Handheld medical waste sorting method
First Claim
1. A method for sorting a plurality of medical waste items, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of containers, wherein each of said containers is associated with at least one of a plurality of waste categories;
providing a handheld waste item identification device that determines a qualitative parameter of a medical waste item;
providing access to a database comprising waste item classification information;
providing access to a control system that performs the following waste sorting functions;
comparing information obtained from the handheld waste item identification device with information contained in the database, assigning the medical waste item to at least one waste category; and
identifying at least one of the containers as a proper waste container based on the waste category.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for disposing of medical waste is generally configured to sort waste items into a plurality of 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. In some embodiments, a detection system for determining a presence and/or a quantity of waste items within a container is also provided. In some embodiments, access to discarded waste items is restricted once the waste items have been placed in a container.
107 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for sorting a plurality of medical waste items, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of containers, wherein each of said containers is associated with at least one of a plurality of waste categories;
providing a handheld waste item identification device that determines a qualitative parameter of a medical waste item;
providing access to a database comprising waste item classification information;
providing access to a control system that performs the following waste sorting functions;
comparing information obtained from the handheld waste item identification device with information contained in the database, assigning the medical waste item to at least one waste category; and
identifying at least one of the containers as a proper waste container based on the waste category. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of sorting medical waste, the method comprising:
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scanning an identifier associated with a medical waste item, wherein said scan is conducted at least in part by a handheld scanner;
retrieving, based on the identifier, waste classification information from a database, wherein said information is derived from applicable rules regarding disposal of waste items;
assigning the waste to a disposal category based on the information retrieved from the database; and
identifying a container associated with the assigned disposal category. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification