Ceiling Boom Medical Waste Management for In-Situ Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical waste management systems occupy valuable floor space in operating rooms and require cumbersome transport for disposal and cleaning, disrupting hospital operations.
Innovation Solution
A medical waste management system integrated with a medical facility, featuring a boom secured to a fixed structure with a waste container and vacuum pump, allowing for in-situ disposal and cleaning without the need for cart transport, and including a mobile cart for flexible positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wheeled cart is used to support the waste collection assembly, then portability and flexibility in positioning are improved, but the footprint occupies valuable floor space within the operating room
Solution Approach 1:
The waste collection assembly is suspended from the ceiling using a boom mechanism, transitioning from floor-based support to overhead support. This utilizes the vertical dimension and unused ceiling space, eliminating the need for floor space while maintaining positioning flexibility through the boom's articulation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a fixed ceiling-mounted version and a mobile cart version with complementary coupling mechanisms, allowing the facility to have both permanent overhead installation and portable backup units, effectively copying the functionality across different deployment scenarios.
2Area of stationary object
If the waste collection assembly is integrated fixedly within the medical facility, then floor space is preserved, but the system complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The waste collection system is divided into modular components: a ceiling-mounted boom mechanism, a separate waste container, and a mobile cart with complementary coupling mechanisms. This segmentation allows for flexible installation options where facilities can choose between fixed overhead integration or mobile deployment, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The complementary coupling mechanisms enable the waste container to be operably coupled to either the fixed boom or the mobile cart, creating a universal interface that supports multiple deployment configurations and simplifies installation decisions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the waste container is disposed on a mobile cart, then flexibility in positioning is improved, but operational downtime increases due to transport requirements for disposal and cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile cart is equipped with an integrated vacuum pump that enables the waste container to be emptied directly at the point of use. This self-service capability eliminates the need to transport the container to separate disposal or cleaning locations, significantly reducing operational downtime while maintaining positioning flexibility.
4Area of stationary object
If a fixed boom system is used, then floor space is preserved, but the system lacks the mobility needed for flexible positioning during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides both a fixed ceiling-mounted boom version and a mobile cart version with complementary coupling mechanisms, allowing facilities to have permanent overhead installations for fixed positioning and mobile backup units for flexible repositioning needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The boom mechanism incorporates articulation points that allow dynamic adjustment of the waste container position in multiple directions, providing flexibility comparable to mobile systems while maintaining the space-saving fixed overhead installation.
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
Preserves floor space, reduces operational downtime, and enhances efficiency by enabling in-situ disposal and cleaning of medical waste, minimizing disruption to hospital operations.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid waste material is received through a suction line under the influence of a vacuum provided by a vacuum pump
Implementation Method 2
The liquid waste material is received through a suction line under the influence of a vacuum provided by a vacuum pump
Implementation Method 3
The offload pump is operable to draw another vacuum through the discharge line such that the liquid waste material collected in the waste volume is directed to a disposal system integrated with the medical facility
Data Source
AI summary
A medical waste management system including a boom secured to a fixed structure of a medical facility. A waste container defines a waste volume sized to collect liquid waste material received through a suction line under the influence of a vacuum provided by a vacuum pump. The system may include a service head coupled to the boom and including the waste container. A vacuum port is in fluid communication with the waste volume, and discharge and/or cleaning ports also in communication with the waste volume may be provided. The vacuum pump may be integrated with the medical facility, and the system may include an offload pump Integrated with the medical facility and in communication with the discharge port. The waste container may be supported on a mobile cart configured to be removably coupled with the boom. The system may further include a liquid measuring system coupled to the waste container.