System and method for collecting sharp object container content information

Abstract

A medical device processing container includes a container body defining an opening and at least one sensor proximate the opening, the at least one sensor in communication with a computing device. The at least one sensor may be configured to collect data stored in an identifier of a used medical device. The at least one sensor may be removably coupled with the container body. The at least one sensor is embedded in the container body.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to a U.S. application filed on November 22, 2022, with application number 17 / 992,404 and titled "System and Method for Capturing Sharps Container Content Information", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] Background of the Invention

[0004] Field of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure generally relates to the disposal of used medical devices.

[0006] Description of the Related Art

[0007] Used medical devices, particularly those including needles, are typically disposed of in a sharps container. Many of those used medical devices contain medications and patient information. However, when the used medical devices are disposed of in a sharps container, this information is lost and ultimately destroyed. By collecting and analyzing the data stored on those used medical devices 220, many advantages can be achieved, including analysis related to the types of medical devices and medications being disposed of in different geographical regions, the transfer of medical devices and medications, research and development, and the like.

[0008] Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue to conduct research and development efforts in the field of the disposal and analysis of used medical devices. Summary of the Invention

[0009] A medical device disposal container is disclosed.

[0010] In one example, the medical device disposal container includes a container body defining an opening and at least one sensor proximate to the opening, the at least one sensor being in communication with a computing device.

[0011] The at least one sensor of the medical device disposal container can be configured to collect data stored in an identifier of a used medical device. The at least one sensor can be detachably coupled to the container. The at least one sensor can be embedded in the container body. The at least one sensor can be an optical sensor. The at least one sensor can be an RFID reader.

[0012] The medical device disposal container can include a lid coupled to the opening. The at least one sensor can be located on the lid.

[0013] Also disclosed is a system for aggregating data of disposable medical devices.

[0014] In one example, the system includes a computing device and a medical disposal container in communication with the computing device. The medical device disposal container includes a container body defining an opening and at least one sensor near the opening.

[0015] The at least one sensor of the system can communicate wirelessly with the computing device. The computing device can include a memory, a processor, a bus, and a storage component.

[0016] The system can also include at least one used medical device 160 having at least one identifier. The at least one used medical device can be a syringe.

[0017] Also disclosed is a method for aggregating data of disposable medical devices.

[0018] In one example, the method includes sensing data using a sensor and transmitting the data to a computing device.

[0019] The sensing can be performed optically and / or wirelessly. The transmission can be performed wirelessly. The method can also include: receiving a used medical device; and analyzing the data after the sensing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other features, advantages, and ways of achieving these features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent and the present disclosure itself will be better understood by referring to the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a medical device disposal container;

[0022] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a system for aggregating data of disposable medical devices;

[0023] Figure 3 is for Figure 2 a schematic view of the system of; and

[0024] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for aggregating data of disposable medical devices.

[0025] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set forth herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and such examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Detailed Description

[0026] Spatial or directional terms such as "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "above", "below", etc. should not be considered restrictive, as the present utility model can adopt various alternative orientations.

[0027] All numbers used in the specification and claims should be understood to be modified in all cases by the term "about". "About" refers to a range of plus or minus 10% of the stated value. As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "first", "second", etc. do not refer to any particular order or sequence, but rather to different conditions, characteristics, or elements. "At least" means "greater than or equal to".

[0028] As used herein, the terms "communicate" and "convey" refer to the receipt or transmission of one or more signals, messages, commands, or other types of data 220. A unit (e.g., any device, system, or component thereof) communicates with another unit means that the one unit is capable of directly or indirectly receiving data 220 from the other unit and / or transmitting data 220 to the other unit. This can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection that is inherently wired and / or wireless. Additionally, although the data 220 being transmitted may be modified, processed, relayed, and / or routed between the first unit and the second unit, the two units can still communicate with each other. For example, even if the first unit passively receives data 220 and does not actively transmit data 220 to the second unit, the first unit can still communicate with the second unit. As another example, if an intermediate unit processes data 220 from one unit and transmits the processed data 220 to the second unit, the first unit can communicate with the second unit. It should be understood that many other arrangements are possible.

[0029] It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein can be implemented in different forms of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The actual special control hardware or software code for implementing these systems and / or methods is not limited to these implementation forms. Therefore, when the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, it should be understood that the software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein.

[0030] As used herein, the term "computing device" or "computer device" may refer to one or more such electronic devices: the electronic devices are configured to communicate directly or indirectly with one or more networks or communicate through one or more networks. A computing device may be a mobile device, a desktop computer, etc. In addition, the term "computer" may refer to any computing device that includes the necessary components for receiving, processing, and outputting data, and typically includes a display, a processor, a memory, an input device, and a network interface. An "application" or "application program interface" (API) refers to computer code or other data stored on a computer-readable medium that can be executed by a processor to facilitate the interaction between software components, such as a client-side front end and / or a server-side back end for receiving data from a client. An "interface" refers to a generated display, such as one or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with which a user can interact directly or indirectly (e.g., through a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, etc.).

[0031] As used herein, the term "server" may refer to or include one or more processors or computers, storage devices, or similar computer arrangements that are operated by or facilitate the communication and processing of multiple parties in a network environment such as the Internet, although it will be understood that communication may also be facilitated via one or more public or private network environments, and various other arrangements are possible. In addition, multiple computers (e.g., servers or other computerized devices such as POS devices) that communicate directly or indirectly in a network environment may constitute a "system", such as a merchant's POS system.

[0032] The medical device disposal container 100, system 200, and method 300 disclosed herein are designed to integrate a sensor 150 to collect drug information of a used medical device 160 (e.g., a syringe) before disposal. The method 300 for collecting drug information may utilize an active sensor (e.g., an optical sensor) that reads the information printed on a label pasted on the syringe. Alternatively, the sensor may be a passive sensor (e.g., an RFID / NFC chip) embedded in the syringe and containing drug information. In either case, when the syringe is disposed of, the information is read. In addition to drug information (e.g., drug name, dosage, and concentration), other information on the label or chip (e.g., diluent used or message alert) may also be transmitted. The collected information may be stored locally or sent to a server via a wireless connection. Generally, the sharps container is hung on a wall or placed on a surface and near a wall-mounted socket: the container can also be inserted into the wall-mounted socket to meet its power requirements.

[0033] The information and data collected can be further aggregated and analyzed to build analytics such as the most frequently opened / injected medications, quantifying the carbon footprint of the site, etc. Additionally, this information can be used to help address the issue of drug diversion. It is also envisioned that the disclosed medical device disposal containers, systems, and methods are configured to integrate with Intelliport TM to map the travel of a medical syringe, and data from that medical syringe travel can be integrated into the SiteScan TM dashboard.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 , a medical device disposal container 100 is disclosed. The medical device disposal container 100 can be used to receive a used syringe or other medical devices with sharps. For example, the medical device disposal container 100 can be a sharps container. The medical device disposal container 100 includes a container body 110. The container body 110 defines an opening 120. The opening 120 is sized and shaped to receive a used medical device 160, such as a used syringe or other medical device with a needle.

[0035] Still referring to Figure 1 , the medical device disposal container 100 includes at least one sensor 150 near the opening 120. The at least one sensor 150 can be embedded in the container body 110 such that they are a single integral piece, or the at least one sensor 150 can be detachably coupled to the container body 110. The at least one sensor 150 can be positioned on the container body 110 such that when a used medical device 160 is discarded into the container 100 via the opening 120, the at least one sensor 150 can sense and / or read the information stored in an identifier 170 located on the used medical device 160.

[0036] The at least one sensor 150 is configured to communicate with a computing device 210. In one example, the at least one sensor 150 communicates wirelessly with the computing device 210. In another example, the at least one sensor 150 includes a remote computing device 152 configured to transmit and / or process data 220. The at least one sensor 150 and the computing device 210 can communicate via any suitable wireless transmission means, such as but not limited to Wi-Fi, cellular network, Bluetooth, radio transmission, or any other suitable means.

[0037] At least one sensor 150 is configured to sense, collect, and transmit data 220 stored on a used medical device 160 (e.g., a syringe). The used medical device 160 may include information stored thereon in the form of a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, an active radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a passive RFID tag, a near field communication (NFC) chip, or other means of storing data 220 related to the drug and / or the patient for whom the drug was prescribed.

[0038] As described above, the RFID tag can be a passive tag or an active tag. The passive tag has no power source and is instead powered by energy wirelessly received from an RFID reader. The active tag is powered by a local or internal power source (e.g., a battery, etc.). The RFID tag can include an antenna and a device (e.g., a storage chip, etc.) that stores electronically the information and / or data 220 to be read by the RFID reader from the RFID tag.

[0039] RFID generally operates in the following three main frequency ranges: Low Frequency (LF) (e.g., approximately 120 KHz to 150 KHz), High Frequency (HF) (e.g., approximately 13.56 MHz), and Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) (e.g., approximately 865 MHz to 868 MHz in Europe and approximately 902 MHz to 928 MHz in the United States). The LF and HF frequency ranges use a magnetic coupling system, where the fields of the RFID reader antenna and the RFID tag must lineup so that the RFID reader can read the RFID tag. The LF and HF frequency ranges work well if the orientation of the RFID tag relative to the reader can be controlled. In contrast, within the UHF frequency range, the RFID tag can still be read even if the field orientation of the RFID tag is not directly aligned with the RFID reader antenna. Therefore, UHF RFID tags can perform better in situations where the orientation of the RFID tag relative to the RFID reader is not easily controlled and / or known.

[0040] Accordingly, at least one sensor 150 of the medical device disposal container 100 can be of any type required for the intended application. In one example, the at least one sensor 150 is an optical sensor configured to optically collect data 220 (e.g., data from a barcode or QR code). In another example, the at least one sensor 150 is an NFC reader (the identifier 170 being one or more NFC chips) or an RFID reader (the identifier 170 being one or more RFID tags) configured to collect data 220 from the identifier 170. The reader is configured to communicate wirelessly with the NFC chip and / or RFID tag.

[0041] Still referring Figure 1 , in one or more examples, the medical device disposal container 100 may further include a lid 130. The lid 130 may cover the opening 120 of the medical device disposal container 100. In one example, the at least one sensor 150 is located on the lid 130 of the medical device disposal container 100.

[0042] The medical device disposal container 100 may further include a socket 140 for coupling to a power source, such as a power outlet. The socket 140 may be used to power the at least one sensor 150.

[0043] Referring Figure 2 and Figure 3 , in one or more examples, a system 200 for aggregating data 220 of disposable medical devices 160 is disclosed.

[0044] Still referring Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the system 200 includes the medical device disposal container 100 shown and described herein. The medical device disposal container 100 includes a container body 110 defining an opening 120. The medical device disposal container 100 further includes at least one sensor 150 positioned near the opening 120.

[0045] Still referring Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the system 200 includes a computing device 210 in communication with the at least one sensor 150. In one example, the computing device 210 communicates wirelessly with the at least one sensor 150 on the medical device disposal container 100. The computing device 210 may include a memory 212, a processor 214, a bus 216, and a storage component 218. The computing device 210 may be configured to receive, store, analyze, and transmit data 220 received from the at least one sensor 150.

[0046] Referring Figure 4, a method 300 for aggregating data 220 of disposable medical devices 160 is also disclosed. Method 300 initially includes receiving 310 a used medical device 160. The receiving 310 can occur when a user discards the used medical device 160 through the opening 120 into the medical device disposal container 100.

[0047] Method 300 includes sensing 320 data 220 using the sensor 150. The data 220 can be stored in an identifier 170 located on the used medical device 160. The identifier 170 can be any one of a barcode, an NFC chip, an RFID tag, a QR code, or other means of storing data 220. In one example, the sensing 320 is performed optically. In another example, the sensing 320 is performed wirelessly.

[0048] Still referring to Figure 4 , in one or more examples, method 300 includes transmitting 330 the data 220 to the computing device 210. In one example, the transmitting 330 is performed wirelessly. Method 300 can also include: after the sensing 320, analyzing 340 the data 220. The analyzing 340 can be performed by the computing device 210, or can be performed manually by an analyst who receives the data 220 from the computing device 210.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration based on the currently considered most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be understood that such details are for that purpose only, and the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it should be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Claims

1. A medical device disposal container, the medical device disposal container comprising: A container body defining an opening; And At least one sensor near the opening, the at least one sensor communicating with a computing device.

2. The medical device disposal container according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one sensor is configured to collect data stored in an identifier of a used medical device.

3. The medical device disposal container according to claim 1, wherein The at least one sensor is detachably coupled to the container body.

4. The medical device disposal container according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one sensor is embedded in the container body.

5. The medical device disposal container according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one sensor is an optical sensor.

6. The medical device disposal container according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one sensor is an RFID reader.

7. The medical device disposal container according to claim 1, the medical device disposal container further comprising a lid coupled to the opening.

8. The medical device disposal container according to claim 7, wherein, The at least one sensor is located on the lid.

9. A system for aggregating data of disposable medical devices, the system comprising: A computing device; And A medical device disposal container communicating with the computing device, the medical device disposal container comprising: A container body defining an opening; And At least one sensor near the opening.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein, The at least one sensor communicates wirelessly with the computing device.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein, The medical device disposal container includes a lid coupled to the opening of the container body.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein, The computing device includes: A memory; A processor; A bus; and A storage component.

13. The system according to claim 9, the system further comprising at least one used medical device having at least one identifier.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein, The at least one used medical device is a syringe.

15. A method for aggregating data of disposable medical devices, the method comprising: Sensing data using a sensor; Transmitting the data to a computing device.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The sensing is performed optically.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The sensing is performed wirelessly.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The transmission is performed wirelessly.

19. The method according to claim 15, the method further comprising: Receiving a used medical device.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises: After the sensing, analyzing the data.

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