MEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM ASSEMBLY

• US 20120260416A1
• Filed: 04/30/2012
• Published: 10/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biofluid Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Biofluid Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Radford, Richard, Radford, Drew, Willich, Wayne, Howard, Jack D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,211,158 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/479
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/00 Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto B08B6/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/28 the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray, or jet application, with or without soaking
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/30 with plug valves , i.e. valves that open and close a passageway by turning a cylindrical or conical plug without axial passageways
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/02 Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure B65D41/32 takes precedence; protective covers for bottles B65D23/08; protective cap-like outer covers for bottle or jar closures B65D41/62; pressure-applying means B65D45/00; closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal of closures B65D50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/022 with ratchet effect between relatively rotating parts B65D41/3404, B65D50/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/10 Locking pins destructible locking pins B65D55/06
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/12 Devices or means with relatively-moving parts co-operating with abutments on bottle or jar B65D55/022 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/14 Applications of locks, e.g. of permutation or key-controlled locks
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 35/022 the locking mechanism being actuated by a separate actuating element
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 35/025 said actuating element being operated manually (e.g. a push-button located in the valve actuator)
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 35/027 the locking mechanism being actuated by pushing or pulling the valve actuator, the valve actuator being rotated subsequently to bring the valve closure element in the desired position
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 35/16 with locking member actuated by magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0668 Single packings

Abstract

A novel collection device for collection, storage and disposal of biological products, in conjunction with an improved cleansing method. Disclosed is an apparatus which includes a locking closing member handle to allow for safe transport and disposal of medical waste. Closing member allows for secure containment of medical waste and subsequent apparatus cleaning. Closing member design includes a gap between closing member and housing which facilitates device cleaning after waste disposal.

Claims

1. A biological waste collection device connector comprising:

a. a connector apparatus removably connected at a first end to a waste vessel,

b. said connector apparatus including a closing member therein, and said closing member further comprising a locking mechanism for prevention of undesired spillage.

2. The biological waste collection device of claim 1, wherein said closing member is a substantially spherical closing member with a lumen therethrough.

3. The biological waste collection device of claim 2, wherein a portion of said lumen is radiused to facilitate material discharge and to reduce rotational sticktion.

4. A biological waste collection device of claim 3 additionally comprising a vessel for containment of biological waste.

5. A biological waste collection device of claim 3 wherein the internal conformation of said waste vessel is configured to prevent retaining or pooling of contents during discharge and cleaning in an inverted position with the closing member in an open position.

6. A biological waste collection device of claim 5 further comprising

a. surfaces on the housing and closing member defining a gap therebetween;

and

b. the gap between the surfaces sufficient to allow post disposal cleaning of the housing and closing member surfaces defining the gap.

7. The biological waste collection device of claim 6, wherein said closing member additionally comprises a deflecting surface which is shaped to deflect fluid flow into the gap between said housing and said closing member.

8. A biological waste collection device connector apparatus removably coupled to a waste vessel,

a. said connector apparatus further comprising a closing member, and

b. said closing member connected to a locking mechanism for prevention of undesired opening of the closing member,

c. wherein said connector apparatus is opened and closed by a motor activated by a controller, and

d. wherein said controller controls the release of cleaning agents via a cleaning pipe to clean interior portions of said connector apparatus.

9. A valve system configured to removably and fixedly attach to a medical waste vessel having an interior portion to store medical waste, the valve system comprising:

a. a valve housing having a mounting region operatively configured to removably and fixedly attach to the medical waste vessel,

b. the valve housing further comprising an interior surface having a lower region and an upper region,

c. a ball style valve comprising a closing member comprising an engagement region and a relief region, the ball valve having a mounting region whereas the mounting region provides rotational movement of the closing member with respect to the valve housing,

d. wherein the ball style valve comprises a sealed position, an operating position, and a cleaning position,

e. the closing member comprising an interior passage providing a fluid conduit from the relief region to the engagement region,

f. a seating ring attached to the valve housing and having a perimeter lip operatively configured to be in sealing contact with the engagement region of the ball valve when the ball valve is in the sealed position, so as any contents within the medical waste vessel are sealed therein,

g. an closing member handle configured to apply a rotational torque to the ball valve for repositioning thereof with respect to the valve housing, the closing member handle configured to reposition the ball valve to an operating position, where the engagement region is in sealing engagement to the perimeter lip of the seating ring, so as to provide fluid communication to the interior portion of the medical waste vessel, whereas when in the operating position, medical waste is in fluid communication to the interior surface of the valve housing, when the ball valve is in the cleaning position.

h. whereas when in the cleaning position, the distance between the interior surface of the housing and the relief region of the closing member provides a gap for a cleaning agent to pass therethrough, where a bypass surface is provided to clean an interior cavity defined between the outer surface of the closing member and the interior surface of the valve housing.

10. A valve system as recited in claim 9, where the interior chamber defines an irrigation cleaning chamber that is provided when the ball valve is in an intermediate position to provide access to the irrigation cleaning chamber.

11. A valve system as recited in claim 9, where dynamic movement of the ball valve provides redirection of cleaning fluid to forcefully engage the interior surface of the housing for cleaning thereof.

12. A valve system as recited in claim 9, where a fully assembled system comprises a waste disposal system, where the controller is provided with an actuator

13. A valve system as recited in claim 12, where the sensors work in conjunction with the waste vessel to transfer information from the waste vessel so as to record the wash vessel count.