DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ENCAPSULATING A NEEDLE WITH A CORRESPONDING PLASTIC NEEDLE CAP

摘要

The present invention relates to an improvement to the treatment of needles for safe disposal. The device (300) comprises a support member (303) having at least one recess (304). Each said at least one recess is configured to receive a needle contained in a corresponding plastic needle cap. The device further comprises a heating element configured to heat the support member, such that the plastic material of the needle cap softens and flows to encapsulate the corresponding needle. Each said at least one recess has dimensions such that, after heating, the needle is fully encapsulated by the plastic material of the corresponding needle cap. A corresponding method is disclosed.