Medical waste treatment system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of medical waste treatment, in particular to a medical waste treatment system which comprises a treatment chamber, a waste treatment device and a waste treatment device. The grabbing device is arranged in the treatment chamber, and the grabbing device comprises a first mechanical arm used for grabbing the main body part of the medical waste; the second mechanical arm is used for grabbing sharp parts of the medical wastes; the shearing device is arranged at the position adjacent to the grabbing device and used for shearing and separating the sharp part of the medical waste from the main body part of the medical waste under the condition that the grabbing device grabs the medical waste; the storage containers are arranged in the treatment chamber and are used for classifying and storing various parts of the medical wastes; and the spraying device is arranged at the top of the treatment chamber and is used for spraying disinfectant and / or sterilizing water into the treatment space. The scheme is used for realizing integrated treatment of safe shearing separation and efficient disinfection and sterilization of medical wastes, especially infusion apparatuses with needles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical waste treatment, and in particular to a medical waste treatment system. Background Art

[0002] In modern healthcare, the widespread use of medical devices has greatly improved the efficiency and accuracy of disease diagnosis, treatment, and nursing care. However, in actual clinical practice, the design of some medical devices still has certain limitations, especially in terms of infection control and occupational safety and protection, and fails to fully meet the operational needs and safety of medical staff.

[0003] Take intravenous infusion, for example. As one of the most commonly used clinical treatments, it involves a large number of disposable devices, such as infusion bags, infusion sets, and needles. According to current medical waste disposal procedures, discarded infusion sets are typically handled manually by medical staff, which involves cutting the infusion hoses, removing the needles, and sorting them. This process is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also carries a high risk of occupational exposure, particularly needlestick injuries.

[0004] Research shows that needlestick injuries are one of the most common occupational injuries among medical personnel, potentially transmitting a variety of highly dangerous blood-borne infections, such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These incidents not only pose a serious threat to the physical health of medical staff but can also trigger psychological reactions such as anxiety and fear, impacting their work performance and quality of life.

[0005] In addition, due to the lack of unified and standardized operating tools and safety devices, the current manual processing method has certain shortcomings in standardization, operability and safety. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a medical waste treatment system to address the defects of the prior art in the process of medical staff handling discarded infusion sets, such as a high risk of needlestick injuries, cumbersome operations, insufficient infection control, and low classification and treatment efficiency. It realizes the integrated treatment of medical waste materials, especially infusion sets with needles, with safe shearing and separation and efficient disinfection and sterilization.

[0007] The present invention provides a medical waste treatment system, comprising: a treatment chamber, wherein a treatment space for treating medical waste is formed therein; a gripping device, disposed in the treatment chamber, the gripping device comprising: a first robotic arm, configured to grip a main body of the medical waste; a second robotic arm, configured to grip a sharp portion of the medical waste; a shearing device, disposed adjacent to the gripping device, configured to shear and separate the sharp portion of the medical waste from the main body of the medical waste when the gripping device grips the medical waste; a plurality of storage containers, disposed in the treatment chamber, configured to classify and accommodate various parts of the medical waste; and a spraying device, disposed at the top of the treatment chamber, configured to spray disinfectant and / or sterilizing water into the treatment space.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an automatic door is provided on the side of the processing chamber; when the automatic door is opened, the first robotic arm and the second robotic arm can extend out of the automatic door to grab the medical waste from the outside of the automatic door into the processing space.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it includes a hot air drying device, which includes: a fan module, arranged at the top of the processing chamber, for blowing air into the processing space during operation; a heating module, arranged on the air inlet side of the fan module, for generating heat to heat the air on the air inlet side.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the hot air drying device also includes a filter module arranged on the air inlet side of the fan module, which is used to filter impurities in the air flowing to the fan module; and / or, the front and rear sides of the fan of the fan module are respectively provided with protective structures, and the protective structures are any one of a filter net and a protective grille. The present invention also provides one or more.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the spray device includes a spray arm arranged at the inner top of the treatment chamber, and a liquid supply mechanism arranged at the outer side of the treatment chamber, the liquid supply mechanism including: a disinfectant container for storing disinfectant; a water container for storing water, which is provided with an ultraviolet lamp inside for killing bacteria in the water in the water container; a reversing valve, respectively connected to the disinfectant container and the water container; a liquid pump, connected between the reversing valve and the spray arm, for pumping disinfectant or sterilized water from the disinfectant container or the water container to the spray arm through the connection of the reversing valve.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the spray arm is provided with a rotating shaft, and the spray arm is rotatably mounted on the top of the processing chamber through the rotating shaft. Inside the rotating shaft, the spray arm is provided with a spiral flow channel, which is used to make the spray arm rotate around the axis of the rotating shaft under the action of the fluid when the liquid pump is running; the spray arm is provided with a plurality of spray holes arranged along the length direction of the spray arm; the rotating shaft is connected to the middle part of the spray arm, and the shape of the spray arm gradually becomes thinner from the middle part to the two ends.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the grasping device includes a mechanical base; the first mechanical arm and the second mechanical arm are jointly installed on the mechanical base; a clamping mechanism is respectively provided at the end of the first mechanical arm and the second mechanical arm, and the clamping mechanism includes: a clamping base, which is installed at the end of the first mechanical arm and the second mechanical arm; two symmetrically arranged gear arms, the gear arms including a gear portion hinged to the clamping base, and a swing arm portion extending from the gear portion; two symmetrically arranged clamping rods, the distal ends of the clamping rods forming claw ends for grasping the medical waste, the proximal ends of the clamping rods hinged to the distal ends of the swing arm portions, and the proximal ends and middle portions of the clamping rods are respectively connected to the clamping base via hinged connecting rods; a clamping driver, which is provided on the clamping base, and is used to simultaneously drive the two symmetrically arranged gear arms to swing relative or oppositely.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple storage containers include a sharps box, which is arranged at an adjacent position to the shearing device and is used to store the infusion needles of the infusion bags and the needle tips of the syringes. The sharps box is provided with a compartment door for closing the box opening of the sharps box; a lower partition is provided in the processing chamber; the processing space is formed above the lower partition, and the gripping device, the shearing device and the spraying device are all located in the processing space; a waste recovery space is formed below the lower partition, and a plurality of infectious waste barrels are provided in the waste recovery space.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the shearing device includes: a third robotic arm; a scissors mechanism, which is arranged at the end of the third robotic arm, and the scissors mechanism includes: a connecting rod driving mechanism, which is arranged at the end of the third robotic arm; a first blade body and a second blade body which are symmetrically arranged and installed on the connecting rod driving mechanism, and are used to move synchronously in relative or opposite directions under the drive of the connecting rod driving mechanism.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a high-pressure spray device is further provided at the end of the third robotic arm for high-pressure spraying of disinfectant; the nozzle of the high-pressure spray device is directed toward the symmetrical center line of the first blade body and the second blade body; when the first blade body and the second blade body are close to each other, the high-pressure spray device is used to spray disinfectant toward the closed part of the first blade body and the second blade body; when the first blade body and the second blade body are away from each other, the high-pressure spray device is used to locally spray disinfectant toward the inner wall of the treatment chamber.

[0017] The medical waste treatment system provided by the present invention is equipped with a grasping device having a first robotic arm and a second robotic arm to grasp the main part and the sharp part of the medical waste respectively, and cooperates with the shearing device at the adjacent position to separate the sharp part from the main part, and uses a plurality of classification storage containers to classify and store them. At the same time, the top spray device is used to disinfect and sterilize the treatment space, thereby effectively reducing the occupational exposure risk of medical staff and improving the safety, standardization and automation level of medical waste treatment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, a brief introduction is given below to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the modular structure of the medical waste treatment system provided by the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the grabbing device of the medical waste treatment system provided by the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the shearing device of the medical waste treatment system provided by the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of the scissors mechanism of the shearing device.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the fan module of the medical waste treatment system provided by the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of the spray arm of the medical waste treatment system provided by the present invention.

[0025] Reference numerals: 10. Processing chamber; 11. Automatic door; 12. Fan module; 121. Protective structure; 13. Heating module; 14. Sharps box; 15. Lower partition; 16. Infectious waste barrel; 21. First robotic arm; 22. Second robotic arm; 23. Mechanical base; 24. Gripper seat; 25. Gear arm; 26. Gripper rod; 27. Articulated connecting rod; 28. Gripper driver; 30. Shearing device; 31. Third robotic arm; 32. Connecting rod drive mechanism; 33. First blade; 34. Second blade; 35. High-pressure jet device; 40. Spray device; 41. Spray arm; 42. Disinfectant container; 43. Water container; 44. Reversing valve; 45. Liquid pump; 46. Rotating shaft; 47. Spray hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second" and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. It should also be noted that in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "install" and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0028] The medical waste treatment system provided by this invention facilitates the automated processing and sorting of infusion waste, helping to reduce the incidence of needlestick injuries and thus better protect the occupational safety of medical personnel. This system reduces reliance on manual operation when handling used infusion bags and infusion straps, further reducing operational risks and alleviating workload for medical personnel. After completing medical waste treatment, the system is equipped to clean, disinfect, and dry the interior, facilitating subsequent use and improving the safety and operational efficiency of the equipment.

[0029] The following combination Figures 1-6 A specific embodiment of the medical waste treatment system of the present invention is described.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a medical waste treatment system, comprising: a treatment chamber 10, forming a treatment space therein for treating medical waste; a gripping device disposed in the treatment chamber 10, the gripping device comprising: a first robotic arm 21, for gripping the main body of the medical waste; a second robotic arm 22, for gripping the sharp portion of the medical waste; a shearing device 30, disposed adjacent to the gripping device, for shearing and separating the sharp portion of the medical waste from the main body of the medical waste when the gripping device grips the medical waste; a plurality of storage containers disposed in the treatment chamber 10, for classifying and storing various parts of the medical waste; and a spraying device 40, disposed at the top of the treatment chamber 10, for spraying disinfectant and / or sterilizing water into the treatment space.

[0031] Specifically, the system utilizes dual robotic arms working in tandem to automatically identify and precisely capture medical waste (such as discarded infusion sets and needles). The first robotic arm 21 secures or grips the main components, such as infusion hoses, while the second robotic arm 22 specifically grasps sharp parts, such as needles. This is achieved through the action of a shearing device 30, enabling safe separation. The separated waste components are then placed in corresponding storage containers for classified disposal. Furthermore, a spraying device 40 efficiently sprays and disinfects the processing space before and after treatment, ensuring a clean and safe operating environment.

[0032] In practical applications, the aforementioned medical waste treatment system can be deployed in hospital wards, operating rooms, or centralized medical waste storage areas to automatically process used disposable infusion sets. Medical personnel simply place the waste to be processed into treatment chamber 10 and activate the system. Subsequent processes such as grabbing, shearing, sorting, and disinfection are controlled by a controller or, when combined with an intelligent control system, are automatically completed by the system, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This effectively reduces the occupational exposure risks associated with manual operations and improves processing efficiency and standardization.

[0033] Furthermore, as an extension of the present invention, an image recognition module and intelligent control system can be integrated into the system to automatically identify and locate incoming medical waste. This module can capture image information using a camera and, combined with AI algorithms, analyze the structural characteristics of the waste to automatically determine the needle tip position and shearing point, thereby guiding the two robotic arms to precisely coordinate, enhancing the system's intelligence and applicability. Furthermore, a remote monitoring interface can be configured to support real-time monitoring and management of the equipment's operating status by the hospital's logistics management system, realizing a new model of information-based and intelligent medical waste treatment. In this extension, the specific connection and layout of the control circuit can be customized to suit different equipment structures and functional requirements. For example, the control circuit can adopt a distributed layout, connecting the main control module with various execution units (such as the robotic arm drive module) via a communication bus to achieve modular control. Alternatively, a centralized control structure can be adopted, with a central controller coordinating the operating sequence and operation flow of each component. Furthermore, the control circuit can also integrate a sensor signal acquisition module to obtain real-time parameters such as robotic arm position, pressure, and temperature to ensure the stability and safety of system operation. The circuit layout should follow the electromagnetic compatibility design principles and can be flexibly arranged according to the spatial structure of the equipment to improve the reliability and maintenance convenience of the system.

[0034] Furthermore, according to a medical waste treatment system of the present invention, an automatic door 11 is installed on the side of the treatment chamber 10. When the automatic door 11 is open, the first and second robotic arms 21, 22 can extend from the automatic door 11 to grab medical waste from outside the automatic door 11 and bring it into the treatment space. Specifically, the automatic door 11 is preferably installed on the side wall of the treatment chamber 10, and it can slide along tracks or rotate on hinges to open and close. After the system receives the medical waste treatment instruction and completes safety checks (such as confirming that there are no personnel in the operation area), the automatic door 11 will open, allowing the first and second robotic arms 21, 22 to partially extend outside the treatment chamber 10. At this point, the robotic arms can grasp the medical waste to be processed from outside according to a preset path or through image recognition guidance, and smoothly transfer it into the treatment space. After the grab is completed, the automatic door 11 closes again, ensuring that the subsequent cutting, sorting, and disinfection processes are carried out in a closed environment, preventing potential cross-contamination and occupational exposure risks. This structural design not only improves the operational flexibility of the equipment but also effectively isolates personnel from the machine, further ensuring the safety of medical personnel.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 5As shown, a medical waste treatment system according to the present invention includes a hot air drying device, which includes: a fan module 12, which is arranged at the top of the treatment chamber 10 and is used to blow air into the treatment space during operation; a heating module 13, which is arranged on the air inlet side of the fan module 12 and is used to generate heat to heat the air on the air inlet side. Specifically, the hot air drying device is integrated into the top structure of the treatment chamber 10 and includes a fan module 12 and a heating module 13. Among them, the fan module 12 is used to start after the system completes the spray disinfection program, introduce external air or circulating air into the treatment chamber 10, and supply air to the interior of the treatment space through reasonably arranged air outlets to accelerate the evaporation and discharge of residual liquid during the medical waste treatment process. The heating module 13 is arranged on the air inlet side of the fan module 12, and can heat the air before it enters the fan, thereby achieving effective control of the humidity in the treatment space and improving the drying efficiency.

[0036] Furthermore, the heating module 13's heating temperature can be adjusted according to the needs of different processing stages and is electrically connected to the control system to implement intelligent temperature control. For example, during the drying phase after disinfection, the heating module 13 can heat the air to an appropriate temperature (e.g., 50-80°C), ensuring that all surfaces inside the equipment and on the surfaces of medical waste are quickly dried, reducing the risk of bacterial growth and providing a clean, dry working environment for the next processing operation.

[0037] Furthermore, according to a medical waste treatment system of the present invention, the hot air drying device also includes a filter module arranged on the air inlet side of the fan module 12, which is used to filter impurities in the air flowing to the fan module 12; and / or, the front and rear sides of the fan of the fan module 12 are respectively provided with protective structures 121, and the protective structure 121 is any of a filter net and a protective grille. The present invention also provides one or more. Specifically, the hot air drying device preferably also includes a filter module, which can be arranged on the air inlet side of the fan module 12, and is used to filter impurities in the air flowing to the fan module 12, thereby avoiding the pollution of the treatment process and the internal environment of the equipment by external dust or impurities, and is conducive to maintaining the long-term stable operation of the system. The filter module can select different levels of filter materials according to actual needs to adapt to different purification requirements.

[0038] In addition, protective structures 121 can be provided on both sides of the fan module 12, front and rear of the fan. These protective structures 121 can be a combination of one or more filters, protective grilles, or both. Protective structures 121 can prevent large volumes of material from entering the fan and may also prevent accidental injury to personnel. Through the above design, the medical waste treatment system provided by the present invention achieves multi-level purification and protection throughout the entire process, from air introduction to exhaust, effectively ensuring the cleanliness of the environment within the treatment chamber 10 and the safety and stability of equipment operation.

[0039] like Figure 1and Figure 6 As shown, according to a medical waste treatment system of the present invention, the spray device 40 includes a spray arm 41 arranged at the inner top of the treatment chamber 10, and a liquid supply mechanism arranged outside the treatment chamber 10, the liquid supply mechanism including: a disinfectant container 42 for storing disinfectant; a water container 43 for storing water, which is provided with an ultraviolet lamp inside for killing bacteria in the water in the water container 43; a reversing valve 44, respectively connected to the disinfectant container 42 and the water container 43; a liquid pump 45, connected between the reversing valve 44 and the spray arm 41, for pumping disinfectant or sterilized water from the disinfectant container 42 or the water container 43 to the spray arm 41 through the connection of the reversing valve 44. Specifically, in the liquid supply mechanism of the spray device 40, the disinfectant container 42 is used to store disinfectants suitable for medical waste treatment, such as chlorine-containing or peroxide-based disinfectants; the water container 43 is used to store sterilized water for flushing or dilution, and is equipped with an ultraviolet lamp inside, which can continuously sterilize the stored water to prevent the growth of bacteria in the water and ensure the cleanliness of the water used for spraying.

[0040] The reversing valve 44 is connected to the disinfectant container 42 and the water container 43 respectively, and the liquid source can be switched according to a preset program or operating instruction, realizing free switching between disinfectant and sterile water. The liquid pump 45 is arranged between the reversing valve 44 and the spray arm 41, responsible for pressurizing the selected liquid and delivering it to the spray arm 41, and evenly spraying it into the processing space through the multiple spray holes 47 distributed thereon, thereby comprehensively covering the medical waste and the interior of the processing chamber 10 for cleaning and disinfection. Through the above-mentioned structural design, the spray device 40 can flexibly select the spray medium in different processing stages, for example, using a high-efficiency disinfectant in the disinfection stage and using sterile water to clean the disinfectant in the stage after the disinfection is completed, thereby improving the overall cleaning and sterilization effect. At the same time, the ultraviolet lamp sterilizes the water source in the water container 43 in real time to avoid secondary contamination, further enhancing the hygienic and safety performance of the system.

[0041] Furthermore, according to a medical waste treatment system of the present invention, a spray arm 41 is provided with a rotating shaft 46, and the spray arm 41 is rotatably mounted on the top of the treatment chamber 10 via the rotating shaft 46. The spray arm 41 is provided with a spiral flow channel inside the rotating shaft 46, which is used to rotate the spray arm 41 around the axis of the rotating shaft 46 under the action of the fluid when the liquid pump 45 is running. The spray arm 41 is provided with a plurality of spray holes 47 arranged along the length of the spray arm 41. The rotating shaft 46 is connected to the middle of the spray arm 41, and the shape of the spray arm 41 gradually tapers from the middle to the ends. Specifically, the spray arm 41 is rotatably mounted on the top of the treatment chamber 10 via the rotating shaft 46 provided thereon. When the liquid pump 45 is started and fluid is delivered to the spray arm 41, the reaction force generated by the fluid flow can be used to drive the spray arm 41 to automatically rotate, thereby achieving all-round spraying of various areas within the treatment space. A spiral flow channel is provided inside the rotating shaft 46 , which can generate a tangential force when liquid flows through the channel, further pushing the spray arm 41 to rotate around the axis of the rotating shaft 46 , thereby improving the spray coverage and uniformity.

[0042] There are multiple spray holes 47 arranged along the length of the spray arm 41. These spray holes 47 can be designed with different angles and apertures according to actual needs to enhance the spray effect. The internal space of the spray arm 41 is designed to be thicker in the middle and gradually taper towards the two ends. This structure helps to balance the flow resistance of the fluid inside the spray arm 41, so that the liquid delivered from the liquid pump 45 can maintain a relatively consistent pressure distribution in the process of flowing to the two ends of the spray arm 41, thereby ensuring that the outlet pressure of each spray hole 47 tends to be uniform, avoiding the problem of insufficient spray force at the end. This structure not only improves the uniformity and efficiency of spray cleaning and disinfection, but also helps to reduce mechanical vibration and wear caused by uneven pressure, thereby improving the working stability and service life of the spray device 40. Combined with the self-rotation function of the spray arm 41, an efficient, uniform and stable spraying effect is achieved, providing reliable cleaning and sterilization guarantees for the medical waste treatment system.

[0043] like Figure 2As shown, according to a medical waste treatment system of the present invention, the grasping device includes a mechanical base 23; a first mechanical arm 21 and a second mechanical arm 22 are jointly mounted on the mechanical base 23; a clamping mechanism is respectively provided at the end of the first mechanical arm 21 and the second mechanical arm 22, and the clamping mechanism includes: a clamping base 24, mounted at the end of the first mechanical arm 21 and the second mechanical arm 22; two symmetrically arranged gear arms 25, the gear arm 25 including a gear portion hinged to the clamping base 24 and a swing arm portion extending from the gear portion; two symmetrically arranged clamping rods 26, the distal ends of the clamping rods 26 forming claw ends for grasping medical waste items, the proximal ends of the clamping rods 26 being hinged to the distal ends of the swing arm portions, and the proximal ends and middle portions of the clamping rods 26 being connected to the clamping base 24 via hinged connecting rods 27 respectively; a clamping driver 28, provided on the clamping base 24, for simultaneously driving the two symmetrically arranged gear arms 25 to swing relative or oppositely. Specifically, a first robotic arm 21 and a second robotic arm 22 are mounted on a mechanical base 23, respectively, for grasping the main body (e.g., infusion hose) and sharp parts (e.g., needles) of medical waste. Both arms are equipped with identical gripper mechanisms at their ends to adaptably grasp different types of medical waste. Each gripper mechanism comprises a gripper base 24, two symmetrically arranged sets of gear arms 25 and gripper rods 26, and a gripper driver 28. The gripper base 24 is fixedly connected to the end of the robotic arm; the gear arm 25 consists of a gear portion and a swing arm portion. The gear portion is hinged to the gripper base 24 and can rotate about its axis, while the swing arm portion extends from the gear portion to form a lever structure. The distal end of the gripper rod 26 is the claw end that actually performs the grasping action. Its proximal end is hinged to the end of the swing arm portion and connected to the gripper base 24 via hinged connecting rods 27 at its mid- and proximal ends, forming a multi-link linkage structure.

[0044] The gripper driver 28 is housed within the gripper base 24. Its output is connected to at least one of the gear arms 25. By driving the gear arm 25 to rotate, it simultaneously drives the other gear arm 25 to rotate in the opposite direction, opening or closing the two gripper rods 26. This gear-engaging gripper mechanism offers advantages such as compact structure, rapid response, and controllable gripping force. It automatically adjusts the gripping angle and force to suit the shapes and sizes of medical waste, ensuring a stable and reliable gripping process and avoiding the risks of slippage or misoperation.

[0045] like Figure 1As shown, according to a medical waste treatment system of the present invention, multiple storage containers include a sharps box 14, which is located adjacent to a shearing device 30 and is used to store infusion needles from infusion bags and syringe needle tips. The sharps box 14 is provided with a compartment door for sealing the opening of the sharps box 14. A lower partition 15 is provided within the treatment chamber 10. A treatment space is formed above the lower partition 15, and a gripping device, shearing device 30, and spraying device 40 are all located within the treatment space. A waste recovery space is formed below the lower partition 15, and multiple infectious waste barrels 16 are provided within the waste recovery space. Specifically, the medical waste treatment system is provided with multiple classified storage containers for classified storage of different parts of medical waste materials after shear separation. The sharps box 14 serves as a dedicated container specifically for collecting medical waste that poses a risk of puncture, such as infusion needles from infusion bags and syringe needle tips. The sharps box 14 is located adjacent to the shearing device 30, allowing the second robotic arm 22 to accurately place sharp objects into the box. A compartment door is located on the top of the sharps box 14 to keep the box closed when not in use, preventing needles from accidentally ejecting or spreading contamination, ensuring safe operation.

[0046] In the internal structural design of the treatment chamber 10, the system preferably divides the entire cavity into two functional areas, upper and lower, by providing a lower partition 15. Above the lower partition 15 is the processing space, where the gripping device, shearing device 30, and spraying device 40 are located. All key operations such as grasping, shearing, and spray disinfection of medical waste are completed within this space. Below the lower partition 15, a waste recovery space is formed to accommodate multiple infectious waste barrels 16, which are used to store non-sharp infectious waste such as sheared infusion hoses and infusion bag bodies. Through this layered structural design, the system effectively separates the processing operation area from the waste storage area, not only improving the overall space utilization of the equipment but also effectively controlling the risk of cross-contamination. Furthermore, each storage container (including the sharps box 14 and infectious waste barrel 16) is preferably removable and replaceable for easy emptying and maintenance.

[0047] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, according to a medical waste treatment system of the present invention, a shearing device 30 comprises: a third robotic arm 31; a scissor mechanism disposed at the end of the third robotic arm 31; the scissor mechanism includes: a connecting rod drive mechanism 32 disposed at the end of the third robotic arm 31; and symmetrically arranged first and second blades 33, 34 mounted on the connecting rod drive mechanism 32, configured to move synchronously in opposite or opposite directions under the drive of the connecting rod drive mechanism 32. Specifically, after the grasping device secures and positions the medical waste item (such as an infusion set), the third robotic arm 31 drives the scissor mechanism to a designated position. The connecting rod drive mechanism 32 then forces the first and second blades 33, 34 to close relative to each other, generating a shearing force that safely separates the sharp portion (such as a needle) of the medical waste item from its main body. This shearing process is completed within a closed processing space, ensuring safe and controllable operation and avoiding occupational exposure risks associated with manual operation.

[0048] Furthermore, according to a medical waste treatment system of the present invention, the end of the third robotic arm 31 is preferably further provided with a high-pressure spray device 35 for spraying disinfectant at high pressure. The nozzle of the high-pressure spray device 35 is oriented toward the symmetrical centerline of the first blade body 33 and the second blade body 34, enabling pre-disinfection of the blade edges before the shearing action or rapid flushing of residual contaminants after the shearing is complete. When the first blade body 33 and the second blade body 34 are in a closed position, the high-pressure spray device 35 is used to spray disinfectant toward the closed area of ​​the first blade body 33 and the second blade body 34, effectively removing blood or pathogens that may be attached to the blade edges and preventing cross-contamination. When the first blade body 33 and the second blade body 34 are separated from each other, the high-pressure spray device 35 can also be used to spray disinfectant locally onto the inner wall of the treatment chamber 10, for example, to clean and disinfect specific areas of the inner wall of the treatment chamber 10 (such as the area surrounding the shearing area), thereby improving overall cleanliness and sterilization efficiency. By integrating the high-pressure spray function, the shearing device 30 not only achieves precise shearing but also enhances the hygienic safety and automated maintenance capabilities of the equipment in high-risk environments.

[0049] Furthermore, a high-definition camera can be integrated at the end of the third robotic arm 31, and the operator can judge the cleanliness of the first blade 33 and the second blade 34 in real time through the camera image, ensuring that the shearing device 30 performs the next operation without the attachment of pollutants, thereby improving the sanitation and safety level of the equipment. At the same time, the high-definition camera can also be used to observe whether there are residues or abnormal conditions on the inner wall of the processing chamber 10, to assist in judging whether enhanced cleaning or maintenance is needed. In addition, one or more fixed high-definition cameras can be installed at other locations inside the processing chamber 10 that do not affect the normal operation of the device to achieve multi-angle monitoring of the entire processing space, facilitate remote operation, troubleshooting and later video tracing, and further improve the intelligence level and operational reliability of the system.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment of the medical waste treatment system of the present invention, the automatic door 11 on the side of the treatment chamber 10 can be opened manually or automatically based on control commands, facilitating the insertion of medical waste to be processed. Subsequently, the first robotic arm 21 grasps the main body of the infusion bag, and the second robotic arm 22 grasps the needle head. After positioning, the automatic door 11 closes, and the shearing operation is performed within the enclosed treatment space. The third robotic arm 31 drives the scissor mechanism to precisely shear the infusion pump, with the shearing position located below the needle head held by the second robotic arm 22. At this point, the compartment door of the sharps container 14 opens, and the second robotic arm 22 safely deposits the needle head into the sharps container 14. The compartment door then closes, ensuring that no sharp objects are exposed. Next, the partition at the bottom of the treatment chamber 10 opens, and the third robotic arm 31 again shears the needle head connection portion of the infusion bag grasped by the first robotic arm 21, allowing the infusion strap to naturally fall into the corresponding infectious waste bin 16 below. Subsequently, the second robotic arm 22 grabs the remaining needle tip from the first robotic arm 21 and drops it back into the sharps box 14, and the compartment door closes. Finally, the first robotic arm 21 drops the remaining infusion bag body into another infectious waste bucket 16 located in the waste recycling space. The lower partition 15 of the processing chamber 10 closes, completing the entire infusion device sorting and processing process. When processing syringes, the operating process is similar: the first robotic arm 21 grabs the syringe barrel, the second robotic arm 22 pulls out the needle tip and safely transfers it to the sharps box 14, and then the first robotic arm 21 drops the syringe barrel into the infectious waste bucket 16, achieving safe disassembly and classified disposal of the syringe.

[0051] After the treatment is complete, the system can set a disinfection timer. When the set time is reached, the top spray device 40 is activated, and the spray arm 41 rotates to achieve full coverage. First, disinfectant is sprayed to thoroughly disinfect the interior of the treatment space and each robotic arm component. Then, the system switches to a sterile water rinse. This sterile water comes from a water container 43, which contains an ultraviolet lamp to continuously sterilize the water source, reducing additional sterilization steps and improving efficiency. After the rinse is completed, the hot air drying device is activated. Through the coordinated action of the fan module 12 and the heating module 13, the inner wall of the treatment chamber 10 and its components are efficiently dried, preparing for the next treatment.

[0052] In addition, the end of the third robotic arm 31 can also be integrated with a high-pressure spray device 35 and an AI recognition system (specifically, the high-definition camera mentioned above can be linked to the AI ​​recognition system). When the AI ​​recognition system detects the presence of blood or other contaminants on the end of the scissors, the high-pressure spray device 35 can immediately spray and disinfect the cutting area locally, ensuring that the cutting tool is always clean. At the same time, the inner wall of the processing chamber 10 is also preferably equipped with an AI image recognition device (such as a fixed-position high-definition camera linked to the AI ​​recognition system) to monitor in real time whether there are blood stains or stubborn stains. Once an abnormality is detected, the control system can guide the third robotic arm 31 to the corresponding area for fixed-point cleaning and disinfection, thereby realizing intelligent and adaptive cleaning and maintenance functions.

[0053] The overall design of the system of the present invention is conducive to the automatic grasping, cutting, sorting, storage and cleaning and disinfection of medical waste such as infusion sets and syringes, effectively reducing the occupational exposure risk of medical staff and improving the safety, standardization and automation level of medical waste treatment.

[0054] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "mode", "specific mode", or "some modes" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or mode are included in at least one embodiment or mode of the embodiment of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or mode. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or modes in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or modes and features of different embodiments or modes described in this specification without contradiction.

[0055] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A medical waste treatment system, characterized in that: include: A processing room, which forms a processing space for processing medical waste; A gripping device is provided in the processing chamber, and the gripping device comprises: A first robotic arm is used to grab the main part of the medical waste; a second robotic arm, for grabbing the sharp parts of the medical waste; a shearing device, disposed adjacent to the grasping device, for shearing and separating the sharp portion of the medical waste from the main body of the medical waste when the grasping device grasps the medical waste; A plurality of storage containers are provided in the processing chamber and are used to classify and store various parts of the medical waste; A spraying device is arranged on the top of the treatment chamber and is used to spray disinfectant and / or sterilizing water into the treatment space.

2. The medical waste treatment system according to claim 1, characterized in that: An automatic door is provided on the side of the processing chamber; When the automatic door is opened, the first robotic arm and the second robotic arm can extend out of the automatic door to grab the medical waste from the outside of the automatic door and put it into the processing space.

3. The medical waste treatment system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A hot air drying device is included, and the hot air drying device includes: a fan module, disposed at the top of the processing chamber, for blowing air into the processing space during operation; The heating module is arranged on the air inlet side of the fan module and is used to generate heat to heat the air on the air inlet side.

4. The medical waste treatment system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The hot air drying device further comprises a filter module disposed on the air inlet side of the fan module, for filtering impurities in the air flowing toward the fan module; And / or, protective structures are respectively provided on the front and rear sides of the fan of the fan module, and the protective structures are any one or more of a filter screen and a protective grille.

5. The medical waste treatment system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spray device includes a spray arm arranged at the inner top of the processing chamber, and a liquid supply mechanism arranged outside the processing chamber, and the liquid supply mechanism includes: A disinfectant container, used for storing disinfectant; A water container, used for storing water, wherein an ultraviolet lamp is provided inside the water container for killing bacteria in the water in the water container; a reversing valve, connected to the disinfectant container and the water container respectively; A liquid pump is connected between the reversing valve and the spray arm, and is used to pump disinfectant or sterilizing water from the disinfectant container or the water container to the spray arm through the connection of the reversing valve.

6. The medical waste treatment system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The spray arm is provided with a rotating shaft, and the spray arm is rotatably mounted on the top of the processing chamber through the rotating shaft. The spray arm is provided with a spiral flow channel inside the rotating shaft, which is used to rotate the spray arm around the axis of the rotating shaft under the action of the fluid when the liquid pump is running; The spray arm is provided with a plurality of spray holes arranged along the length direction of the spray arm; The rotating shaft is connected to the middle of the spray arm, and the shape of the spray arm gradually becomes thinner from the middle to both ends.

7. The medical waste treatment system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gripping device includes a mechanical base; The first mechanical arm and the second mechanical arm are installed together on the mechanical base; A clamping mechanism is provided at the end of each of the first and second robotic arms, and the clamping mechanism includes: A gripper seat, mounted on the ends of the first robotic arm and the second robotic arm; Two symmetrically arranged gear arms, each comprising a gear portion hinged to the clamping jaw seat and a swing arm portion extending from the gear portion; Two symmetrically arranged clamping claw rods, the distal ends of the clamping claw rods forming claw heads for grasping the medical waste, the proximal ends of the clamping claw rods being hinged to the distal ends of the swing arm portions, and the proximal ends and middle portions of the clamping claw rods being connected to the clamping claw bases respectively via hinged connecting rods; The clamping jaw driver is arranged on the clamping jaw seat and is used for simultaneously driving the two symmetrically arranged gear arms to swing relative to or in the opposite direction.

8. The medical waste treatment system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of storage containers include a sharps box, which is arranged adjacent to the shearing device and is used to store the infusion needles of the infusion bag and the needle tips of the syringes. The sharps box is provided with a compartment door for closing the box opening of the sharps box; A lower partition is provided in the processing chamber; The processing space is formed above the lower partition, and the grabbing device, the shearing device and the spraying device are all located in the processing space; A waste recovery space is formed below the lower partition plate, and a plurality of infectious waste barrels are arranged in the waste recovery space.

9. The medical waste treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The shearing device comprises: The third robotic arm; A scissor mechanism is provided at the end of the third robotic arm, and the scissor mechanism includes: a connecting rod driving mechanism, provided at the end of the third mechanical arm; The first blade body and the second blade body are symmetrically arranged and mounted on the connecting rod driving mechanism, and are used to move synchronously in relative or opposite directions under the drive of the connecting rod driving mechanism.

10. The medical waste treatment system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The end of the third robotic arm is also provided with a high-pressure spraying device for spraying disinfectant at high pressure; The nozzle of the high-pressure injection device is directed toward the symmetrical center line of the first blade body and the second blade body; When the first blade body and the second blade body are close to each other, the high-pressure spraying device is used to spray disinfectant toward the closed area between the first blade body and the second blade body; When the first blade body and the second blade body are away from each other, the high-pressure spraying device is used to locally spray disinfectant onto the inner wall of the processing chamber.

Images