Collapsible Fluid Collection Liner for Safer Medical Waste Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid waste collection and disposal systems in healthcare settings are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and increase the risk of exposure to hazardous waste due to the need for frequent handling and transportation of suction canisters.
Innovation Solution
A fluid collection system utilizing disposable flexible liners with a lid that automatically connects to a suction source, combined with a mobile waste disposal system featuring a suction source, backflow preventer, and a piston assembly with an Ultra High Molecular Weight scraper ring, which reduces the volume of medical waste and minimizes exposure risks by providing a sealed and efficient disposal process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional suction canisters are used for liquid waste collection, then the system is simple in structure, but the system requires frequent manual handling and transportation which increases labor intensity and exposure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible liner is nested within the rigid container, creating a disposable inner liner that can be removed and replaced without disposing of the entire container. This nesting approach reduces labor intensity by allowing selective replacement of only the contaminated liner while keeping the reusable container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs disposable flexible liners that are discarded after single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and disinfection of the entire canister. This disposable approach significantly reduces labor intensity and time associated with maintaining reusable containers while minimizing exposure risk to hazardous waste.
2Productivity
If traditional suction canisters are used, then the system is easy to manufacture, but the system requires time-consuming emptying, cleaning, and disinfection after each procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible liner is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use, completely eliminating the time-consuming processes of emptying, cleaning, and disinfecting traditional reusable canisters. This dramatically improves productivity by allowing immediate replacement with a fresh liner.
Solution Approach 2:
The contaminant-containing liner is extracted and removed from the reusable container structure, separating the disposable waste-holding component from the permanent container. This extraction allows the container to be rapidly prepared for reuse without extensive cleaning procedures.
3Ease of operation
If traditional suction canisters are transported to utility areas for disposal, then the collection process is simple, but the frequency of transportation increases clinicians' risk of exposure to hazardous waste
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible liner is nested within the rigid container with integrated sealing mechanisms, allowing the liner to be securely sealed and disposed of in place or with minimal handling. This nesting design reduces the need for frequent transportation to utility areas, thereby reducing exposure risk to clinicians.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable liner can be sealed and disposed of more frequently in smaller quantities, reducing the volume and frequency of hazardous waste transportation. This approach minimizes clinician exposure while maintaining operational convenience.
4Volume of moving object
If the flexible liner collapses during fluid removal, then the collection volume decreases, but the fluid flow may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid container provides structural support that counteracts the collapsing tendency of the flexible liner during fluid removal. This anti-weight support maintains the liner's shape and prevents obstruction of fluid flow while allowing maximum collection volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible liner is designed with appropriate material properties and structural features that maintain its shape and openness during fluid removal, preventing collapse and obstruction while maximizing collection volume. The flexible material conforms to the container shape while maintaining flow pathways.
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 system enhances labor efficiency, safety, and convenience by reducing the volume of medical waste, minimizing exposure to hazardous materials, and facilitating a clean and efficient disposal process.
Implementation Method 1
A typical suction canister is a temporary storage container that uses suction to create a negative pressure inside the canister to drain liquids or secretions from the patients' body
Implementation Method 2
a piston assembly with an Ultra High Molecular Weight scraper ring, which reduces the volume of medical waste
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid collection system includes a disposable collection container and a disposable collection container receiving housing, the housing having a cavity and a suction source. The fluid collection container may include a flexible liner and a shelf for diverting fluid from the suction and to assist with a collapse of the liner during evacuation of the fluid from the liner. The collection container receiving housing may include a piston assembly having a main piston body and a scraper ring. The collection container receiving housing may include a piston stop feature. The system may include a partially hydrophobic filter and a flat surface suction tool.