Development of a Safe Syringe Disposal System Moving towards Automated Syringe Data Collection

Abstract

ObjectivesAn automatic needle destroyer (ANDY) was developed to prevent needlestick injuries, and usability tests were conducted in several hospitals. The addition of extra features to the ANDY is in progress, such as data collection and automatic identification of used syringes. Thus, this report describes how the ANDY can be used to track the data of used syringes.MethodsThe motor torque required for barrel separation differs according to syringe diameters. By monitoring the electric current which is consumed for the motor torque, the type of syringe can be identified. Twelve prototypes were produced, and five usability tests were conducted in hospitals.ResultsAfter use, a syringe is inserted into the proposed device, and the needle portion is then cut and separated from the syringe body (barrel) and discarded. The needles are collected in a sharps container for hygienic disposal, and the barrel is dropped into a general medical waste container.ConclusionsThe ANDY can be used to track the syringe used for each patient. The barcode can be read while the syringe rotates in the main body of the ANDY with a built-in omnidirectional scanner. Collection of information during syringe disposal can facilitate stock management. This system could also be extended to other types of consumable medical devices, although it would still be a challenge to differentiate each medical device.

Smart syringe using actuator and force sensor for epidural anesthesia injection

“…This system is easy to use during anesthesia practice time and can be used in the clinical field of anesthesia process. 14,15 The developed system can detect the position of the needle by observing the measured waveform instead of the sensation obtained from the actual hand when the needle penetrates the tissue.…”