System and method for sorting medical waste for disposal
First Claim
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1. A system for sorting a plurality of medical waste items of various kinds, the system comprising:
- a plurality of containers, each of said containers associated with at least one of a plurality of waste categories;
a waste item identification device configured to read a barcode on an item of medical waste;
a database comprising medical waste item classification information derived from rules and regulations affecting the disposal of medical items;
a control system configured to compare information obtained from the barcode to information contained in the database and wherein the control system is further configured to assign the item to at least one medical waste category; and
a sorting mechanism configured to place the item into one of the containers based on the medical waste category.
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Abstract
A system for disposing of medical waste is generally configured to sort waste items into a plurality of disposable containers according to applicable rules and regulations governing the handling and/or disposal of such items. In some embodiments, a system comprises sorting stations, each of which houses a number of disposable containers. Each station can identify an item of waste, determine the most appropriate container for the item, and facilitate disposal of the item in the appropriate container.
156 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for sorting a plurality of medical waste items of various kinds, the system comprising:
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a plurality of containers, each of said containers associated with at least one of a plurality of waste categories;
a waste item identification device configured to read a barcode on an item of medical waste;
a database comprising medical waste item classification information derived from rules and regulations affecting the disposal of medical items;
a control system configured to compare information obtained from the barcode to information contained in the database and wherein the control system is further configured to assign the item to at least one medical waste category; and
a sorting mechanism configured to place the item into one of the containers based on the medical waste category. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for sorting waste, the system comprising:
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a plurality of containers associated with a plurality of waste categories;
a waste item identification device configured to determine a qualitative parameter of an item of medical waste;
a database comprising medical waste item classification information;
a control system programmed to;
compare said qualitative parameter of said item to information contained in the database;
assign the item to a medical waste category; and
a sorting mechanism configured to place the item into one of the containers based on the medical waste category. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for sorting waste, the system comprising:
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a waste item identification device configured to measure a qualitative parameter of an item of medical waste;
a database comprising medical waste item classification information derived from rules and regulations affecting the disposal of medical waste items;
a control system programmed to, in sequence;
compare said qualitative parameter of said item to information contained in the database; and
assign the item to a unique medical waste category; and
a sorting mechanism configured to place the item into a container associated with the waste category. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for sorting waste, the system comprising:
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a waste item identification means for identifying a qualitative parameter of an item of medical waste;
a database means for classifying medical waste items into categories according to rules and regulations affecting the disposal of medical waste items;
control means for;
comparing said qualitative parameter of said item to information contained in the database; and
assigning the item to a unique medical waste category; and
a sorting means for placing the item into a container associated with the waste category. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification