Manifold Filter Basket Fluid Bypass for Medical Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manifold and filter assemblies for medical waste collection units often become clogged, causing backup of medical waste to the inlet ports, which disrupts the flow of waste into the collection unit.
Innovation Solution
A manifold and filter assembly with a filter basket and a fluid bypass that allows medical waste to flow over the peripheral wall and into the outlet, preventing backup and ensuring continuous flow even when the filter is filled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is used to remove solid and semi-solid material from medical waste, then the quality of waste flow is improved, but the filter becomes clogged and causes backup of medical waste to the inlet ports
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold housing is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that are separated by a partition wall. This segmentation allows waste to be routed through different pathways, preventing complete blockage when the filter becomes clogged. The filter is located in the first chamber, while the second and third chambers provide alternative flow paths that bypass the filter when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
A bypass channel is introduced as an intermediary pathway between the first chamber and the second chamber. This bypass channel allows medical waste to circumvent the filter when it becomes clogged, preventing waste backup to the inlet ports. The bypass acts as a mediator that maintains flow continuity when the primary filtration path is blocked.
2Ease of operation
If check valves are placed on inlet ports to establish unidirectional flow, then flow direction is controlled, but medical waste cannot reverse flow into inlet ports when filters are plugged
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold housing is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that are separated by a partition wall. This segmentation allows waste to be routed through different pathways, preventing complete blockage when the filter becomes clogged. The filter is located in the first chamber, while the second and third chambers provide alternative flow paths that bypass the filter when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
A bypass channel is introduced as an intermediary pathway between the first chamber and the second chamber. This bypass channel allows medical waste to circumvent the filter when it becomes clogged, preventing waste backup to the inlet ports. The bypass acts as a mediator that maintains flow continuity when the primary filtration path is blocked.
3Quantity of substance
If the manifold housing fills with medical waste when filters are plugged, then the filter function is exhausted, but the check valves prevent reverse flow into inlet ports
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold housing is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that are separated by a partition wall. This segmentation allows waste to be routed through different pathways, preventing complete blockage when the filter becomes clogged. The filter is located in the first chamber, while the second and third chambers provide alternative flow paths that bypass the filter when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
A bypass channel is introduced as an intermediary pathway between the first chamber and the second chamber. This bypass channel allows medical waste to circumvent the filter when it becomes clogged, preventing waste backup to the inlet ports. The bypass acts as a mediator that maintains flow continuity when the primary filtration path is blocked.
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 assembly prevents medical waste from backing up into the inlet ports, allowing uninterrupted flow of waste into the collection unit, even when the filter is filled, thus maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A filter basket having a bottom and a peripheral wall is mounted within the chamber. The filter basket includes a plurality of openings to filter the medical waste in the fluid path between the inlet and the outlet.
Implementation Method 2
The filter basket is spaced from the manifold housing to create a fluid bypass between the filter basket and the manifold housing. The fluid bypass is in fluid communication with the outlet whereby the medical waste can flow over the peripheral wall to the outlet through the fluid bypass.
Data Source
AI summary
A manifold and filter assembly for use with a waste collection unit is provided. The manifold and filter assembly directs and filters medical waste flowing into the waste collection unit. The manifold and filter assembly comprises a manifold body defining a chamber and an outlet for directing the medical waste into the waste collection unit. A manifold cap is fitted to the manifold body to close the chamber. The manifold cap defines a plurality of inlets for receiving the medical waste. A filter basket having a bottom and a peripheral wall defining a plurality of openings is snap-locked to the manifold body. The filter basket is positioned such that a fluid bypass is formed between the filter basket and the manifold body and between the filter basket and the manifold cap. The fluid bypass is in fluid communication with the outlet whereby the medical waste can flow over the peripheral wall to the outlet through the fluid bypass.