Dental sharps containment device and method of using the same 'needle protection device' (NPD)

摘要

A dental sharps containment device comprises a housing unit having an insertion panel with an insertion hole therein, a removable protective sleeve, a gripping means for gripping a needle cap, and a disposable sharps container. The removable, protective sleeve is inserted into the insertion hole. When the needle apparatus is inserted into the protective sleeve, the protective sleeve guides the needle cap to a predetermined location inside the housing unit above the gripping means. The gripping means is operated to engage and firmly grip the needle cap so that when the syringe is pulled from the device, the needle pulls out of the needle cap. After use, the syringe is again inserted into the protective sleeve, which guides the needle back into the needle cap. When the needle has been used multiple times and is ready to be removed from the syringe for safe disposal, the syringe is twisted to unscrew it from the needle. The needle hub, which is frictionally attached or rotationally locked to the needle cap, is held by the gripped needle cap, and therefore does not rotate when the syringe is twisted. After the syringe detaches from the needle, the gripping means releases the needle cap containing the used needle allowing it to drop into a removable, disposable sharps container. Following use, the protective sleeve may be removed for disinfection.