HIGH FLOW DISTRIBUTORS

Description

PRIORITY APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 467,307, filed March 23, 2017.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to high flow manifolds for collecting and disposing of medical waste.BACKGROUND

[0003] Various forms of liquid medical wastes are commonly produced in surgery and other medical procedures. Such wastes may include blood and other body fluids of patients. The wastes may also include solid particles such as fragments of bone or cartilage. Some procedures produce a high volume of such waste from a single patient. For example, saline solution is used to irrigate the knee area during arthroscopic procedures. As another example, saline solution is used to flush the bladder, urethra and / or prostate in some urology procedures. Such procedures may produce as much as 30,000 cc of liquid medical waste.

[0004] Liquid medical waste generates significant disposal problems due to its possible contamination with various infectious diseases, including AIDS, hepatitis and MRSA. As a result, rules and regulations for the handling and disposal of liquid medical waste have been imposed by various governmental and regulatory agencies. For example, new regulations require the use of engineering controls to protect employees from exposure. In addition, hospitals and other health care facilities have been searching for methods and systems that reduce hospital personnel's exposure to the fluids during collection, handling and disposal. Procedures that produce large volumes of liquid medical waste amplify these issues and concerns.

[0005] Various systems and methods have been used for collecting, handling and disposing of fluids from procedures that produce large volumes of liquid medical waste. The collection vessels vary from simple buckets to automated, electronically controlled processing equipment.

[0006] Systems comprising a vacuum source and suction canisters are commonly used to aspirate fluids from patients during surgical procedures. Such suction canisters can range in volume from around 1200 cc to around 3000 cc. A suction canister can feature a removable lid or manifold with a vacuum port and a patient or suction port. During a surgical procedure, the vacuum port is connected by flexible tubing to a hospital vacuum source while the suction port is connected by a second flexible tube to the region of the patient from which the fluid wastes are collected. The removable manifold can have a filter associated with the vacuum port that can increase the safety of systems employing suction canisters by shutting off a canister's vacuum supply when wet and preventing contamination of the vacuum supply system. Conversely, such filters also limit flow performance of the manifold. Relevant prior art can be found in US 4 487 606 A and US 2014 / 074053 A1.SUMMARY

[0007] The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that a problem to be solved can include the need for single-use manifolds for medical waste fluid collection systems that have more secure filters and that increase flow performance without additional cost. The present subject matter can help provide a solution to this problem, providing a system as defined in appended claim 1.

[0008] The present description also provides for a device (not claimed) that can be formed by a process comprising the steps of providing or obtaining a manifold, the manifold comprising a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface in a first direction, the manifold defining a manifold chamber, the top surface comprising an inlet port and a vacuum port disposed therein, the inlet port configured to connect to a source of medical waste fluid, the vacuum port configured to connect to a vacuum source, the manifold formed from a first polymer; providing or obtaining a filter formed from a second polymer, wherein the filter and a circumferential surface of the vacuum port are rotationally symmetric with respect to each other; and rotating the one of the filter and the manifold relative to the other to fuse the filter and the manifold along a fused interface.

[0009] The present description also provides for a method (not claimed) that can comprise the steps of removing a first filter from a manifold, the manifold comprising: a manifold housing comprising a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface in a first direction, the manifold housing defining a manifold chamber, the top surface comprising an inlet port and a vacuum port disposed therein, the inlet port configured to connect to a source of medical waste fluid, the vacuum port configured to connect to a vacuum source, the manifold housing formed from a first polymer; the first filter coupled to and in communication with the vacuum port and extending away from the top surface in the first direction; washing the manifold; disinfecting the manifold; and coupling a second filter to the vacuum port to form a recycled manifold.

[0010] This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of the present patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detailed description is included to provide further information about the present patent application.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document. Figure 1 provides a top perspective view of an exemplary system according to the present subject matter. Figure 2 provides an exploded view of the system of Figure 1. Figure 3 provides a side cross-sectional view of the system of Figure 1. Figure 4 provides a bottom perspective view of the system of Figure 1 without a filter installed. Figure 5 provides a bottom perspective view of the system of Figure 1 with a filter installed. Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for reprocessing or recycling a manifold according to the present subject matter. Figure 7 is a schematic showing one example of spin welding of a first part and a second part according to the present subject matter. Figure 8 is a schematic showing one example of spin welding a filter and a manifold according to the present subject matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The present description relates to a system 100 for guiding medical waste fluid into a medical waste collection canister. As illustrated in the various views of Figures 1-5, the system 100 comprises a manifold 102 and a filter 114. The manifold 102 comprises a top surface 104 and a sidewall 106 extending from the top surface 104 in a first direction. The top surface 104 and the sidewall 106 define an interior chamber 108 of the manifold 102. The top surface 104 comprises an inlet port 110 and a vacuum port 112 disposed therein. The inlet port 110 is configured to connect to a source of medical waste fluid. The inlet port 110 can comprise a plurality of inlet ports. The vacuum port 112 is configured to connect to a vacuum source. The manifold 102 is formed from a first polymer. At least one, and optionally each, of the inlet port 110 and vacuum port 112 can comprise a cap 122 removably securable thereto. The cap 122 can be coupled to the manifold 102 via a tether 124. The system 100 can further comprise a manifold cap 126 that is removably coupleable to the free end of the sidewall 106. The system 100 is adapted to be secured to the medical waste collection canister, and the canister is coupled to a fluid waste collection cart / station.

[0013] A filter 114 is positioned within the interior chamber 108 of the manifold 102 and immediately upstream of the vacuum port 112 so as to filter air flowing into the vacuum port 112. The filter 114 extends away from the top surface 104 of the manifold 102 in the first direction and the filter 114 can be is formed from a second polymer. The filter can be a hydroscopic filter or the like. The inlet port 110 can extend from the top surface 104 of the manifold 102 in the first direction a distance greater than the filter 114 extends from the top surface 104 in the same direction. The manifold 102 can lack any housing extending away from the top surface 104 of the manifold 102 adapted to house any portion of the filter. The manifold 120 can lack any features to mechanically couple the filter 114 thereto such as, for example and without limitation, rings, ribs, threads, tabs, bayonet mounts, and the like. As such, the filter 114 is entirely exposed to the interior chamber 108 except at the fused interface 116 and does not move with respect to the manifold 102 when the manifold is attached to the canister.

[0014] In one example, the first polymer or the second polymer can comprise a thermoplastic polymer. In a further aspect, the first polymer or the second polymer can comprise polyethylene. In an additional or alternative aspect, the first polymer can comprise high density polyethylene and the second polymer can comprise super high density polyethylene. High density polyethylene and super high density polyethylene can be substantially similar materials.

[0015] The filter 114 is fused to a surface of the interior chamber 108 of the manifold 102 or a peripheral surface of the vacuum port 112 so as to form a fused interface 116, and not merely a press fit connection. The fused interface 116 can be one or more of circular, radially symmetric, or irregular. The fused interface 116 can comprise a chemical bond between the first polymer and the second polymer. Additionally or alternatively, the fused interface 116 can be formed by fusion and, more particularly, heating at least a portion of the filter 114, at least a portion of the manifold 102, or a portion of each of the filter 114 and manifold 102 to a viscous state and physically causing the polymer chains to interdiffuse, such diffusion optionally being facilitated via the application of pressure. The fused interface 116 can be formed by processes such as, but not limited to, direct heating, induced heating, and frictional heating. Direct heating can include heated tool welding, hot plate welding, resistance welding, infrared welding, laser welding, and the like. Induced heating can include induction welding, radiofrequency welding, microwave welding, and the like. Frictional heating can include ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, spin welding, and the like. In one example, the fused interface can be a hermetic interface.

[0016] In one example illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the fused interface can be formed by spin welding the filter to the manifold. Spin welding can comprise rapid rotation of a first part 702 comprising a first polymer and coupled to a spinning tool 704 with respect to a second part 706 comprising a second polymer and coupled to a stationary fixture 708 to form a fused interface 116 and join the first part 702 and the second part 706. In one example, spin welding comprises a process that fuses a cylindrical thermoplastic filter (e.g., filter 814) to a manifold (e.g., manifold 802) by spinning the circular filter rapidly against the manifold, or vice versa. The inventors have successfully fused a filter 814 to a manifold 802 by spin welding the filter material and the manifold material and achieved a strong bond or connection between the filter 814 and the manifold 802 that was stronger than a press-fit or friction-fit connection. Removing the filter 814 required the fused connection or interface to be broken in order to be removed. Also, the filter 814 was not damaged by the welding process. (Figure 8 does not show the stationary fixture to secure the manifold during the spin welding operation.)

[0017] In an additional or alternative example, the manifold 102 and the filter 114 can be monolithic such that the manifold 102 and the filter 114 are fused to form a unitary structure that comprises substantially the same composition throughout. Here, the fused interface 116 would not be substantially different than any other portion of the filter 114 or the manifold 102 as the manifold 102 and the filter 114 are formed from materials that are at least substantially similar.

[0018] The manifold 102 can further comprise a fastener for coupling the manifold to a canister or the like. To this end, the manifold can comprise a first tab 118 and, optionally, a second tab 120 extending radially outward from a circumferential edge of the manifold. The first tab 118 and the second tab 120 can be spaced apart along the circumferential edge of the manifold. The first tab 118 and the second tab 120 can comprise a bayonet mount.

[0019] The present description also provides for a device that can be formed by a process comprising the steps of providing or obtaining a manifold 102, the manifold 102 comprising a top surface 104 and a sidewall 106 extending from the top surface 104 in a first direction, the manifold 102 defining a manifold chamber 108, the top surface 104 comprising an inlet port 110 and a vacuum port 112 disposed therein, the inlet port 110 configured to connect to a source of medical waste fluid, the vacuum port 112 configured to connect to a vacuum source, the manifold 102 formed from a first polymer; providing or obtaining a filter 114 formed from a second polymer, wherein the filter 114 and a circumferential surface of the vacuum port 112 are rotationally symmetric with respect to each other; and rotating the one of the filter 114 and the manifold 102 relative to the other to fuse the filter 114 and the manifold 102 along a fused interface 116.

[0020] The present description also provides for a method that can comprise the steps of removing a first filter from a manifold, the manifold 102 comprising: a manifold housing comprising a top surface 104 and a sidewall 106 extending from the top surface 104 in a first direction, the manifold housing defining a manifold chamber 108, the top surface 104 comprising an inlet port 110 and a vacuum port 112 disposed therein, the inlet port 110 configured to connect to a source of medical waste fluid, the vacuum port 112 configured to connect to a vacuum source, the manifold housing formed from a first polymer; the first filter 114 coupled to and in communication with the vacuum port 112 and extending away from the top surface 104 in the first direction; washing the manifold 102; disinfecting the manifold 102; and coupling a second filter 114' to the vacuum port to form a recycled manifold 102'. The first filter 114 can be fused to the manifold 102 and removing the first filter 114 from the manifold 102 can comprise severing the first filter 114 from the manifold 102 or otherwise breaking a fused interface 116 between the first filter 114 and the manifold 102.

[0021] The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as "examples." Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described.

[0022] In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of "at least one" or "one or more." In this document, the term "or" is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B but not A," and "A and B," unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Also, in the following claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0023] The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiments.

Claims

1. A system (100) for guiding medical waste fluid into a medical waste collection canister during a surgical procedure, the system comprising: a manifold (102) comprising a top surface (104) and a sidewall (106) extending from the top surface (104) in a first direction, the top surface (104) and the sidewall (106) defining an interior chamber (108) of the manifold (102), wherein: the top surface (104) comprises an inlet port (110) and a vacuum port (112) disposed therein, the inlet port (110) is configured to connect to a source of medical waste fluid, the vacuum port (112) is configured to connect to a vacuum source, and and the manifold (102) is formed from a first polymer; a filter (114) positioned within the interior chamber (108) of the manifold (102) and immediately upstream of the vacuum port (112) so as to filter air flowing into the vacuum port (112), wherein the filter (114) extends away from the top surface (104) of the manifold (102) in the first direction, and wherein the filter (114) is formed from a second polymer; wherein the filter (114) is fused to a surface of the interior chamber (108) of the manifold (102) or a peripheral surface of the vacuum port (112) so as to form a fused interface (116), and not merely a press fit connection and the filter (114) is entirely exposed to the interior chamber (108) of the manifold (102) except at the fused interface (116).

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the fused interface (116) is formed by spin welding the filter to the manifold, spin welding comprising rapid rotation of the filter and the manifold with respect to each other, so as to melt and chemically bond the first polymer and the second polymer.

3. The system of any of claims 1-2, wherein the inlet port (110) extends from the top surface (104) of the manifold (102) in the first direction a distance greater than the filter (114) extends from the top surface (104) of the manifold (102) in the first direction.

4. The system of any of claims 1-3, wherein the fused interface (116) comprises a hermetic interface.

5. The system of any of claims 1-4, wherein the first polymer or the second polymer is a thermoplastic polymer.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first polymer or the second polymer comprises polyethylene.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first polymer and the second polymer comprise polyethylene.

8. The system of any of claims 1-7, wherein the filter (114) is a hygroscopic filter.

9. The system of any of claims 1-8, wherein the manifold (102) and the filter (114) are monolithic.

10. The system of any of claims 1-9, wherein a fused interface (116) of the filter (114) and peripheral surface of the vacuum port (112) is circular.

11. The system of any of claims 1-10, wherein the manifold (102) further comprises a first tab extending radially outward from a circumferential edge of the manifold.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the manifold (102) further comprises a second tab extending radially outward from the circumferential edge of the manifold, wherein the first tab and the second tab are spaced apart along the circumferential edge of the manifold.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first tab and the second tab comprise a bayonet mount.

14. The system of any of claims 1-13, wherein the inlet port (110) further comprises a plurality of inlet ports.

15. The system of any of claims 1-17, wherein the inlet port or the vacuum port further comprises a cap removably securable thereto and optionally wherein the cap is coupled to the manifold via a tether.