| 摘要 |
A hypodermic needle destruction system embodying the concepts of the present invention utilizes a primary sub-housing (14) with a cartridge (16) demountably secured to the primary sub-housing. First and second electrodes (140, 142) are disposed within the cartridge. A guide means (156) is incorporated in one of the electrodes for accepting a metallic medical instrument for destruction. The guide means directs the metallic medical instrument such that insertion thereof in the guide means effects an electrical connection between the first and second electrodes. At least one of the electrodes (142) is linearly reciprocated with respect to the other, and a sufficient level of electrical energy is applied across the first and second electrodes to cause the electrical destruction of the medical instrument positioned in electrical contact across the first and second electrodes. The present arrangement utilizes two, inter-related electrical power systems (50A, 50B) which provide two discrete energy levels, whether AC or DC. In either event, both the low and the high electrical energy systems are activated by needle insertion. The high energy system is operable to supply the power necessary to destroy the needle, to operate a fan and to cause at least one of the electrodes to move between fixed limits. A predetermined, subsequent period of time after the medical instrument is fully destroyed, the circuitry will turn off both the high and the low energy electrical systems.
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