Eductor Device for Waste Fluid Disposal via Venturi Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for disposing of waste fluids generated during medical procedures are costly due to weight-based disposal fees, and methods like pouring fluids down the sanitary drain pose safety risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using an eductor device with a venturi system and flow control mechanism to transport waste fluids from a receptacle to a sanitary sewer, minimizing weight and exposure risks by using pressurized water to create suction and a flap for directional control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If waste fluids are poured out of the container down the sanitary drain, then disposal costs are minimized, but employee safety is compromised due to aerosol dispersion and spilling
Solution Approach 1:
A venturi device is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the waste fluid container and the sanitary drain. The venturi device uses pressurized water flow to create a vacuum that draws waste fluids through a controlled path, preventing direct pouring and eliminating the need for employee proximity to the fluid during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs hydraulic principles by using pressurized water flowing through the venturi device to generate a vacuum effect. This pneumatic-hydraulic mechanism automatically draws waste fluids from the container through the venturi and directs them into the sanitary drain without manual intervention, thereby protecting employee safety while maintaining cost-effective disposal.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If waste fluids are disposed of together with the container, then employee safety is maintained, but disposal costs increase due to weight-based pricing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the waste fluid from the container separately using the venturi device. By pulling the fluid through the venturi system and directing it to the sanitary drain, the fluid is removed from the disposal stream while the container can be disposed of separately or reused, significantly reducing the weight subject to disposal fees.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables recovery of the container by separating the waste fluid disposal from the container disposal. The venturi device facilitates complete fluid removal, allowing the container to be reused or disposed of without the heavy fluid weight, thereby reducing disposal costs while maintaining safety through proper fluid handling.
3Reliability
If waste fluids are solidified, then they become non-infectious or viscous, but disposal costs increase due to significant weight
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the chemical solidification process with a mechanical-hydraulic system. Instead of using chemicals to solidify and neutralize the waste fluid, the venturi device mechanically draws the fluid through pressurized water flow and directs it to the sanitary drain, eliminating the need for solidification chemicals and the associated weight increase.
4Productivity
If a venturi device is used to remove waste fluids, then fluid transport is effective, but device complexity increases compared to simple pouring
Solution Approach 1:
The venturi device is designed to operate automatically using the existing hospital water supply system. The pressurized water from the building's plumbing system flows through the venturi, automatically generating the vacuum needed to draw waste fluids from the container. This self-service operation eliminates the need for external power sources, pumps, or complex control systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high fluid transport efficiency.
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
Reduces disposal costs by minimizing weight and ensures safe handling by allowing fluid transport directly into the sanitary sewer system without direct worker exposure, maintaining efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Pinder, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,038, utilizes pressurized water and a venturi device to remove surgical waste fluids from a container and transport the fluids into a sanitary drain
Implementation Method 2
An apparatus using an eductor device with a venturi system to transport waste fluids from a receptacle to a sanitary sewer
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for disposing of waste fluids includes a conduit system adapted to transport waste fluid from a receptacle to a sanitary sewer using an eductor having a venturi device. The conduit system includes first and second conduits. First and second connectors are used to connect the first conduit to the second conduit. The second connector includes a flap that acts as a check valve.