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Safety Features Promoted
In New Laboratory Products
ADVANCES IN MEDICAL technology often benefit not only the testing process and patients, but the safety of laboratorians as well. In the past year a number of new safety products for the lab have be-come available.
The BioConverter, introduced by BioConversion Technologies (BCT), is a biological system which significantly reduces waste volume and results in an end product that meets state regulations for treatment of regulated medical waste and disposal in sanitary landfills and domestic sewer systems.
BCT, a wholly owned subsidiary of Biomedical Disposal Inc., offers the first bio-remediation process of its kind. "The BioConverter is the only sys- tem of this nature licensed and running," said Michael W. Smith, president and CEO of Biomedical Disposal Inc., Nor-cross, GA, which wholly ac-quired BCT as of January. The fully-automated system eliminates packaging for transport and long-term storage.
Biomedical Disposal also is awaiting FDA approval on the SharpX™, a hand-held, battery powered medical device which de-needles hypodermic syringes.
Another concept entering the market is BioQuip Mfg. Inc.'s Zapper®. A completely self-contained and sealed unit, it incinerates hypodermic needles (from 14 to 30 gauge) at 3000 degrees Fahrenheit, transforming them into a harmless residue. An efficient filtration system collects all smoke, ash and residue remaining within a disposable cartridge. The BioQuip Zapper also is marketed as cost-efficient--at least 20 percent below current methods of disposal.
"The Zapper was designed to not only eliminate the needle after use, but also to remove it entirely from the waste stream," said Richard Truesdale, president and CEO of BioQuip, Akron, OH. Its development resulted from Truesdale's determination to help solve the problem of casual disposal of medical waste, he told ADVANCE. He feels the Zapper could be a major step forward in reducing accidental needlesticks and solving the problem of careless discarding and dumping of used needles.
The VanishPoint blood collection tube holder from Retractable Technologies Inc., Little Elm, TX, also addresses the issue of accidental needlesticks. It operates much like a conventional collection device and uses standard needles and vacuum tubes. When the blood collection is complete, however, the technician closes the back or open end of the tube holder with its attached cap, which only requires one hand. Capping the holder triggers the needle's automatic and complete retraction into the tube holder, eliminating needle exposure and the risk of accidental needle sticks.
"This is a new generation of safe needles--there's nothing else like it," said Greg Graze, company spokesperson. It is safely disposable and non-reusable, so the health care worker is not exposed to any risk. It requires little retraining and the cost is "very competitively priced," he added.
The blood collection tube holder is now on the market, along with the 3cc, 5cc and 10cc VanishPoint syringes. A 1cc VanishPoint syringe has re-ceived FDA approval and will be introduced later this year.
The risk of patient-to-patient contamination when using phlebotomy chairs has been addressed with a new product called Chairmate. Made by MedTech Supply Inc., Albertson, NY, it is based on the same concept as covering a physician's exam table. Disposable paper rolls are placed over the arm rest and the paper is simply pulled off and discarded between patients.
"The paper barrier seems to make people feel more comfortable," said Bijan Yashaya, MT(ASCP), president of MedTech Supply. The product is easy to install and very inexpensive, he added. It is compatible with all phlebotomy chairs. A patent is pending.
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