Autonomous Medical Waste Collection Docking for Hands-Free Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical waste collection devices require hospital personnel to manually move and empty them, which is time-consuming and disrupts medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous medical waste collection assembly that navigates to a docking station to autonomously offload and dispose of medical waste, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual waste collection devices are used, then hospital personnel can directly control the collection process, but personnel must suspend their duties to move and empty the devices, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device autonomously navigates to the disposal station, docks itself, and completes the waste emptying and cleaning processes without human intervention. The system self-manages the entire disposal workflow including movement, docking, waste transfer, and cleaning cycle initiation
Solution Approach 2:
The waste collection system is divided into separate functional modules: a mobile robotic collection unit and a stationary disposal station. This segmentation allows the collection device to focus on waste gathering while the disposal station handles emptying and cleaning, enabling parallel operations and eliminating personnel downtime
2Ease of manufacture
If manual waste collection devices are used, then the collection process can be performed, but the time required to move and empty devices increases the overall process time
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device autonomously navigates to the disposal station before being needed again for collection, and the disposal station prepares receiving systems in advance. This preliminary positioning and preparation eliminates waiting time in the operational cycle
Solution Approach 2:
While one robotic device is being emptied and cleaned at the disposal station, another device can simultaneously perform waste collection duties. The system maintains continuous operational capability through parallel processing, ensuring that collection activities are not interrupted by disposal operations
3Ease of operation
If battery-powered autonomous devices are used, then manual movement is eliminated, but the devices require charging which requires additional time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The disposal station integrates multiple functions including waste reception, cleaning, and battery charging into a single unified system. When the robotic device docks at the disposal station for waste emptying, the charging process occurs simultaneously through an integrated charging port, combining previously separate operations into one concurrent process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The autonomous system efficiently collects and disposes of medical waste, reducing the workload for hospital personnel and minimizing disruptions during medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The suction pump is in fluid communication with the canister and configured to draw a suction on the canister
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous medical waste collection assembly. A base supports a waste canister in fluid communication with a manifold receiver, and a suction pump. A controller is in electronic communication with a powered wheel and configured to transmit a movement signal for a motor to power the powered wheel to move the assembly along a floor surface. The assembly may be operable in an autonomous mode in which the powered wheel automatically moves the assembly along the floor surface, and a manual mode in which resistance from the powered wheel is negated to provide for manual movement of the assembly. The controller may be further configured to steer the assembly based on a current location input signal, and a disposal location input signal from a locator network within the medical facility that is indicative of a location of a disposal station.