Waste sorting network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for sorting medical waste items, the system comprising:
- a plurality of sorting stations in electronic communication with one another via a central processing unit in a centralized network, the sorting stations and the central processing unit being physically separated from one another;
a classification database residing in the central processing unit, the database listing a plurality of waste item identifiers distributed into a plurality of waste categories;
each sorting station comprising;
a plurality of containers, each container being sized and configured to receive a plurality of medical waste items;
a waste item identification device configured to receive a waste item identifier from a waste item;
a decision system configured to classify the waste item into a waste category using the waste identifier and information contained in the classification database;
wherein each of the containers is associated with one of the waste categories, and wherein the decision system is further configured to indicate into which of the containers a waste item should be deposited.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
77 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A system for sorting medical waste items, the system comprising:
-
a plurality of sorting stations in electronic communication with one another via a central processing unit in a centralized network, the sorting stations and the central processing unit being physically separated from one another;
a classification database residing in the central processing unit, the database listing a plurality of waste item identifiers distributed into a plurality of waste categories;
each sorting station comprising;
a plurality of containers, each container being sized and configured to receive a plurality of medical waste items;
a waste item identification device configured to receive a waste item identifier from a waste item;
a decision system configured to classify the waste item into a waste category using the waste identifier and information contained in the classification database;
wherein each of the containers is associated with one of the waste categories, and wherein the decision system is further configured to indicate into which of the containers a waste item should be deposited. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A system for sorting medical waste items, the system comprising:
-
a plurality of sorting stations in electronic communication with one another in a de-centralized network, the sorting stations being physically separated from one another;
a classification database residing on a data storage device in at least one of the stations, the database listing a plurality of waste item identifiers distributed into a plurality of waste categories;
each sorting station comprising;
a plurality of containers, each container being sized and configured to receive a plurality of medical waste items, and each container being of a specific type defining a group of items to be placed therein;
a waste item identification device configured to receive a waste item identifier from a waste item;
a decision system configured to classify a waste item into a waste category using the waste identifier and information contained in the classification database and to indicate into which of the containers a waste item should be deposited. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of sorting medical waste items, the method comprising:
-
joining a plurality of physically separated sorting stations in electronic communication with one another in a network;
joining each sorting station in electronic communication with a classification database, the database listing a plurality of waste item identifiers distributed into a plurality of waste categories;
placing a plurality of containers in each station, each container being sized and configured to receive a plurality of medical waste items;
providing each station with a waste item identification device configured to receive a waste item identifier from a waste item;
configuring a decision system to classify waste items into waste categories using the waste identifier and information contained in the classification database. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification