction so that the aperture is selectively aligned with each compartment. In

addition, the discard container includes a cutting device. The cutting device severs the portion of the suture that extends out of the side of the container from the needle disposed in one of

the compartments when the wall and the compartment structure are rotated relative to one another.

Preferably, one of the unitary compartment structure and the wall are rotated relative to

the other. More preferably, the compartment structure comprises a plurality of dividers

radiating from a hub and is rotatably disposed in the container for rotation about an axis.

As will become apparent from the detailed description below, the present invention

solves the above-identified problems with conventional surgical needle discard devices by

sealing each used surgical needle in its own compartment so that they are not a source of

danger to the medical personnel. By an incremental rotation one of the apertured wall (e.g., a

lid) and the compartment structure relative to the other , no more than substantially one full turn, each needle is captured in its own individual compartment and the excess length of suture

is removed therefrom. At the end of the surgical procedure, the needles can be quickly,

accurately, and safely counted by visualizing each needle in its own compartment. The compartments may be numbered to facilitate counting. The entire discard container can then

be discarded.

Other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention as well as the

methods of operation and function of the related elements of structure, and the combination of

parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the

following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying

drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals

designate corresponding parts in the various figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the used needle storage device of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the lid of the needle discard container illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 in a bottom view of the lid used in the needle discard container illustrated in Fig.

1; Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the needle discard container illustrated in Fig.

6 taken along line 4-4;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lid illustrated in Fig. 3 taken along line 5-5;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled needle discard container;

Fig. 7 is a right side and front perspective view of a second embodiment of a needle

discard container in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view, on a smaller scale, of the needle discard

container of Figs. 7 and 8;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the needle discard container of Figs. 7

and 8, showing a suture cutting blade member; and Fig. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 10, showing the suture

cutting blade member removed from a guide slot;

Fig. 1 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figs. 1 and 6 illustrate a surgical needle discard container, generally indicated at 30,

according to the principles of the present invention. Discard container 30 includes a container

32, a lid 34, a lid cover 36, and a handle 44. Container 32 is generally cylindrical and divided

into a plurality of circumferentially arranged, wedge-shaped, compartments 38 around a central

hub 40. Central hub 40 is aligned with a longitudinal axis 41 of container 32. A plurality of

spoke-like dividers 42 radiate from central hub 40 to an outer wall of cylindrical container 32

to define compartments 38. Dividers 42 extend the full height of cylindrical container 32 so as

to isolate each compartment 38 from an adjacent compartment. The dividing walls 42 should

be made of a material that enhances counting and visualization of needles. In the illustrated

embodiment, compartments 38 are sized so as to easily accommodate a surgical needle 39 having a variety of different shapes and sizes therein.

Container 32 can be made from a variety of materials. However, in the illustrated

embodiment, container 32 is made from a material that permits visualization of the contents of

each compartment 38 so that one can quickly verify that a needle has been placed in a

compartment. An example of a suitable material is clear plastic.

A plurality of indicia 46 are provided around the perimeter of container 32 to identify

each compartment 38. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, indicia 46 are

integral with the container, defined during molding, for economies of manufacture. Permitting

visual inspection of the needles discarded in each compartment of container 32 and providing indicia 46 enable the number of needles used during an operation to be easily counted and

recounted without exposing the user to the needles.

Lid 34 is rotatably attached to container 32. Details of lid 34 are shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5. In the illustrated embodiment, lid 34 includes an inwardly extending circumferential lip

48 around a lower portion thereof. Lip 48 engages a circumferentially concave groove 50 provided around the perimeter of container 32 so that lid 34 snaps onto container 32 and can

be rotated relative thereto. Lip 48 and groove 50 are sized and shaped so that once lid 34 is

attached to container 32, lid 34 cannot be easily removed therefrom. It is to be understood, however, that lid 34 can be attached to container 32 in a variety of different ways so long as lid

34 is rotatable relative to container 32. By attaching lid 34 in the manner illustrated, however,

lid 34 can be removed from container 32 and replaced thereon without damaging either lid 34

or container 32, should the need arise.

Lid 34 includes an aperture 52 defined therein. Aperture 52 is sized and shaped so as to

substantially correspond to the shape of the compartment 38 when viewed from the top of the container. Lid 34 is positioned on the end of container 32 such that aperture 52 aligns with

one of the compartments 38 thereby providing access to that compartment while access to the

other compartments is blocked by the remaining portions of lid 34. As lid 34 rotates in a direction, such as that indicated by arrow A, aperture 52 is sequentially aligned with each

individual compartment 38. A used surgical needle is then placed in the compartment to which

access is provided. Lid 34 is then further rotated relative to container 32 to provide access to

the next adjacent compartment while blocking access to the preceding compartment in which

the used needle is now located. Thus, the used needles are safely, individually stored in

separate compartments in discard container 30. Thereafter, the entire discard container, including the surgical needles disposed therein, can be easily and safely disposed of without

exposing the user to the used needles.

Discard container 30 includes a mechanism that permits incremental rotation of lid 34

relative to container 32 so that aperture 52 is maintained in an aligned relationship with one of

the compartments at a time. Each incremental rotation of lid 34 places lid 34 into an aligned

relationship with the next subsequent compartment. This mechanism also permits lid 34 to be

rotated relative to container 32 in only one direction so that once a needle has been placed in a

compartment, lid 34 can not be rotated backward, thereby locking needle 39 within a

compartment. In the illustrated embodiment this mechanism is a ratchet. The ratchet includes a

plurality of ratchet teeth 54 circumferentially provided on an inside surface of lid 34. Each

tooth 54 is essentially an elongated, raised protuberance on the surface of lid 34 and includes

an inclined leading edge. At least one ratchet tooth 56 is also provided on the outer surface of

container 32. The ratchet teeth 54 on the inside lid 34 are oriented to engage and pass over

ratchet tooth $6 shown in Fig. 1 when lid 34 is properly positioned on container 32. Ratchet

teeth 54 are sized and spaced relative to one another so that tooth 56 is firmly held between

two adjacent ratchet teeth 54.

When lid 34 is rotated relative to container 32, the inclined surfaces of ratchet teeth 54

and 56 engage and produce a slight lifting effect whereby as one of the teeth 54 pass over

ratchet tooth 56 so that ratchet tooth 56 is again adjacent to the next ratchet teeth 54. This

arrangement of ratchet teeth 54 and 56 allows incremental rotation of lid 34 relative to

container 32, assists in aligning aperture 52 over each compartment 38, and locks lid 34 in

position until the next incremental rotation is required. The ratchet teeth size and spacing therebetween are selected so that aperture 52 is individually registered with each compartment during the rotation of lid 34 relative to container 32.

It is to be understood that the ratchet mechanism illustrated in the drawings is provided for purposes of illustration and may not be to scale. It is to be further understood that other

sizes, shapes, and orientations, of the ratchet teeth are contemplated by the present invention.

For example, while the ratchet mechanism has been illustrated with a plurality of teeth

provided on lid 34 and a single tooth provided on container 32, this arrangement can be

reversed.

The ratchet mechanism of the present invention includes a stopping member 58 shown

in Fig. 3 that prevents lid 34 from being rotated greater than one full turn. This prevents additional used needles from being inserted into occupied compartments once each compartment has been filled. In the illustrated embodiment, stopping member 58 is formed by

providing the last ratchet tooth from among ratchet teeth 54 with an abrupt leading edge 59.

The last ratchet tooth 58 is that tooth, from among ratchet teeth 54, that is the last to engage

tooth 56 before engagement between ratchet teeth 54 and tooth 56 could otherwise be

repeated. In Fig. 3, stopping member 58 is at the leading edge of lid aperture 52. Prior to

rotation of lid 34, stopping member 58 is aligned between the first and second compartments

when lid 34 is attached to container 32 and aperture 52 is aligned with the first compartment.

As lid 34 rotates counterclockwise relative to container 32, aperture 52 aligns with each

compartment. When aperture 52 aligns with the last compartment, stopping member 58 is

adjacent tooth 56, which is positioned proximate to the first compartment. The flat leading

edge 59 of the stopping member 58 significantly impedes stopping member 58 from overriding

ratchet tooth 56 on container 32 so that aperture 52 cannot be easily rotated from registration

with the last compartment to the initial (first) compartment. It is to be understood that other mechanisms for preventing greater that one full

rotation of lid 34 are contemplated by the present invention. For example, lid 34 and/or container 32 can include a protruding member or protruding members that engage one another after one complete rotation of lid 34, thereby preventing additional rotation.

Although not illustrated in the present figures, hub 40 can be elevated and lid 34 provided with a recess 60 (Fig. 3) to receive the elevated hub therein when lid 34 is attached

to container 32. This arrangement between the elevated hub and the recess in lid 34 acts as a

stabilizer to prevent excess lateral movement between lid 34 and container 32. This

arrangement provides accurate concentric alignment between rotating lid 34 and the elevated

hub so that accurate alignment of compartments 38 in container 32 with aperture 52 in lid 34

can be achieved.

In the illustrated embodiment, lid 34 includes thumb grips 62 provided on an outer

peripheral surface thereof. Thumb grips 62 facilitate manual rotation of lid 34 relative to container 32 by providing grips which an attendant's thumb can push against to advance lid 34.

Providing thumb grips 62 and handle 44 permit the surgical assistant to hold discard container 30 and rotate lid 34 relative to container 32 at the same time using the same hand by inserting

the fingers in handle 44 and using the thumb to rotate lid 34. While thumb grips 62 have been

illustrated and described in conjunction with lid 34, it is to be understood that a variety of

different configurations for the outer peripheral surface of lid 34 are possible to facilitate

rotation. Knurling the outer peripheral surface of lid 34 is an example of such an alternative configuration.

Lid cover 36 is provided for selectively blocking aperture 52 in lid 34. In the illustrated

embodiment, lid cover 36 comprises a substantially flat disc having a lid cover aperture 64 defined therein. Lid cover aperture 64, like aperture 52, has a size and shape that substantially matches the size and shape compartment 38 when viewed from the top of the container. In the

illustrated embodiment lid cover 36 is rotatably attached to lid 34 and lid cover aperture 64 is

aligned directly over aperture 52 to permit the used needles to pass through both apertures 64

and 52 into compartments 38. Lid cover 36 selectively closes aperture 52 by rotating lid cover 36 relative to lid 34 such that a portion of lid cover 36 overlies aperture 52.

Lid cover 36 is held in close proximity to lid 34 by protrusions 66 circumferentially provided on an inside surface of lid 34. Lid cover 36 is sized and shaped so as to be capable of

being snapped into position within lid 34 so that protrusions 66 engage a peripheral portion of

lid cover 36. The lid cover, once snapped below protrusions 66, cannot be removed as

protrusions 66 have a flat lower surface on a bottom portion thereof. The flat lower surfaces

of protrusions 66 spaced far enough away from the top flat surface of lid 34 permit lid cover

36 to rotate relative to lid 34. To facilitate its rotation, lid cover 36 includes an elevated handle

68 on a top surface thereof.

A lid cover ratchet mechanism permits incremental clockwise rotation of lid cover 36

relative to lid 34 so that lid cover 36 is maintained in position relative to lid 34 as lid 34 rotates relative to container 32. In addition, once lid cover 36 is rotated, the ratchet mechanism

prevents it from rotating counterclockwise.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lid cover ratchet mechanism comprises a plurality-of

teeth 70 circumferentially provided on an insider surface of lid 34. Teeth 70 engage slots 72

circumferentially provided on the outer periphery of lid cover 36. Teeth 70, like teeth 54, have

a slanted leading surface.

While lid cover 36 has been described above with respect to the device illustrated in the

figures, it is to be understood that the lid cover can have a variety of different configurations so

long at it serves to selectively close aperture 52. For example, lid cover 36 can be rotatable in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. In addition, lid cover 36 need not be

rotatably attached to lid 34, but instead, can be a cap that is provided over lid 34 following the

completion of the surgical procedure. It is to be understood that other configurations for teeth

70 and slots 72 are possible.

A used surgical needle typically includes a suture 74 still attached thereto. See Figs. 4 and 6. As a result, when needle 39 is dropped in compartment 38 of container 32, a portion of

suture 74 can extend beyond the end of container 32. The excess portion of suture 74 can

interfere with the proper operation of discard container 30 and-may get snagged. Thus, the present invention includes a cutting device associated with container 32 and lid 34. The cutting

device severs the portion of the suture that extends out of the container from the needle in the compartment by rotating the lid relative to the container. In the illustrated embodiment, the

cutting device comprises a first cutting blade 76 provided along an edge of the lid defining

aperture 52. A second cutting blade 78 or counter blade, opposing the first cutting blade is

provided along an edge of each divider 42. Rotating lid 34 relative to container 32 causes first

cutting blade 76 to move toward second cutting blade 78 in a scissor-like fashion so as to cut

the portion of suture 74 that extends beyond the end of container 32 away from needle 39

disposed in compartment 38. This cutting operation is automatically performed each time the

lid is rotated so that additional cutting devices are not required.

It is to be understood that only one cutting blade need be employed in the present

invention. If only one cutting blade is used, for example on the edge of the lid defining aperture

52, the other surface on the divider prevents the suture from moving so that the cutting blade

can sever the suture from the needle.

Figs. 7-10 show a needle discard container 100 having a vertical or "Ferris wheel"

design orientation. As particularly illustrated in Fig. 8, needle discard container 100 comprises a unitary injection-molded container body 102, a spoked carousel 104 and a base plate 106.

Carousel 104 includes a plurality of angularly equispaced dividers 108 extending radially from a hub 110 and having respective parallel outer edges 112. Along one side, dividers 108 are integral with a planar side panel 114 (Fig. 8).

Container body 102 includes a cylindrical wall 116 and a planar side panel 118 (Fig. 11)

integral therewith. Wall 116 and side panels 114 and 118 together define a cylindrical chamber

(not designated) which receives carousel 104. That chamber is partitioned by dividers 108 into

a plurality of wedge-shaped compartments 120 (see Figs. 9 and 10) which are sized for

receiving used surgical needles. Compartments 120 are disposed in an annular structure for rotation about a horizontal axis 121 (see Fig. 10).

Along a front side, container body 102 is formed with several elongate compartments 122 of equal size for receiving used scalpel blades 124 discarded during (or immediately after)

a surgical operation. As depicted in Fig. 11, compartments 122 are provided at upper sides

with respective narrow slots 126 (Fig. 11) which in turn are disposed at the lower ends of

tapered recesses 128. Tapered recesses 128 serve to guide discarded scalpel blades 124 to

slots 126. Slots 126 are substantially narrower that compartments 122, whereby used scalpel

blades 124 are trapped in compartments 122 upon insertion of the scalpel blades 124 through

slots 126.

Along a lower side, container body 102 is provided with side walls 118 and 130 (see

Fig. 11) which cooperate with base plate 106 and front and rear walls 132 and 134 (Figs. 9 and

10) to define an auxiliary chamber 136. Base plate 106 may be removably attached to body

102 for enabling access to chamber 136 for the deposition of relatively large sharp surgical

instruments 138 therein during a surgical procedure. Alternatively, or additionally, rear wall 134 is provided with a narrow slot 140 for enabling insertion of instruments 138 into chamber 136 without necessitating the removal of base plate 106.

Container body 102 is provided along an upper side with a panel or wall 142 having an aperture 144 formed therein for enabling the insertion of surgical needles into compartments

122 and, more particularly, into an upwardly open compartment 146 disposed directly below

the aperture 144. Aperture 144 is elongate and extends parallel to axis 121 (Fig. 10). A

similarly dimensioned aperture (not designated) is located in cylindrical wall 116 in alignment

with aperture 144. The location of these apertures in parallel to axis 121 is considered an especially ergonomic design for needle discard container 100, insofar as the insertion of used

surgical needles is facilitated. Generally, the needles are grasped via elongate forceps which

are easy to twist or rotate about their longitudinal axes to thereby insert the needles through aperture 144.

For severing a suture (not shown) connected to a surgical needle which is deposited in uppermost compartment 146, discard container 100 is provided with a cutting device 148

comprising a planar blade member 150. Blade member 150 is slidably disposed in a guide slot

152 (Figs. 9 and 10) defined in part by panel 142. Blade member 150 is attached at one end to

a flexible arm 154 in turn fixed at a lower end, opposite blade member 150, to container body

102. Flexible arm 154 has an inherent spring bias for automatically returning blade member

150 to a needle receiving position, shown in solid lines in Fig. 9, after a suture severing

operation described in detail below.

As shown in Fig. 10, blade member 150 carries a cutting edge or blade 158 along a

front end of the blade member, opposite flexible arm 154. Container body 102 is provided

along an edge of apertured panel 142 with a thumb rest 160. To sever a suture, the user places

a thumb against thumb rest 160 and the other digits of the same hand against an outer surface of flexible arm 154. A subsequent manual squeezing action shifts blade member 150 towards a

substantially vertical anvil surface 162 (Figs. 9 and 10) so that the suture is trapped between the blade member and anvil surface 162. The suture is then severed by virtue of a chopping

type action of blade member 150 and, more particularly cutting edge 158, against anvil surface

162. This method of severing the suture is preferable to a scissors-like action like that discussed above with reference to the embodiments of Figs. 1-6. In a scissors-like cutting

action, the suture can occasionally escape partitioning by bending between opposing scissors

edges, especially where the tension on the suture is low. In contrast, in cutting device 148, the

suture is always cut, regardless of the tension on the suture. Moreover, in cutting device 148,

the quality of cutting edge 158 is not of paramount importance, as it is in a reliable scissors-

type cutting device.

As illustrated in Figs. 8-10, blade member 150 is provided along its front edge, opposite flexible arm 154, with a hook or detent element 164. After a shifting of flexible arm

154 and blade member 150 toward anvil surface 162, as indicated by dashed lines 166 in Fig. 9,

and after a concomitant severing of a suture, the user releases the manual pressure exerted on

flexible arm 154. This release allows the internal spring forces of arm 154 to return blade

member 150 to the needle open position shown in solid lines in Fig. 9. Aperture 144, which

had been closed by blade member 150 during the severing of the suture, is opened. In

addition, hook 164 catches an outer edge 112 of a divider 168 on a rotationally upstream side

of the uppermost compartment 146 and incrementally turns carousel structure 104 about axis

121 to move a following compartment into position below aperture 144. It is to be noted that

a leading side 170 of hook 164 is beveled or sloped, to permit the riding of the hook over the

outer edge 1 12 of upstream divider 168 at the termination of a suture severing stroke of blade

member 150. To prevent back rotation of carousel or "Ferris wheel" structure 104 while permitting rotation of the compartmentizing structure in the one direction about axis 121, an inner surface

172 of cylindrical wall 116 is formed with a ratchet tooth or projection 174 which contacts outer edges 1 12 of dividers 108. Projection 174 has a beveled upstream side (not shown) and a sharp downstream side to control, in cooperation with outer edges 112 in a known manner,

the direction of rotation of carousel structure 104. This ratchet mechanism is enabled in part

by a certain resilience of dividers 108 which function in part like ratchet teeth.

An arrest or mechanical stop 176 is provided on carousel structure 104 for preventing

rotation of the compartmentalizing carousel more than 360°. This substantially prevents the

inadvertent insertion of more than one needle in any one compartment 120. Arrest 176

cooperates with a part of container body 102 to lock carousel 104 to container body 102.

Needle discard container 100 requires only one hand for effective operation. Container

100 is ergonomic in its needle insertion and suture cutting motions. Cutting is easy and reliable (100%). Cutting edge 158 need not be high quality; blade geometry is not critical.

Accordingly, manufacturing costs are reduced.

Container body 102, or at least panel 114 which forms a side panel of the cylindrical

compartmentalized chamber, is made of a transparent or translucent polymeric material which

enables visual inspection of compartments 120 to determine contents thereof. Side panel 114

is provided with a plurality of numerals (see Fig. 7), one corresponding to each compartment

120, for facilitating the counting of needles deposited in compartments 120.

Side panel 118 may be provided with a shaft or rod (not shown) forming an axle for

hub 110. Cooperating snap-lock elements (not shown) may be provided on the shaft and hub

110 for holding carousel 104 to container body 102. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered

to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is

not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various

modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the

appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A surgical needle discard container for storing used surgical needles, comprising: a container having therein a plurality of dividers defining separate compartments in said

container, said dividers forming a unitary structure, each compartment being sized so as to receive a surgical needle therein;

a wall on one side of said container, said wall having an aperture defined therein, said

unitary structure and said wall being movable relative to one another so that said aperture is

selectively aligned with each of said compartments as said structure and said wall are moved

relative to one another; and

a mechanism associated with said container and said wall, said mechanism permitting

incremental relative movement of said structure and said wall relative to one another in only one direction to selectively align said aperture with said compartments.

2. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 1, further comprising a cutting device, associated with said container, said cutting device severing a portion of a suture

that extends beyond said side of said container from a needle disposed in one of said

compartments when said structure and said wall are moved relative to one another.

3. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 2, wherein said cutting device

includes a blade member and an anvil surface, one of said blade member and said anvil surface

being mounted to said container for motion past said aperture so as to press the suture against

the other of said blade member and said anvil surface and to cut the suture by a chopping

action of said blade member and said anvil surface relative to one another.

4. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 3 wherein said one of said

blade member and said anvil surface is manually actuated, said one of said blade member and said anvil surface being spring loaded.

5. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 4, wherein said one of said blade member and said anvil surface is connected to a flexible mounting arm in turn fastened to

said container, said one of said blade member and said anvil surface being spring loaded by

virtue of said flexible arm to return said one of said blade member and said anvil surface to a

needle loading position after severing of the suture.

6. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 5, wherein said dividers

extend radially from a hub and have respective outer edges, said structure being mounted to said container for rotation therein, said blade member being provided with a hook for engaging

said outer edges to incrementally rotate said structure about a rotation axis after severing of the suture.

7. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 1, wherein said dividers are

connected to a hub and extend radially therefrom, said wall being stationary with respect to

said container, said structure being rotatably mounted to said container for rotation therein.

8. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 7, further comprising a

cutting device, associated with said container and said wall, said cutting device severing a

portion of a suture that extends beyond said side of said container from a needle disposed in

one of said compartments when said structure and said wall are moved relative to one another.

9. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 8, wherein said cutting device

is provided with means for engaging said structure to incrementally rotate said structure about

an axis after severing of the suture.

10. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 9, wherein said cutting device includes a blade member and said dividers have respective outer edges, said means for

engaging being a hook provided on said blade member for engaging said outer edges to incrementally rotate said structure about said axis after severing of the suture.

11. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 10, wherein said cutting

device further includes an anvil surface against which the suture is pressed and cut by said

blade member during a chopping action of said blade member against said anvil surface.

12. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 10, wherein said blade member is connected, at an end opposite a cutting edge, to a flexible mounting arm in turn

fastened to said container.

13. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 7, further comprising a

stopping member that prevents said container and said structure from rotating more than 360┬░

relative to one another.

14. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 7, wherein said container is

cylindrical, wherein said compartments are disposed in an annular configuration about an axis of said container, and wherein each of said compartments is separated from an adjacent

compartment by one of said dividers.

15. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 14, wherein said container

includes a base which supports said container so that said axis is horizontal, said structure

being rotatable about said axis.

16. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 15, wherein said aperture is disposed in a horizontal plane.

17. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 1, wherein said mechanism

includes a plurality of first teeth fixed to one of said container and said structure and further

includes at least one second tooth fixed to the other of said container and said structure, said

first teeth being arranged in an opposing relation to said second tooth so that said first teeth

and said second tooth engage each other to allow said incremental relative movement of said

wall and said structure in said one direction and so that said aperture is locked into alignment

with said one of said plurality of compartments.

18. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said container is made from a material that permits visualization of said needles disposed in

each compartment.

19. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 1, further comprising indicia identifying each of said compartments in sequential order to facilitate counting of said needles disposed within each compartment.

20. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 1 wherein said container is

cylindrical, wherein said compartments are disposed in an annular configuration about an axis

of said container, wherein each of said compartments is separated from an adjacent

compartment by one of said dividers, and wherein said container includes a base which

supports said container so that said axis is horizontal, said structure being rotatable about said

axis so that said compartments open at radially outer ends towards said aperture upon an

alignment of said compartments with said aperture.

21. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least

one ancillary compartment disposed in a fixed location on said container for receiving and

storing sharp used surgical instruments.

22. A method for collecting used surgical needles in a device comprising a plurality of

compartments, the method characterized by the steps of:

dropping a needle through an aperture in a container wall into a first compartment

having at least one transparent wall for visual inspection of the needle;

advancing one of said compartment and said container wall relative to the other

through a predetermined distance to close said first compartment while simultaneously opening

a second compartment; and severing a suture that extends through said aperture from the needle that has been

dropped into said first compartment simultaneously with said step of advancing.

23. A method as defined in claim 21, wherein the advancing of one of said compartment and said container wall relative to the other includes rotating one of said

compartment and said container wall relative to the other.

24. A method as defined in claim 21, wherein the severing of said suture includes

shifting a blade member on one side of said suture against said suture and an anvil surface on

an opposite side of said suture.

25. A surgical needle discard container for storing used surgical needles, comprising:

a container having at least one compartment, said container having a wall provided with an aperture through which needles are inserted into said container; a cutting device operatively connected to said container at said aperture for severing a

portion of a suture that extends outside said container from a needle disposed in said container,

said cutting device including a blade member and an anvil surface, one of said blade member

and said anvil surface being mounted to said container for motion past said aperture so as to

press the suture against the other of said blade member and said anvil surface and to cut said

suture by a chopping action of said blade member and said anvil surface relative to one

another.

26. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 25 wherein said one of said blade member and said anvil surface is manually actuated, said one of said blade member and said anvil surface being spring loaded.

27. A surgical needle discard container as defined in claim 26, wherein said one of said

blade member and said anvil surface is connected to a flexible mounting arm in turn fastened to

needle loading position after severing of the suture, said aperture being open when said one of

said blade member and said anvil surface is in said needle loading position.