Apparatus for safely removing needles from hypodermic syringes

摘要

An apparatus for removing needles from a hypodermic syringe is provided. The syringe is of the type having a barrel and a needle socket. The present invention teaches placing a collar apparatus between the base of the needle and the end of the syringe barrel in the region of the needle socket. The present invention also provides means for causing the collar to move generally away from the syringe barrel such that the collar causes the needle to be disengaged from the needle socket. Several embodiments of the present invention are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment one or more curved elongated arms are attached at their distal end to the collar. As their proximal end, they are securely attached to the syringe. Thus, when the arms are pressed inwardly the collar is forced to move forward disengaging the syringe from the syringe socket. Other alternative embodiments are also disclosed including means for removing Luer lock needles from syringes, and a sheath or rigid generally cylindrical tube placed over the syringe barrel. In both cases, the sheath and tube are moved forward in such a manner as to cause the collar to disengage the needle from the syringe barrel.