MEDICAL/SURGICAL WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL SYSTEM INCLUDING A ROVER AND A DOCKER, THE DOCKER HAVING FEATURES FACILITATING THE ALIGNMENT OF THE DOCKER WITH THE ROVER

• US 20100049152A1
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shao Pacific Management, LLC., Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Inventors: Murray, Sean, Wasserman, Mark A., Gambewage, Chamara, Reasoner, Stephen J., Durnell, Troy E., Hepp, Joseph P. III, Isham, Stephen P., Westphal, Grant T., Rocque, Glen D., MacLachlan, Brian, Scanlon, Brandon A., Lalomia, Brent S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,740,866 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/319
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/006 for smoke evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/60 Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/63 with means for emptying the suction container, e.g. by interrupting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/631 Emptying the suction container without interrupting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/71 Suction drainage systems containers therefor A61M1/60, A61M1/64; negative pressure wound therapy systems A61M1/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/732 Visual indicating means for vacuum pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/742 by changing the size of a vent A61M1/7411 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/743 by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves A61M1/7413 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/78 Means for preventing overflow or contamination of the pumping systems combined with drainage containers A61M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/782 using valves with freely moving parts, e.g. float valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/784 by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/79 Filters for solid matter specially adapted for dental use A61C17/065
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/125 with incorporated filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3355 Controlling downstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/35 Communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 : with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/584 : having a color code
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 : Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/707 : Testing of filters for clogging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7545 : for solid matter, e.g. microaggregates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7563 : with means preventing clogging of filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/082 : Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/084 : Supporting bases, stands for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/086 : Docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 : Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1415 : Stands, brackets or the like for supporting infusion accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0036 : by adsorption or absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/442 : by measuring the concentration of particles
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/108 : using dry filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/158 : using active carbon
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3109 : Liquid filling by evacuating container

Abstract

A waste collection and disposal system for use in health care facilities is provided. The system includes a mobile waste collection unit for moving between use areas in the health care facility to collect waste material generated during medical procedures including body fluids, body tissues, saline, etc. The waste collection unit includes stacked upper and lower waste containers for receiving the waste material. During use, the upper waste container can be emptied into the lower waste container for temporary storage. In addition, different vacuum levels can be provided in the waste containers during complex procedures. Once a user desires to empty the waste collection unit, the waste collection unit is wheeled to a docking station. At the docking station, the waste material is off-loaded to a waste drain and the waste collection unit is cleaned and rinsed for further use.

Claims

1. A medical/surgical waste collection system, said system including:

a rover, said rover including

a mobile base,

a container mounted to said base,

a receiver mounted to said base in fluid communication with said container, said receiver having a component shaped to receive a suction line through which material can be drawn into said container,

a vacuum regulator connected between a suction source and said container for regulating the vacuum level the suction source draws on said container and the suction line, and

a fluid coupling in fluid communication with said container for receiving waste from said container, said fluid coupling having a discharge outlet, said fluid coupling being mounted to said base; and

a docker, said docker including

a fixed frame,

a plate movably mounted to said frame so as to at least move angularly relative to said frame, said plate positioned so that a section of said rover base to which said rover fluid coupling is mounted can be pressed against said plate, wherein, the pressing of said rover base against said plate results in the repositioning of said plate, and

a fluid coupling connected to a discharge line, said docker fluid coupling configured to engage said rover fluid coupling and being attached to said plate so as to move with said plate so that the repositioning of said plate as a consequence of the pressing of said rover base against said plate at least partially aligns said docker fluid coupling with said rover fluid coupling.

2. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 1, wherein

said docker plate is further mounted to said docker frame so as to be able to move longitudinally or laterally relative to said frame;

and

said rover base and said docker plate have complementary alignment members that are removably engagable, wherein the engagement of said docker alignment member with said rover base alignment member results in the displacement of said docker plate and the further alignment of said docker fluid coupling with said rover fluid coupling.

3. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 1, wherein:

said docker plate is further mounted to said docker frame so as to be able to move longitudinally or laterally relative to said frame;

said rover base and said docker plate have complementary alignment members that are removably engagable, wherein the engagement of said docker alignment member with said rover base alignment member results in the displacement of said docket plate and the further alignment of said docker fluid coupling with said rover fluid coupling; and

said docker alignment member and said docker fluid coupling are separate components and are moveably mounted to said docker plate to engage so as engage, respectively, said rover alignment member and said rover fluid coupling and are collectively shaped so that as a consequence of simultaneous movement of said alignment member and said fluid coupling, said docker alignment member engages said rover alignment member prior to said docker fluid coupling engaging said rover fluid coupling.

4. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 1, wherein:

said docker plate includes an outer surface that is the surface of said plate against which said rover base presses and an inner surface opposite said outer surface;

said rover includes at least one rail that is positioned so that when said rover base presses against the docker plate outer surface, said at least one rail is positioned adjacent the docker plate inner surface; and

said docker fluid coupling is moveably mounted to said docker plate so as engage said rover fluid coupling by moving outwardly away from the plate outer surface.

5. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 4 wherein said at least one rover rail is fixedly mounted to said rover base.

6. The medical/surgical waste collection of claim 1, further including:

a plurality of wheels mounted to said rover base so as to suspend said base above ground level; and

wherein

said rover fluid coupling is mounted to said base so as to open to space below said base; and

said docker plate and said docker fluid coupling are positioned so that said rover base can be disposed over said docker plate and said docker fluid coupling.

7. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 1, wherein at least one spring holds said docker plate to said docker fixed frame.

18. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 1, wherein:

said docker plate is further mounted to said docker frame so as to be able to move longitudinally or laterally relative to said frame;

said rover base and said docker plate have complementary alignment members that are removably engagable, wherein the engagement of said docker alignment member with said rover base alignment member results in the displacement of said docker plate and the further alignment of said docker fluid coupling with said rover fluid coupling; and

said docker alignment member and said docker fluid coupling are separate components and are both connected to said actuator for simultaneous movement and are collectively configured so that, during movement, said docker alignment member engages said rover alignment member prior to said docker fluid coupling engaging said rover fluid coupling.

8. A medical/surgical waste collection system, said system including:

a rover, said rover including

a base mounted on wheels, said wheels holding said base above ground level,

a receiver on said base for receiving a suction line through which medical/surgical waste is drawn,

a container mounted to said base, said container being in fluid communication with said receiver for receiving the waste drawn through the suction line,

a vacuum regulator on said base, said vacuum regulator connected between a suction source and said container for regulating the vacuum level in said container and in the suction line, and

a first fluid coupling mounted to said base that is in fluid communication with said container, said first fluid coupling being mounted to said base so as to open into space located below said base; and

a docker, said docker including

a frame,

a plate mounted to said frame so as to be able to move angularly relative to said frame, said plate having opposed outer and inner surfaces and being located so that said rover base can be positioned over said plate and, when so positioned, will abut the plate outer surface so as to cause displacement of said plate, and

a first fluid coupling that is connected to a discharge line, said first fluid coupling being attached to said plate so as to move with said plate and being positioned so that the movement of said docker first fluid coupling with the displacement of said plate at least partially aligns said docker first fluid coupling with said rover first fluid coupling.

9. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 8, wherein:

said docker plate is further mounted to said docker frame so as to be able to move laterally relative to said frame;

said rover base and said docker plate have complementary alignment members that are removably engagable, wherein the engagement of said docker alignment member with said rover base alignment member results in the displacement of said docker plate and the further alignment of said docker first fluid coupling with said rover first fluid coupling; and

said docker alignment member and said docker first fluid coupling are moveably mounted to said docker plate and are connected together to move simultaneous to engage, respectively, said rover alignment member and said rover first fluid coupling and are collectively shaped so that, during movement relative to said docker plate, said docker alignment member engages said rover alignment member prior to said docker first fluid coupling engaging said rover first fluid coupling.

10. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 8, wherein:

said rover base is formed with a bore that is open from a surface of said base directed towards said docker plate;

said docker plate is further mounted to said docker frame so as to be able to move laterally relative to said frame;

said docker includes an alignment pin that is mounted to said docker plate to move with said docker first fluid coupling, said alignment pin positioned to seat in the rover base bore; and

said docker alignment pin and said docker first fluid coupling are moveably mounted to said docker plate to move relative to said docker plate so that as a consequence of the simultaneous movement of said docker alignment pin and said docker first fluid coupling, said alignment pin seats in the rover plate bore, the seating resulting in the further alignment of said docker first fluid coupling with said rover fluid coupling, followed by the engagement of said docker first fluid coupling with said rover first fluid coupling.

11. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 8, wherein:

said rover further includes at least one rail that is mounted to said base and is positioned so that, when said base is disposed over the docker plate outer surface, said rail is positioned adjacent the docker plate inner surface; and

said docker first fluid coupling is moveably mounted to said docker plate to selectively move outwardly away from said plate, the outward movement of said docker first fluid coupling causing said coupling to engage said rover first fluid coupling.

12. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 11 further including a drive unit attached to said docker plate and said docker first fluid coupling that is selectively actuated to move said docker first fluid coupling away the plate outer surface and into engagement with said rover first fluid coupling.

13. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 8, further including:

a sprinkler disposed in said rover container; and

a second fluid coupling is mounted to said rover base, said second fluid coupling being connected to said sprinkler; and

wherein

said docker includes a second fluid coupling that is connected to a fluid inlet line, said second fluid coupling being connected to said docker plate to move with said plate and positioned so that the movement of said second fluid coupling with the displacement of said docker plate at least partially aligns said docker second fluid coupling with said rover second fluid coupling.

14. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 8, wherein at least one spring moveably holds said docker plate to said docker frame.

15. A medical/surgical waste collection system, said system including:

a rover, said rover including

a mobile base, said base including a rail,

a container mounted to said base,

a receiver on said base, said receiver configured to receive a suction line and being in fluid communication with said container,

a vacuum regulator on said base, said vacuum regulator connected between a suction source and said container for regulating the level of vacuum drawn on said container and the suction line, and

a fluid coupling mounted to said base and connected to said container to receive waste discharged from said container, said fluid coupling having a valve member that is biased to normally block fluid flow through said coupling; and

a docker, said docker including

a frame,

a plate connected to said frame to at least move angularly relative to said frame, said plate being positioned so as to be located where a portion of said rover base to which said fluid coupling is mounted can press against said plate so as to reposition said plate, said plate having an outer surface against which said rover presses and an inner surface opposite the outer surface and further shaped so that, when said rover base abuts the outer surface said rover rail is positioned adjacent the plate inner surface,

a fluid coupling mounted to said plate so as to move with said docker plate and being positioned so that, the displacement of said docker plate by said rover base at least partially aligns said docker fluid coupling with said rover fluid coupling, said docker fluid coupling being moveable relative to said docker plate so as to engage said fluid coupling, including said coupling valve, and

a drive assembly connected to said docker fluid coupling for selectively moving said docker fluid coupling in and out of engagement with said rover fluid coupling, said drive assembly able to, when moving said docker fluid coupling into engagement with said rover fluid coupling, output sufficient force that the engagement of said docker fluid coupling with said rover fluid coupling valve opens said valve.

16. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 15, wherein said at least one rover rail is fixedly mounted to said rover base.

17. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 15, wherein:

said docker plate is further mounted to said docker frame so as to be able to move longitudinally or laterally relative to said frame; and

said rover base and said docker plate have complementary alignment members that are removably engagable, wherein the engagement of said docker alignment member with said rover base alignment member results in the displacement of said docker plate and the further alignment of said docker fluid coupling with said rover fluid coupling.

19. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 15, wherein:

said docker plate has opposed sides; and

said rover has two spaced apart rails, said rails being positioned so that, when said rover base is positioned to abut the docker plate top surface, said rails extend around the opposed sides of said docker plate and against opposed portions of the plate inner surface.

20. The medical/surgical waste collection system of claim 15, wherein:

as a consequence of said docker fluid coupling engaging said rover fluid coupling, said rover is held to said docker; and

said rover and said docker have a coupling mechanism separate from the seating of said rover rail against the docker plate inner surface and the and the engagement of said docker coupling with said rover coupling that holds said rover to said docker.