Waste container identification system

• US 20050119933A1
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Vesta Medical LLC (Becton Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Mallett, Scott R., Davidner, Alan A., Danta, Randall C., Corey, Alan D., Regla, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,123,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0059 parallel to the lid plane
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/006 perpendicular to the lid plane, e.g. by a downward movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/185 Drawers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0805 automatically, e.g. by means of magnetic, optical or photoelectric detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/10 Furniture specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/13 Trolleys, e.g. carts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/15 Mayo stands; Tables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/18 Cupboards; Drawers therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/37 Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/3412 according to a code applied to the object which indicates a property of the object, e.g. quality class, contents or incorrect indication sorting according to size measured by light-responsive means B07C5/10; sorting according to optical properties B07C5/342; for packages B65D79/02; for information carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 7/005 Computer assisted manual sorting, e.g. for mail
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/28 Frames, Housings
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3735 using a digital network
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/30 Administration of product recycling or disposal
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 : for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/00 : Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/93 : Municipal solid waste sorting

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.

Claims

1. A waste system comprising:

a station comprising a waste identification device and a plurality of container compartments;

a plurality of containers positioned in the container compartments, each container comprising an machine-readable identification key; and

wherein the station is configured to read each identification key upon placement of a container in a container compartment.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to facilitate sorting of a plurality of waste items into respective containers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification keys identify a waste category defining a class of waste to be placed in the containers.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the waste category of each container is independent of the container compartment in which each container is positioned.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each container compartment is configured to accept only containers with a first identification key.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each container compartment is configured to accept containers having any of a pre-determined group of identification keys.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification keys comprise optically-readable markings.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the identification keys comprise a pattern of holes in a portion of the container.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each container comprises an automatically operable door.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein each container compartment is configured to operate a door of a container.

11. A waste system comprising:

a means for sorting waste comprising a means for identifying waste and means for supporting a container;

a plurality of means for containing waste, each means for containing comprising a means for machine identification of the means for containing; and

wherein the means for sorting further comprises a means for reading each means for machine identification upon placement of a means for containing in a means for supporting.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for sorting further comprises a means for providing access to a means for containing medical waste items.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for supporting further comprises a means for moving a means for containing.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for sorting further comprises a means for classifying waste items

15. A waste sorting and disposal system comprising:

a sorting and disposal station comprising a waste identification device and a plurality of container compartments;

a plurality of containers positioned in the container compartments, each container comprising an machine-readable identification key which identifies a waste category defining characteristics of the waste to be placed in each container;

wherein the station is configured to read each identification key upon placement of a container in a container compartment; and

wherein the waste category of each container is independent of the container compartment in which each container is positioned.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a controller configured to facilitate sorting of a plurality of waste items into respective containers.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to adapt a sorting routine to a changing arrangement of containers and container compartments.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the containers comprise translucent walls.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the identification key is a pattern of varying contrast readable by an optical sensor.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the identification key is readable by a magnetic sensor.