TOUCHLESS AUTO-DROP SHARPS CONTAINER

• US 20110073598A1
• Filed: 09/06/2007
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kpr U.S., LLC (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ottaviano, Derek, Miller, Charyn, Liscio, Michael, Moats, Donna, Finnestad, Mark Brian, Trupiano, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 8,813,986 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/211
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0057 about a transverse axis in the lid plane
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/362 for sharps
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/10 with refuse filling means, e.g. air-locks
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1638 Electromechanically operated lids

Abstract

A closure for a waste receptacle is provided. The closure comprises a moveable component mounted to the closure for movement between a closed position, wherein the moveable component prohibits waste from entering the waste receptacle and an open position wherein the moveable component facilitates the entry of waste into the waste receptacle. A motor is coupled to the moveable component and configured to move the moveable component between the open position and the closed position. A sensor is adapted to transmit a signal when waste is proximal or contacting the closure, wherein the sensor communicates with the motor to move the moveable component between the open position and the closed position to deposit the waste into the waste receptacle.

Claims

1. A closure for a waste receptacle comprising:

a moveable component mounted to said closure for movement between a closed position wherein said moveable component prohibits waste from entering the waste receptacle, and an open position wherein said moveable component facilitates the entry of waste into the waste receptacle;

a motor coupled to said moveable component and configured to move said moveable component between said open position and said closed position; and

a sensor adapted to transmit a signal when waste is proximal or contacting said closure, wherein the sensor communicates with the motor to move said moveable component between said open position and said closed position to deposit the waste into the waste receptacle.

2. The closure of claim 1 wherein said closure defines an aperture through which the medical waste is inserted.

3. The closure of claim 2 wherein said moveable component is a door, and said door is configured to expose'"'"'said aperture to facilitate the entry of waste into the waste receptacle in the open position of said door, and conceal said aperture to prohibit waste from entering the waste receptacle in the closed position of said door.

4. The closure of claim 3, wherein said door is pivotably coupled to said closure to pivot between said open position and said closed position.

5. The closure of claim 1 wherein said moveable component is a tumbler that is rotatably coupled to said closure, wherein said tumbler is configured to rotate to the open position to facilitate the entry of waste into the waste receptacle.

6. The closure of claim 1 wherein said sensor is a motion sensor adapted to sense waste proximal to said closure.

7. The closure of claim 1 wherein said sensor is a weight sensor adapted to sense waste contacting said closure.

8. A waste receptacle comprising:

a receptacle for storing waste;

a foam source associated with said receptacle; and

a sensor adapted to transmit a signal when waste reaches a predetermined level within said receptacle, wherein in response to the signal transmitted by said sensor, a quantity of foam from said foam source is distributed into said receptacle.

9. The waste receptacle of claim 8 wherein said foam source is antimicrobial.

10. The waste receptacle of claim 8 wherein said foam source is adapted to at least partially encapsulate the waste within said receptacle.

11. The waste receptacle of claim 8 further comprising a moveable component mounted to said receptacle for movement between a closed position wherein said moveable component prohibits waste from entering said receptacle and an open position wherein said moveable component facilitates the entry of waste into the receptacle.

12. The waste receptacle of claim 11, wherein said moveable component is configured to remain in said closed position when said sensor transmits the signal.

13. A medical waste receptacle comprising:

a receptacle for storing medical waste,

a stapling means coupled to the medical waste receptacle for stapling a guide wire; and

a slot disposed on the receptacle for receiving stapled guide wires.

14. The medical waste receptacle of claim 13 wherein said stapling means is a stapler.

15. A method of operating an automated medical waste receptacle comprising the steps of:

sensing medical waste contacting or proximal to a moveable component of the receptacle; and

signaling the moveable component of the receptacle to move from a closed position to an open position to permit the passage of the medical waste into the receptacle.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of sensing a level of waste within the receptacle.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of transmitting a signal when the level of waste within the receptacle has reached a predetermined level.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of signaling the moveable component to remain in the closed position after receiving the signal that waste reached a predetermined level within the receptacle.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of distributing foam within the receptacle to encapsulate the waste within the receptacle.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of signaling the moveable component of the receptacle to move from a closed position to an open position a predetermined time after the step of sensing medical waste contacting or proximal to the moveable component of the receptacle.