Methods of sorting waste

• US 7,383,195 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss; John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brooks; Matthew L.
• Application Number:
  US10/945,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20050065640A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• Field of Search: 209583-930, 600/604, 607/2, 206366-370, 705/1, 220/346, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 705/308
• 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 method for sorting a plurality of waste items, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of container compartments, each container compartment configured to receive a removable container;

providing a plurality of removable containers, wherein each of said removable containers comprises an opening;

providing a movable lid coupled with each of said removable containers;

wherein the removable containers are configured to be placed within the container compartments,

wherein each of the removable containers is associated with at least one of a plurality of waste categories,

wherein the movable lid is movable to an open position and a closed position; and

wherein at least a portion of one or more of said lids comprises a section that permits visualization of the internal contents of the container coupled with said lid;

scanning barcode information on a waste item via a scanner;

assigning the waste item to at least one waste category based at least in part on the information obtained from the scanner and waste item classification information; and

identifying one of the removable containers based on the waste category by automatically moving the lid coupled to the identified removable container to the open position to permit disposal of said waste item; and

locking the movable lid in the closed position after receipt of the waste item.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the section that permits visualization comprises translucent or transparent material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the section that permits visualization comprises a viewing strip.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said waste item classification information comprises classification information based on environmental or drug enforcement regulations.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said waste item classification information comprises rules and regulations affecting pharmaceutical waste disposal.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a user input device configured to acquire manually-entered information regarding said waste item.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said input device comprises at least one of a touch screen or keyboard.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said moveable lids is configured to be manually closed.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said moveable lids is configured to be automatically closed upon disposal of the waste item.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sensing disposal of said waste item into at least one of said containers,

automatically closing or locking the lid associated with said container upon receiving information based on said sensor.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a waste presence sensor and a timer to determine a replacement schedule for any one of said containers.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said containers is reusable.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said containers is configured to receive biohazard bags.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said containers is configured to receive sharps.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing one or more shortcut keys configured to provide quick access to frequently-used containers.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising color-coding the containers based on said waste categories.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising printing a manifest for at least one said containers.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the waste item comprises the remains of a drug that was administered to a patient.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising determining a quantity of said drug that was administered.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising tracking dispensing information regarding said drug.