Medical waste disposal system assembly

• US 8,167,858 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2005
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biofluid Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Biofluid Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Radford, Richard, Radford, Drew, Howard, Jack, Willich, Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): DEAK, LESLIE R
• Application Number:
  US11/190,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20070027432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,471 Days
• Field of Search: 604/317, 604/319, 604/321, 604/322, 604/326, 604/540, 251/25, 251/213, 251/129.11, 251/129.14, 251/129.15, 251/315.01, 215/307, 215/311, 215/312, 215/DIG.3, 588/249, 588/260
• US Class Current: 604/321
• 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 self cleansing biological fluid waste collection system for connecting a waste vessel to a waste removal station for removal of biological fluid from the waste vessel and cleaning of the waste vessel, the system comprising:

a) a waste vessel with locking cap,

b) wherein said waste vessel with locking cap connects to a disposal apparatus, wherein the locking cap prevents opening of the waste vessel when not connected to the disposal apparatus,

c) wherein the locking cap is configure to require an unlocking manipulation separate from an opening manipulation of the locking cap, wherein the opening manipulation opens the waste vessel;

d) wherein the disposal apparatus interoperates with the locking mechanism to unlock the locking mechanism once the waste vessel is properly seated to the disposal apparatus;

e) wherein said waste vessel is configured to be opened and closed by a motor activated by a controller, and may also be opened and closed manually,

f) wherein said controller controls the release of cleaning agents through a cleaning pipe to clean said waste vessel,

g) whereby input from a waste vessel ID wherein information comprising information concerning cleaning cycles, is structurally encoded in the waste vessel ID and information is transferred from the waste vessel to a sensor to be processed by the controller whereby transmission of information from the waste vessel ID is independent of the operator, and the information structurally encoded in the waste vessel ID is recorded so the cleaning cycles of the waste vessel are tracked for purposes of disposal and replacement of the waste vessel after a prescribed number of cleaning cycles where the number of cleaning cycles are greater than one.

2. The biological waste collection system of claim 1, wherein said controller is connected to a user interface device.

3. The biological waste collection system for connecting a waste vessel to a waste removal station of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to control the cleaning of said vessel with cleaning routines based on input from waste vessel ID characteristics.

4. The biological waste collection system for connecting a waste vessel to a waste removal station of claim 3, wherein the position and orientation of the waste vessel is determined by measurements taken of at least one sensor.

5. The biological waste collection system for connecting a waste vessel to a waste removal station of claim 4, wherein said waste vessel additionally comprises one or more identifying components in the waste vessel ID for identifying vessel characteristics to said controller.

6. The biological waste collection system for connecting a waste vessel to a waste removal station of claim 5, wherein said identifying components store vessel use frequency and contents information.

7. The biological waste collection system for connecting a waste vessel to a waste removal station of claim 6, wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of magnetic, Radio Frequency ID or mechanical.

8. The biological waste collection system for connecting a waste vessel to a waste removal station of claim 7, wherein said controller additionally comprises one or more central processing units and memory units.

9. The biological waste collection system for connecting a waste vessel to a waste removal station of claim 8, additionally comprising a stopper element.

10. The biological waste collection system of claim 9, wherein said controller monitors vessel presence, absence and contents by type.

11. The biological waste collection system of claim 10, wherein said controller monitors vessel use frequency and is configurable to prevent use of said vessel when a predetermined value is reached.

12. The biological waste collection system of claim 11, wherein said vessel additionally comprises an identifying component with memory element.